Sunak clings on as Tory vote crashes

RISHI SUNAK’S rocky premiership looked like it would survive disastrous local election results for the Tories across the country.
Victories in high-profile mayoral elections masked a haemorrhaging of up to 500 local councillors as the Conservative vote dropped by nearly 20 per cent.
Ben Houchen’s re-election as Tees Valley mayor and an anticipated win for Andy Street in the West Midlands may prove to be just enough good news for Mr Sunak to see off his Tory critics — for now.
More from this author

Starmer under pressure over cruel plan to slash welfare budget

With Labour abandoning its base through welfare cuts and warmongering, a genuine progressive alternative is urgently needed but must avoid any whiff of Trump infatuation syndrome and national populism, argues ANDREW MURRAY