Welcome to the cherry orchard. In the past 24 hours, the different parties have been picking their fruit from different trees. Rishi Sunak points to Tory gains in Sandwell, Bassetlaw and Stockton. Labour proclaims its triumphs in Swindon, Medway and Stoke. Ed Davey has discovered the national significance of Windsor & Maidenhead.
It was ever thus. Thank goodness. Local election results vary because they are, well, local. Nevertheless, national lessons can be learned from the overall results. And however much they differ in public, the parties will this weekend be drawing similar private conclusions – namely that the results are terrible for the Conservatives, just moderately good for Labour and encouraging for the Liberal Democrats and Greens.
