Battle between Tories and Reform UK for second place in byelection could be crucial to PM’s future

Local elections will test Reform UK’s credibility as compared to Ukip and Brexit party

• UK politics – latest updates

Reform UK’s best hope of making headlines this week is Blackpool South’s byelection, but polling also shows the insurgent rightwing party is ahead of the Conservatives in two mayoral races.

While Labour are the frontrunners to regain Blackpool South – which fell to the Conservatives as the ‘red wall’ crumbled in 2019 – the battle for second place there could be crucial to Rishi Sunak’s future.