Rishi Sunak faces southern discomfort

Rishi Sunak wakes to warnings that the Tories could lose 1,000 seats in the local elections. What had been talked up as expectation management is now viewed as a possibility as the party finds itself squeezed by both Labour and the Liberal Democrats. Keir Starmer’s party is showing signs of progress in some so-called red wall areas while the Tories are losing support in traditonal strongholds in the south. It’s worth noting of course that it is still early days, with results due to come through well into Saturday. But the early signs are not particularly encouraging for the Conservatives.

Overnight Labour has taken control of Plymouth council as well as Stoke-on-Trent – two of its key targets. Meanwhile when it comes to the Conservatives’ blue wall, the Liberal Democrats have had a good night.