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

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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.