05 May 2017•Update: 05 May 2017
By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal
LONDON
Britain’s ruling Conservative Party made considerable gains in local elections on Friday as the populist UK Independence Party (UKIP) suffered a massive blow, according to incomplete results from across England, Scotland and Wales.
The results seen so far on Friday gave the Conservatives a clear lead, as polls had predicted, also delivering a blow to the main opposition Labour Party, which failed to make an impact on the ruling party ahead of June 8’s snap general election.
Prime Minister Theresa May’s party gained more than 300 extra council seats and at least two mayoralties in England, mostly benefiting from UKIP losses.
Results showed a loss of 144 seats for Labour -- only five weeks before the snap general election.
There were some positives for leader Jeremy Corbyn's party; former cabinet minister Andy Burnham was elected as Manchester’s first “metro mayor”.
However, Labour will be disappointed in its overall vote, especially in Scotland where again the Conservatives made gains, albeit from a low level of existing support.
UKIP lost almost all council seats the party had previously held. The party courted controversy during its campaign with suggestions it would ban the burka, a covering worn by some Muslim women.
In total, 4,851 representatives were to be chosen in 88 councils -- 34 in England, 32 in Scotland and 22 in Wales -- in what is considered a significant contest for political parties a month before the general election.
May called the snap June 8 poll to strengthen her mandate before the start of Brexit negotiations.
British voters last year decided to leave the European Union, ending the country’s 44-year membership.
