Labour elections wins 'vindicate Miliband's leadership'
Labour's gains across the country are a "vindication" of Ed Miliband's vision for the party, according to his former leadership rival Diane Abbott.
Labour won over 800 council seats in England, Wales and Scotland in Thursday's elections, with Mr Miliband proclaiming his party was “back across the country”.
Overall the party gained 823 seats, and seized control of an additional 30 authorities, including Plymouth, Birmingham and Southampton. They also regained control of Glasgow City Council, despite a strong showing across Scotland from the SNP.
Shadow health minister Ms Abbott said the "very good" result vindicated Mr Miliband's leadership.
"I think that Ed doesn’t get credit for leading a united party, and also for being willing to learn the lessons of the 2010 defeat," she told BBC News this morning.
"There is no doubt, as you go around the country, people are warming to Ed, and they are clear that the Tories' plan A isn’t working on the economy, and they have no plan B."