After a flying visit to Tees Valley, where Ben Houchen had secured another term as Tory mayor, the prime minister went to bed on Friday evening dreaming of a similar success for Andy Street in the West Midlands – and there were even rumours that the Conservatives could steal an unlikely victory in London!
However, less than 24 hours later, Rishi Sunak’s dreams had turned to dust. Sadiq Khan won an historic third term in the capital – and Labours Richard Parker had narrowly defeated Street in Birmingham.
Combined with the loss of almost 500 council seats, and a huge reversal in the Blackpool South parliamentary by-election, by Sunday morning the PM was waking up to a lecture from Suella Braverman.
Two sleeps is a long time in politics…
What next for Sunak and the Tory Party?
