By Claire McWethy, Rosie Taylor and Carri-Ann Taylor.
LIVE BLOG
This blog will update you on the developments from the electoral count as they happen, written by our journalists at the counting facility. Please refresh for updates.
3.40 Right that’s it from Claire, Rosie and Carri-Ann. Thanks all for following us – check out the site tomorrow for full reports on the result and updates on the AV count.
03.37 The AV results will not be known until later this week, we are told.
03.33 Few left here at the English Institute of Sport. Paul Scriven, the dejected Liberal Democrat leader is talking to our reporters while victorious Labour candidates file out.
03.24 In total, we make it nine out of fifteen seats lost by the Lib Dems. It seems as though the Clegg-effect has well and truly taken its toll on the city. The unexpected result of tonight is not so much the Lib Dems losing seats, but the sheer amount they lost by. Even the Conservative Party overtook them in many wards, despite being a near non-entity in Sheffield politics.
03.23 Our reporters are on hand ready to get reaction from Labour leader Julie Dore. Elated no doubt.
03.21 So there you have it. The Lib Dems only held six seats in Sheffield tonight and Labour take control of the city’s council.
03.19 And it’s a Lib Dem hold. But that will do little to console the party.
03.18 Last result now, for typically Lib Dem Ecclesfield, which way will it go?
03.17 The Liberal Democrats keep their safe seat in Fulwood.
03.15 The Labour leader Julie Dore is on stage on behalf of John Robson, who has kept Arbourthorne for Labour.
03.13 Ibrar Hussain keeps Burngreave for Labour. Also quite a lot of success for Trade Unionist and Socialist Party Against Cuts, with 831 votes to the Lib Dems’ 230.
03.11 Walkey now, another key ward, which has been won from Liberal Democrat Penny Baker by Labour. Walkey last voted Lib Dem but the candidate, Ben Curran, later defected to Labour. Much as this ward has…
03.10 No change there, this is the most affluent ward in Sheffield and traditionally votes Lib Dem, followed by Conservative.
03.09 Dore and Totley and the Conservatives’ only chance in Sheffield now…
03.08 With 2,497 votes Labour have taken West Ecclesfield, with the Lib Dems polling 2,308. This is looking to be a landslide.
03.06 Lib Dems have held Stannington ward. Amazingly there were only 5 votes in it. A very close call for the Liberals.
03.04 Broomhill is a traditional Lib Dem ward with 40% of their electorate students. They have just lost it to the Labour, which is a massive loss for the party.
03.03 The only two wards to have BNP candidates were Beauchielf and Greenhill and East Ecclesfield. They were booed as their results were announced. The polled 262 and 385 votes respectively.
03.02 East Ecclesfield has been taken from the Lib Dems by Labour.
03.00 Beauchief and Greenhill, a safe Lib Dem ward, is held by Simon Clement-Jones. It doesn’t seem as though many Lib Dems are here to watch it though.
02.57 Labour stronghold, Darnall is held by Harry Harpham. No surprises as Lib Dems suffer heavy losses.
02.55 The only ward to return a Green councillor now, as Central’s results are announced. Jillian Creasy, leader of the Greens has kept her seat, winning by a narrow margin of 207 votes. Great news for her, and great news for the Greens.
02.54 The returning officer is asking for quiet as he announces the results for Mosborough ward. Labour hold after gaining the seat from the Lib Dems last year.
02.53 In Stocksbridge and Upper Don, Labour gain from Lib Dems.
LABOUR NOW HAVE ENOUGH SEATS FOR OVERALL CONTROL OF THE COUNCIL
02.50 Hillsborough now, and the arena is filled with applause as Labour take a seat from Lib Dem Steve Ayris. Labour did win last year but by less than 50 votes. This time round they’ve won by nearly 2000.
02.48 A runaway win in Manor Castle for Labour Jenny Armstrong. Labour hold.
02.46 A close call in Lib Dem Graves Park. The Liberals got 2,621 votes to Labour’s 2,485, allowing Ian Auckland to keep his seat. This is the first seat the Lib Dems have managed to hold on to.
02.43 Crookes now and Labour are ecstatic. This major student ward has been taken by Geoff Smith with 2,916 votes to the Lib Dems’ 2,397. Around 500 votes in it but another key win for Labour.
02.42 Mick Rooney has kept his seat in Woodhouse with 3,057 votes. No surprises there. But UKIP have overtaken the Lib Dems with 638 votes to the Lib Dems’ 505.
02.38 In a massive blow for the Lib Dems, Nether Edge has been taken by Labour. Great result for the Greens with 1,505 votes, but awful for the Lib Dems who lose a safe seat.
02.37 Denise Fox keeps her seat in Birley with 3,250 votes. Again, typically a Labour war but the Tories have overtaken the Lib Dems as the second party.
02.35 Another traditionally Labour ward, Beighton, has been held, with 2,986 votes for Chris Rosling-Josephs. The Conservatives have overtaken the Lib Dems as the second highest polling party here.
02.32 Richmond has returned Labour councillor John Campbell to the city hall. Richmond has always been a Labour strong-hold.
02.29 Gleadless Valley, a key swing ward, has gone to Labour from the Liberal Democrats. Denise Reaney was not there to watch as she lost her seat with 1845 votes to Labour’s 3,186.
02.28 Firth Park has been held by Labour with a massive majority.
02.26 Shiregreen and Brightside has been held by Labour councillor Peter Price with 3,097 votes. The Lib Dems dropped from 1,275 votes last year, to 338.
02.25 Results about to come in…
02.23 Paul Blomfield has just said on BBC Radio Sheffield that Labour have won Crookes and are heading for a landslide.
02.20 The Labour candidate for Walkley is having her photo taken. Does this mean she’s also taken the seat? Generally alot of Labour happiness and not many Lib Dems to be seen.
02.16 Our reporters have heard that all the results are likely to come in at the same time. Surely not long off now. Prepare for some furious blogging…
02.14 The BBC are reporting that Labour are on course to replace the Conservatives as the single biggest party in Birmingham.
02.11 Spontaneous applause in one corner of the room. Either someone thinks they’ve won or they’re relieved the count is about to finish.
02.08 Also up on our website is JUS News’ interview with David Blunkett on the end of Cleggmania.
02.07 Our reporters interviewed Green party candidate Jillian Creasy earlier on in the night on the Greens’ prospects for the election. For a full interview go to JUS News
02.00 And…still just one result.
01.59 Some bored counters at Firth Park table are knocking back the boiled sweets.
01.56 Labour have started slow clapping. Clearly bored waiting for the results.
01.52 Many of the counters are packing up and look to be leaving (maybe they aren’t interested in the results!). Still counting in Firth Park, Fulwood and East Ecclesfield, by wearier looking colleagues.
01.47 We have just been told to expect the results of nine wards to be announced concurrently.
01.46 Things not looking good for the Lib Dems elsewhere in Yorkshire. 10 out of 12 seats in Hull have been lost to Labour.
01.43 Around half the tables have stopped counting but furious re-counts are going on elsewhere. Lots of Labour supporters are gathered round the stage in anticipation.
01.37 A nervous looking Andrew Sangar is watching the votes being counted at the Fulwood table. The Liberal Democrats have three seats in the ward so it would be a huge blow if he lost his seat tonight. The ballots are still piled up so there’s no sign of a result soon.
01.32 Signing over to my capable colleague Claire McWethy who will take you through the next hour or so. I have been Carri-Ann Taylor
01:27 Lots of pensive looking people in yellow rosettes stood round the Graves Park counting table. It went to the Lib Dems last year by a 1100 vote majority. Surely this is a ward the Lib Dems need to hold on to.
01:21 Just been shown the interactive map being updated by JUS News.
01.21 Lots of movement towards the stage again…
01:13 Southey results in full. Labour 2927, Conservative 365, Lib Dem 403 and Green 347. 30% turnout this year down on 52% last year.
01:12 In Southey Lib Dem vote dropped from over 1300 last year to just 403 this year. Is this an indicator of things to come?
01:09 Southey has gone to Labour’s Leigh Bramall by a huge majority of 2927. He retains his seat
01:07 Oooo candidates for Southey are about to be announced. JUS News reporters on their way to the main stage.
VOTES ANNOUNCED
01:00 Blunkett Quotes:
“We now have to take a very deep breath and be very grateful and pleased that this will be the end of of Clegg-mania”
00:58 There are also votes tonight for Ecclesfield Parish Council and Stocksbridge Town Council
00:53 Lots of movement toward the front of the hall now. Representatives from 19 of the 28 wards have been called up
00:51 the JUS news team have just nabbed an interview with David Blunkett. Quotes coming soon!
00:50 Coming up with Lib Dem related headline puns for tomorrow’s front page… ‘Clegg on his face’ and ‘Limp Dem’ are current favourites
00:48 Results are taking a LONG time but cameras are now in place in front of the stage… could results be imminent? Your live blogging team hope so!
00:45 Jillian Creasy, Green candidate for Central ward is looking VERY nervous stood next to the Labour and Lib Dem councillors at the Central counting table. She is fighting to keep her seat after representing the ward for 7 years
00:45 Some very lost looking Labour councillors up in the Press gallery…
00:38: Deborah Linton from the Manchester Evening News has tweeted that things are not looking good for the Lib Dems on the other side of the Pennines:
“The lib dems are really worried in #manchester. Every seat is a concern…#manchester ballot boxes were feeling quite light-wonder what that says about turnout I’m hearing its pretty low.”
00:36 We have just spotted Julie Dore Sheffield Labour group leader although she seems to be refusing to take off her coat and looks a little bit like wants to leave
00:33 Results in detail will be up on JUS News
00.32: We are expecting results any minute now for Darnall, Nether Edge, Beauchief and Greenhill and Crookes
00:26 ANECDOTE ALERT… Our reporters have just spotted a councillor who will remain nameless… for now. They fobbed us off for an interview yesterday by saying they were in the shower at 5.30pm and could not speak to us until the next morning. We are pleased to report they look VERY clean this morning/evening.
00:22 All the late postal votes are now in and the full count is underway
00:19 Paul Blomfield the Sheffield Central MP has just arrived and is hobnobbing with Blunkett…
00:17 We have just spotted the first/only Conservatives of the night loitering at the back of the room…
00:16 Have taken over from my colleague Rosie, so am with you for the next hour folks…
00:07 I’m now handing the live blog over to my colleague Carri-Ann Taylor who will carry you through as the next hour or so. I’ve been Rosie Taylor – thanks for your interaction so far.
00:05 According to Scriven, the national debt is a “fire” and people are blaming the Lib Dems for starting it even though they are the “fire fighters”. So there you go.
00:00 Scriven told our reporters:
“We will be very disappointed if we lose some very dedicated councillors on the back of some very difficult decisions that had to be made at national level.
“Nick Clegg is a politician that is thinking about the future, I have every confidence in him. Judge the Lib Dems and Clegg in three of four years time.
“Labour are running a very negative campaign that vilifies the leader of our party. The local people of Sheffield may have voted for a Labour councillor tonight, but we have no idea what they are going to do. They have no vision for the city – all they are doing is vilifying the Lib Dem party.”
23: 59 JUS students nab an interview with Paul Scriven ahead of the BBC and the other major news providers – much to their annoyance!
23:57 Excitement as David Blunkett MP makes an appearance, guided by a black Labrador.
23:56 Listen live to the JUS news radio stream here – interviews with politicians, experts and our journalists at the count.
23:52 A big crowd of Labour supporters have gathered around the Walkley counting table – a seat which the Liberal Democrats won by less than 300 votes last year.
23:49 Paul Scriven – Lib Dem leader of the council – has made an appearance on the press balcony. He said the party being in government means you have to make difficult decisions and that he hoped everyone went out and exercised their democratic right to vote today.
23:46 Nick Robinson on the BBC has just announced the Lib Dems are expected to lose 12 out of 15 councillors in Sheffield.
23:44 JUS News has just interviewed Green candidate Jillian Creasy who is fighting to keep her seat in Central ward against stuff competition from Labour and the Lib Dems – full interview online shortly.
23:40 Adams says officers have been checking polling stations all day and drafting in more staff if there were any signs of queuing after last year’s fiasco.
23:38 Our JUS reporters on the floor have just spoken to Lee Adams, deputy chief executive acting as deputy returning officer today. She says the council have 1,000 people working for them today and that the operation has cost £600,000 – an additional £40,000 on last year because of the extra polling stations and staff in place at this election.
23:35 The Green Party have gathered at least half a dozen supporters around the counting table for the Broomhill ward. They are hoping to snatch a seat there from Lib Dem councillor Alan Whitehouse.
23:33 Joe Oliver, Education Officer at the University of Sheffield’s student union, predicts a Labour majority of eight seats. We’ll see if he’s right when results start coming in – we’re told it’ll be about an hour until the first ones.
23:29 All the ballot papers are in now. We’re waiting for the last few postal votes to be processed.
23:13 Lots of bored faces on several of the tables as the counting staff wait for ballot boxes to arrive, but the those counting teh Dore & Totley vote have just perked up as the first set arrives.
23:11 The first results are expected in about an hour – we’ll update you live as they come in.
23:10 @LabourList has tweeted Labour is “cautiously optimistic” about gaining the council here in Sheffield.
23:08 After the relative lull of the last hour the room has come alive – ballot boxes are now coming into the room in streams.
23:06 Spoke too soon – ballot boxes have arrived on the Broomhill table. Lib Dem supporters springing into action taking notes on the papers being counted.
23:03 Lots of yellow rosettes have started clustering around the Broomhill ward counting table although there is no sign of ballot boxes arriving yet. Students make up 40% of Broomhill constituents and anti-Lib Dem sentiment among those who are unhappy about increased tuition fees mean this traditional Lib Dem seat is no longer a safe bet.
23:01 Sheffield’s Lord Mayor Alan Law has been spotted on the floor of the count
22:59 Our interactive map of all the wards will be updated live as results come in. Check it out here.
22:53 See JUS News on whether the Lib Dems face a “meltdown” tonight
22:50 Lots of candidates and supporters gathered around the counting tables for Walkey, Gleadless Valley, East Ecclesfield, Nether Edge and Hillsborough – all key wards that could swing the vote.
22:49 So many journalists trying to get online at the EIS that our internet connection is very shaky – please bear with us with we sort out our technical problems!
22:35 BBC Look North has just been discussing whether Nick Clegg’s negative reputation in Sheffield will swing the vote towards Labour tonight. What are your thoughts? Tweet @taylor_rosie.
22:33 More and more ballot boxes are being brought in to the main hall where the count is taking place. Lots of nervous-looking candidates with rosettes hovering around the counting tables.
22:26 Ballot boxes have started arriving here at the EIS in Sheffield.
