Labour 'could face double defeat'

With counting well underway in the Blaenau Gwent double by-election, reports suggest Labour could be heading for defeat in both seats.
BBC correspondents, quoting sources in opposition parties, say sampling indicates independents could return both the Welsh Assembly Member and MP.

Although the results were not initially expected until about 0300 BST, they could now be a couple of hours earlier.

The by-elections follow the death of independent AM and MP Peter Law.

There was a high turnout of 50.5% for the parliamentary ballot and 49.6% for the assembly vote.

At the last assembly election in 2003, turnout was 37.4%, which was slightly lower than the all-Wales figure of 38.2%.

It is an unprecedented situation in Wales, with two by-elections in the same constituency at the same time.

The first ballot boxes arrived at Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre shortly after polls shut at 2200 BST.

Independent parliamentary candidate Dai Davies said the independents had worked very hard and given the other parties something to think about.

Independent assembly candidate Trish Law said canvassing had been very positive, but she would not take anything for granted.

"I'm very pleased with my own way of doing this campaign and the New Labour party has had to work very hard for this seat," said Mrs Law.

The turnout in the seat in last year's general election was 66.1%, above the Welsh average of 62.4%.

This is only the second by-election since the assembly was founded in 1999. That was in Swansea East in September 2001, when Val Lloyd held the seat for Labour on a low turnout of 22.6%.

The last parliamentary by-election in Wales was for Ogmore in February 2002, when Huw Irranca-Davies held the seat for Labour on a turnout of just over 35%.

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