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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, less than 24 hours later, Rishi Sunak\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two sleeps is a long time in politics…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What next for Sunak and the Tory Party?<\/p>\n\n\n\n