Local election in quotes

Here is a selection of reactions by politicians to the results of Thursday's local elections in England.

GORDON BROWN, CHANCELLOR

"It's been a very disappointing night for all of us in the Labour Party.

"Looking back at the headlines over the last couple of weeks I think we can probably all understand why that has happened."

DAVID CAMERON, CONSERVATIVE LEADER

"I think this shows the Conservative Party is broadening its appeal, that it's attracting new voters, and I think we see a Labour Party that is in some sort of serious meltdown."

SIR MENZIES CAMPBELL, LIB DEM LEADER

"There is no doubt that our results have been mixed but I am not in any way down-hearted by these results.

This wasn't a test for me, it was a test for the party after the difficulties of the earlier part of this year. I think we have come through this test."

NICK GRIFFIN, BNP LEADER

"People wanted to kick the Labour Party and we're the politically incorrect way to do it."

FRANK DOBSON, EX-HEALTH SECRETARY, LABOUR

"All I would say to Labour backbenchers who have talked to me, including some who hitherto have been very, very loyal, is 'For God's sake, start saying to the prime minister privately, and, if he takes no notice, publicly, what you are saying in private'.

"Most of them are saying now that we've got to get the party under new management. It ought to happen fairly soon."

SOCIALIST CAMPAIGN GROUP

"The government's support is just draining away at successive elections and splintering to the smaller and even fascist parties.

"No number of reshuffles will address the crisis of confidence among our supporters in our leadership."

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