UK Tories see losses in Sunak's first electoral test
Britain's ruling Conservatives suffered high-profile losses as results poured in on Friday from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's first major electoral test since he took office last year. In the depths of the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades, the local council elections held on Thursday across swathes of England illuminated the main parties' standing ahead of a UK-wide general election expected next year. Sunak admitted it was not looking good for his Tories. "It's always disappointing to lose hard-working Conservative councillors," the prime minister told Sky News. But he vowed to press ahead with the "people's priorities" – including halving double-digit inflation, restoring economic growth, and stopping boatloads of migrants crossing the Channel. The vote counting will only be complete later on Friday, just as Britain gears up for Saturday's coronation of King Charles III. But the main opposition Labour party crowed that the trend was already clear from the 230 English districts electing more than 8,000 council seats. "These results have been a disaster for Rishi Sunak as voters punish him for the Tories' failure," said Shabana Mahmood, Labour's national campaign co-ordinator. "These results show that we are on course for a majority Labour government," she added. (AFP)