Polls open in England’s local elections with Tories braced for heavy losses

Party predicted to lose about half of the 1,000 seats it is defending in contest that could shape Rishi Sunak’s future

Voting has begun in local elections in England, where the Conservatives are braced for heavy losses that could destabilise Rishi Sunak’s premiership.

The elections, which cover more than 2,600 seats across 107 English councils, are seen as a key test of whether the Conservative party is as unpopular with voters as the polls suggest.