VOTE counting is underway in many parts of England after today’s local elections, with Rishi Sunak bracing himself for humbling results amid the worsening cost-of-living crisis.

The Tory Prime Minister predicted a “hard night” for his party before the polls closed at 10pm, but optimistically predicted that the Conservatives are now moving away from “box-set drama” politics.

The vote, which will decide 8,000 councillors in 230 local authorities as well as four local mayors, are likely to be the final set of polls before the next general election, due in the spring or autumn of 2024.