'No evidence of Tory breakthrough'

Last updated at 11:38 11 June 2004


Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell says that there is "absolutely no evidence so far of the Tories making the kind of breakthrough that they would have to make in order to become a serious electoral threat to us in the next election."

Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten agreed the Conservatives were going nowhere.

"They have tried William Hague, they have tried IDS, they are now trying Michael Howard," Mr Oaten said.

"The problems is not the leader. The problem is actually the Conservative party itself."

Labour suffered heavy council losses regardless of the implications for the Westminster poll, expected in less than 12 months.

Speaking as polls closed at 10pm yesterday, Mr Blair sought to shrug off a poor showing in the council and European polls.

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