Tories in a ‘very tough situation’ after election losses, party chair admits

Conservative rebels say they lack support to oust Sunak as counts overnight show loss of 100 councillors and byelection defeat

• Local and mayoral election results – live updates

The Conservative chair has conceded his party is in “a very tough situation” after a difficult night at the local elections triggered calls for Rishi Sunak to change course.

Richard Holden admitted it had been “a tough set of elections” for his party, which has suffered heavy losses including the Blackpool South byelection with a 26-point swing to Labour.