Labour make more gains ahead of critical mayoral results

Rishi Sunak is braced for the result of key mayoral elections in London and the West Midlands, after the Conservatives were trounced in the first day of local election results.

London’s Labour mayor Sadiq Khan is now believed to have a closer-than-expected contest with Tory challenger Susan Hall in the capital.

A narrow contest is also likely for West Midlands Tory mayor Andy Street.