The Conservatives have suffered net losses across England. In some areas there has seen sizeable shifts against the party as Labour, the Lib Dems and the Greens have gained ground.
But why did people stop voting Conservative?
According to polling by Opinium of voters who backed the Tories at the 2019 general election but not at yesterday’s locals, an overwhelming 81 per cent put the cost of living among the most important issues facing them and their family. Sixty five per cent cited problems with the NHS, while just 21 per cent said immigration and 7 per cent said Brexit.