PM Keir Starmer has been dealt a dramatic new year blow after 20 councillors from a single local authority quit Labour in protest over his policies.

The members of Broxtowe Council in Nottinghamshire said the government had “abandoned traditional Labour values,” citing in particular the cutting of winter fuel payments for pensioners.

Council leader Milan Radulovic, a party member for 42 years, is among those quitting, leaving just six Labour councillors on the authority.