Voters head to the polls in England on Thursday for local elections viewed as the final big test of public opinion ahead of the general election.
Elections are taking place in 107 local authorities across the country, with 2,636 seats up for grabs. Voters will also choose the mayor of London, London assembly members and 10 other mayors outside the capital.
There is also a by-election taking place in Blackpool South following the resignation of former Conservative MP Scott Benton. Voters in England and Wales will also choose new police and crime commissioners.
Polling suggests that the mayoral contests in Tees Valley and West Midlands are on a knife edge and will be closely watched in Westminster for their potential ramifications in a national vote.
Forecasts say the Tories could lose up to half the 1,000 or so council seats they are defending and rebels opposed to Rishi Sunak’s premiership have warned they would move against him if the results were poor.
But Kemi Badenoch, the business secretary, told broadcasters the prime minister’s position was safe regardless of the outcome.
“I think there’s a lot of noise being made by people who want to get attention but the prime minister has the full backing of the Cabinet, he has my full backing,” she said.
ICYMI: Tories’ top mayor disowns Rishi Sunak on eve of poll
In an exclusive interview with The Independent, Lord Houchen warned that his potential defeat in this week’s local elections should be “a wake-up call” for Tory MPs.
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Sadiq Khan accuses Lee Anderson of ‘fuelling hate’ amid secret recording
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Can Monty Panesar spin his way into the House of Commons?
England’s former left-arm bowler wants to become a left-wing MP but, as Sean O’Grady explains, a Labour majority could leave him stumped
Read Sean’s piece in full here:
Tories expect ‘significant losses’ at local elections, Chancellor says
Jeremy Hunt has said the Conservatives will likely suffer “significant losses” in the local elections as the party braces itself for a contest seen as the final test of public opinion before a general election.
The Chancellor sought to manage expectations before voters head to the polls on Thursday, suggesting the Tories are anticipating defeat in hundreds of seats.
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How will success and failure unfold for Labour and Conservatives in the local elections?
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Tories blast Labour with police complaints ahead of crucial local elections
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Tories attack Labour and Lib Dems ahead of elections
Ahead of the polls, a Conservative Party spokesman sought to draw attention to the record of their rivals in local government.
“Across the country Labour and the Liberal Democrats have run their councils into the ground, bankrupting local authorities and wasting taxpayer’s time and money on bonkers policies,” they said.
The spokesman added: “Meanwhile we have a strong record. Our Conservative mayors have delivered record investment and apprenticeships for their areas, and you are two times less likely to be a victim of crime under a Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner.
“Only the Conservative Party can be trusted to deliver better quality services for lower tax.”
Tees Valley’s mayor may be a straw for Tories to clutch, but even if he wins he can’t save Sunak
Local elections preview: Ben Houchen may buck the trend, but the outlook is still bad for the Conservatives come the general election, writes John Rentoul.
Read John’s piece in full here:
Exclusive: Senior Tories wanted right-wing Reform candidate for London mayor instead of Susan Hall
A cabinet minister was among senior Tories who pushed for Reform UK’s Howard Cox to be their candidate for London mayor instead of the beleaguered Susan Hall, The Independent understands.
A source close to the prime minister’s inner circle has claimed they wrote to Rishi Sunak pleading with him to select the right-wing motorist campaigner Mr Cox ahead of the decision by London party members to nominate Susan Hall.
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Exclusive | Tory mayor Ben Houchen’s swipe at Rishi Sunak: they’ll vote for me – but not you
In an exclusive interview with The Independent, Mr Houchen warned that his potential defeat in this week’s local elections should be “a wake-up call” for Tory MPs.
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