British PM apologises as Conservatives suffer huge defeat in local polls
LONDON - After a bruising defeat in the local elections that saw hundreds of Conservative councilors lose their seats, Prime Minister David Cameron Friday apologized to his partymen as the Labour party seemed set to win a thumping majority.
According to the results declared so far, Labour had already claimed 776 seats as the Tories lost 397 councillors - more than a third of their regional power. Lib Dems had lost 309 seats.
Labour had gained 29 councils, while the Tories lost 12 and its ally Lib Dems lost one council.
Apologising for the drubbing, Cameron said the elections had taken place against a "difficult national backdrop" but insisted his government was doing the "right thing" for the country through spending cuts.
He insisted he would continue to make the "difficult decisions" needed to deal with Britain's debt.
Foreign Secretary William Hague sought to play down the defeat, saying it was "perfectly common" for governments to suffer losses at mid-term local elections.
"You wouldn't look at this and say Labour was on track to win a general election," he told BBC radio.
A national vote will be held in 2015.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Ed Miliband was surrounded by jubilant party workers and supporters as news of the victories poured in.
The Labour party won key councils such as Southampton, Birmingham, Plymouth, Reading, Norwich, Thurrock and Harlow, in the South of England. They also made strong gains in Wales.
Speaking outside his home, Miliband said: "We are a party winning back people's trust, regaining ground, but there is more work to do. ..I am determined that we can deliver Britain the change it needs."
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