In the upcoming local elections in England on Thursday, the political fate of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appears closely tied to the outcomes of key mayoral races. Incumbent mayors Andy Street and Ben Houchen, who have largely distanced themselves from the Conservative Party in their campaigns, have sought support from former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Johnson has praised Street in a letter to West Midlands voters, despite the duo's general disassociation from the party's broader national performance. These elections are seen as a critical test of Sunak's leadership, with the Tories braced for potential heavy losses.
Voting begins in crucial local elections: Moment of truth for Rishi Sunak as Tory rebels circle with PM hoping mayors can hold on to mask council losses - while grim national poll shows party slipping to new low https://t.co/1ktz2EEN6D https://t.co/eyGWQnaRET
🗳️All the key local election battlegrounds as PM braces for make or break local elections https://t.co/RujGRNuOrX
Polls open in England’s local elections with Tories braced for heavy losses https://t.co/LGBQ2XO4rN
UK votes in local elections that may test Sunak’s leadership https://t.co/OYgHJXqgiv via @isabellaaward https://t.co/wiDcHiGKsg
UK PM Sunak’s Political Fate Hangs On Results Of Local Elections - FT https://t.co/AE4JDY8ATW
Britons head to the polls on Thursday in a set of local elections that could put Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a perilous position https://t.co/cJIubuEZG5
Andy Street and Ben Houchen turn to Boris Johnson in mayoral election run-in - Street has sent out a letter to voters in the West Midlands in which Johnson lavishes him with praise and dismisses the Tories’ record in Westminster. Story from @kiranstacey https://t.co/2l5Fyg1pmE
Andy Street and Ben Houchen have all but disavowed the Tories in their election campaigns. But it turns out there is one senior Tory they do want to be associated with…. (No, it’s not Sunak) https://t.co/BOnql09a25
Andy Street and Ben Houchen are battling to hold on to their mayoral seats. Rishi Sunak's future may depend on them. https://t.co/QLv6KavtbU
Mayoral races could determine if Rishi Sunak sinks or swims https://t.co/pVq11AqBtd