enough professionalism, commitment and flair. Elation from Labour and dismay from Conservative and Lib Dem councillors in Birmingham as the coalition suffers a series of defeats. 10.30 Nigel Farage of UKIP says the party has been boosted by the defection of former Tory councillors which has helped professionalise the organisation. People are voting against "open door" immigration and green taxes, as well as membership of the European Union. UKIP has won 7 seats, an increase of one. The party's strength and weakness is support is relatively uniform across the country, Farage says. A lack of concentrated support means it struggles to convert its growing support into seat. 10.19 Counting is underway in Scotland. In Edinburgh, the BBC says, "There is revenge in the air" for the bungled trams project that has left Scotland's capital with a building site through its centre and a hefty bill. The Lib Dems are bracing for losses, with the SNP set to be the main benefactors. The first results are due within an hour. Labour's Douglas Alexander tweets Labour has taken the Renfrew seat of Derek MacKay, the SNP's Party Chairman. He is also an MSP and was elected as a councillor aged 21 in 1999. It's a big scalp. 10.16 The Prime Minister has spoken. David Cameron has apologised to Conservative councillors who lost their seats as his party suffered an electoral backlash from voters. He said the elections took place against a "difficult national backdrop" but insisted the Government was doing the "right