Labour looks set to emerge as the big winner from yesterday's local government elections, with the party poised to gain around 700 local seats and control of 20 major authorities, including Birmingham and a string of councils in southern England.

Based on official results so far, the Labour Party is projected to end up with a 39% national share of the vote, an increase of three points, with the Conservatives taking 31%, a decrease of four points. The Liberal Democrat share of yesterday's vote is expected to remain stable, at around 16%.