Polls open for two byelections in testing times for Tories and Labour

Conservatives expected to lose large majorities in Wellingborough and Kingswood despite difficult week for Keir Starmer

Polls have opened in the Wellingborough and Kingswood byelections, seen as a final chance for Rishi Sunak to buck predictions that his party is heading for a landslide defeat at the next general election.

The Conservatives are defending majorities of more than 18,000 in Wellingborough in Northants and 11,000 in Kingswood in South Gloucestershire.