The Tories are expecting a pounding at the local elections - but could Labour have the harder job?

28 April 2024, 17:29 | Updated: 28 April 2024, 20:59

Thursday's local elections have been pencilled in as a day of peril for Rishi Sunak for so long, it's hard to remember when Tory turbulence - and maybe even a leadership challenge - was not expected after 2 May.

Most council seats up for election were last contested in 2021, the high watermark of Boris Johnson's political prowess, when the Tories were benefiting from a vaccine bounce.

Since then, the party has plunged in the polls after ploughing through two prime ministerial downfalls.

But in the Politics At Jack And Sam's podcast, Politico UK editor Jack Blanchard and I explore whether it might be Labour who have the harder job to do if they don't clean up some of the highest profile races, with Tories winning in long-time Labour areas.

Latest UK and World News

Ozempic Insulin injection pen for diabetics and weight loss

Game-changing ‘new statin’ Ozempic slashes risk of heart attack and stroke in ‘biggest breakthrough in 30 years’

The prison early release scheme has been criticised

Domestic abuser among 'dangerous prisoners released from jail early' under government plans to cut overcrowding

The comments came as Cohen took to the stand to give evidence as part of Trump's ongoing 'hush money' trial in New York

Donald Trump ‘ordered porn star payoff to save presidential campaign’, former lawyer Michael Cohen testifies

The armed robbers were jailed

Shocking CCTV footage shows armed robbers holding up service station, as pair jailed

Lewis and Amanda Young have been jailed

Mother and son jailed after boy, 8, mauled by XL Bully, suffering serious head injuries