Rishi Sunak’s woes mount with oil bill rebellion, byelections and asylum row

Parliament returns for election year with a resignation over North Sea drilling and a fight over the Tories’ Rwanda plan

Rishi Sunak is facing a backlash in parliament this week over plans to allow more oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, as Tory troubles pile up on multiple fronts in the run-up to a general election expected this year.

MPs return to Westminster on Monday after the Christmas break with all parties gearing up for what will inevitably be a bitter election battle that could end the Conservatives’ 13 and a half years in power.