Andy Street LOSES West Mids mayor battle in body blow for Rishi Sunak after ... trends now

Andy Street dramatically lost the West Midlands mayor battle tonight in a body blow for Rishi Sunak.

There were cheers and whoops as the declaration came that the Tory incumbent had been defeated by Labour rival Richard Parker after an extraordinary struggle that saw a series of recounts.

Following hours of wrangling, Mr Street was finally edged out by 1,508 votes - from a three-million strong electorate - with his opponent posting pictures of his celebrations. 

The failure of the former John Lewis boss to secure a third term is a huge setback for the PM, and leaves him with almost nothing to cling to from a nightmare set of local elections.

Rebels immediately warned that the 'gamechanging' result meant Mr Sunak could now face a fresh bid to oust him - although other MPs reiterated their view it was too late. 

The premier had been desperate for Mr Street to join Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen in the winner's circle, demonstrating that the party can still win big contests.

Lord Houchen's success had seemingly helped Mr Sunak quell a revolt. However, the latest defeat immediately inflamed anger, critics pointing to the relentlessly grim results for the Conservatives. The party is likely to end up losing nearly 500 councillors in one of the worst showings for 40 years. 

One Tory MP told MailOnline that Downing Street had quelled dissent up to now by 'bullsh*****' that 'all's going to be fine' and suggesting Susan Hall was going to win in London. 

'Despite all the highly positive private spin from No10 to Tory MPs since Thursday, we've lost well over 400 council seats, Andy Street has lost, Susan Hall has been defeated in London,' they said.

'Ben Houchen won without having the balls to wear a blue rosette, even at his own victory count... Rishi's Sunak's utterly hapless Leadership is now definitely in play.' 

The MP added that they had not sent a letter of no confidence before, but would be now - predicting that the threshold of 52 for a vote would be hit. 

Ex-Cabinet minister Simon Clarke, a public critic of Mr Sunak, reportedly posted on a Tory WhatsApp group after the news broke: "These results are awful, and should be a massive wake up call.' 

A former minister told MailOnline that victory for Mr Street would have 'eased the pressure' on the PM.

'For those who say it would be madness to have another leader now just look at the statistics. They say that is precisely what the majority of Tory voters want,' they said.

'I think there will be more reflection now. There will be a lot of phone calls being made this Bank Holiday weekend, not least by supporters of rival candidates, although they will be discreet.' 

The MP added that there was 'an element of MPs simply being resigned to losing'.

But another veteran Tory backbencher said Mr Street's loss 'is not going to shift anything'.

'People know Rishi has improved things, so let’s stick with him and not let Kier take credit for Tories improving things over next six months,' they added.

The MP said the key question for the rebels was who would be better than Mr Sunak: 'No one and they know it.' 

For the first time since 1996, the Lib Dems have won more councillors than the Conservatives at a round of local elections. 

The Blackpool South by-election caused particular consternation as Labour stormed the seat with a 26 point swing - and the Tories only barely scraped into second ahead of Reform.

The battle for West Midlands mayor had been due to declare at 3pm, but went into extra time with both sides saying it was 'too close to call'. 

Recounts took place in Birmingham and Wolverhampton, and Coventry as the parties wrangle over every single vote.

It finally came down

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