Labour can still go on to win a historic fourth term in Government despite their drubbing in the local elections, Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said. Mr Straw said that voters had wanted to "punish" Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Gordon Brown is said to be planning policy initiatives to help families struggling with rising prices and the credit crunch after declaring: 'I feel the hurt they feel.'
Press reports suggest he is planning to veto proposals for a national pay-as-you-throw bin scheme as part of a fightback strategy to woo voters who delivered Labour a bloody nose in Thursday's local elections.
Local council elections: background, news and analysis from MSN UK News
Rarely have local elections proved quite so punishing for the country's ruling party. As Labour reels from its dismal performance at the polls, MSN asks: what does it all mean?
Hunkered down in her political bunker, MSN UK News Editor Laura Snook peels the skin off this year's local elections and dissects the twisted guts within.
Labour has suffered its worst pummelling from voters in 40 years. Explore how the political make-up of England and Wales has changed with Windows Live Maps.
Vicious smears, verbal tussles and the potential to send the ruling party into a tailspin: not a scene from All The President’s Men, but a biopsy of this year’s local council elections. MSN UK News weighs up the importance of the local polls.
Explore some of the most hotly contested seats in this year's local council elections across England and Wales with Windows Live Maps.
The electoral system is at serious risk of large scale fraud, according to a new report. The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust report said far more needs to be done to ensure the integrity of the voting system.
Labour has suffered its worst pummelling at the polls in more than 40 years, but what did you make of the results? Join the debate here.
More on the local elections from across the web
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Local elections 2008
- Are local council elections important?
- Yes. It's the only way to influence the way your constituency is being run.
75% - No. Local councils don't have any real powers, so what's the point in voting?
20% - I'm not sure.
5%
- Yes. It's the only way to influence the way your constituency is being run.
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