Victory in Harrow demonstrates a willingness among British Indians to vote Conservative

The subject has not yet been sufficiently studied, but there is clearly an affinity between the Hindu ethic and the spirit of conservatism.

John Macdonald: It’s unsustainable for the Tories to offer so little to younger voters

But unless the Party offers them a genuine shot at prosperity, it risks sliding into decline.

WATCH: Tugendhat denies canvassing support for leadership bid but wants ‘position of influence’

He also says the Tories were punished for threatening to turn the South into the “patio of England” by building homes.

WATCH: Raab – ‘It’s going to be a tough fight for me and my seat’

The Justice Secretary is one of the Tory MPs whose position could be in peril if the local election patterns persist.

Live Blog: With most councils declared, Welsh Tory losses exceed those in Scotland

Meanwhile observers are already speculating about whether today’s performance will cost Douglas Ross his job.

Henry Hill: As voters go to the polls in Northern Ireland, the DUP is fighting for second

Also: it looks like it will be a good day for Labour in both Wales and Scotland as Douglas Ross struggles to make headway.

Robert Halfon: Before polling day, a reminder of the good this Government has done

Also: a windfall tax is an appropriate response to the cost-of-living crisis; banning supermarket deals is not.

Lord Ashcroft: The findings of my 8000 sample poll on Partygate, Johnson, Starmer and politics as the local elections loom

Labour had a slightly higher mean likelihood voting score among voters as a whole than the Conservatives.

WATCH: ‘No pact now or in the future’, says Davey of alliance rumours

This after Oliver Dowden accused Labour and the Liberal Democrats of collaborating in the local elections.

Oliver Dowden: In the local elections, choose a better deal for your area – vote Conservative

Across the country, our local authorities deliver better outcomes without the inflated tax rates imposed by Labour, the Lib Dems, and the SNP.

Henry Hill: Tories attack other parties for propping up SNP councils as local campaign heats up

Also: Sturgeon likened to Trump after she bans print journalists from SNP launch event.

Henry Hill: Kwarteng is wrong to rule out ‘imposing’ nuclear power stations in Scotland

Also: Record haul of Welsh Tory council candidates is still just over half of seats; Scottish Tories back trans conversion therapy ban.

With the war, an apparent rapprochement between Ross and Johnson. Can it last?

The Prime Minister is now going to address Scottish conference. But if war creates pressure for unity, the local elections may not.

Henry Hill: Why does Truss say there is a ‘deal to be done’ on the Protocol? The fundamentals are unchanged

Also: Delaying Johnson’s defenestration is not worth the price of heavy local election losses in Wales and Scotland.