Tories give Labour worst drubbing in 40 years

From The Times:-

The Conservatives made sweeping gains across the country early today as voters gave Gordon Brown a huge rebuff in his first electoral test as Prime Minister.

David Cameron chalked up important successes in the North, the Midlands and the South, securing his top target of Bury in Greater Manchester and taking control of Nuneaton and Bedworth, and Southampton.

The Conservatives also took seats in Labour strongholds of Sunderland and Wigan

Comprehensive coverage of the England & Wales council elections in the Times.

Useful interactive graphic at the Guardian site and coverage as well.

Voters gave Labour the thumbs down in their traditional heartlands.

Hopefully, we will see a similar result come November. We can but hope.

Peter Brookes encapsulates the position in his cartoon

AN interesting comparison between Peter Brookes, The Times cartoonist on the UK local elections and Emmerson in the NZ Herald on 30 April