Some Tory MPs believe their loss of Selby and Ainsty in Yorkshire, northern England, is a harbinger of a catastrophic defeat in the next general election, according to The Guardian.

A new immigration bill introduced by the British government would bar asylum seekers who arrive in the country by crossing the English Channel on small boats.

The Conservatives lost more than 1,000 seats and dozens of councils after a disastrous local election which meant Labour became the largest party in local government.

In the biggest round of local council elections seen in England since 2019, a total of 40 million Britons will be able on 4 May to choose new councillors, with over 8,000 seats being contested across 230 councils.