Local government elections in Britain have seen big gains by the UK Independence Party (UKIP), which wants to withdraw from the European Union (EU).   The Tories and coalition partner Lib-Dems are falling back.

Opinion polls done before the election show that the UKIP has siphoned support from all three main parties by tapping into discontent the EU and immigration, which some voters perceive is too high.  Most of the UKIP’s gains come at the expense of the Tories, with formerly Conservative councils falling to no overall control.  But in Essex, the UKIP took seats from Labour, which lost control of formerly safe territory.

Three Conservative backbenchers called for a general agreement with the UKIP, to avoid splitting the Euroskeptic vote.  But Tory party chairman Grant Shapps is ruling that out.  “We are a single party, no other party would have joint candidates.  It is not going to happen.  We are the Conservative party.  We are the best chance of offering an in/out referendum,” said Shapps.

Before the election, Labour expected to pick up 200 or more seats.  Hopes are being scaled back to around 150.  Although the party was underperforming, it did have some victories to crow about. The Cambridge council went to Labour, whereas it had previously been under no overall control.  Labour also seized control in Hammersmith and Fulham, previously a flagship Tory authority.