Good morning. It’s local election day in England. As well as potholes, sewage and council tax, this vote is a crucial measure of how the leading parties are doing ahead of the next general election – and, as sure as eggs is eggs, they’re all saying how terrible things look for them today so that they can celebrate incredible success tomorrow.
In truth, the most likely result is a rough day for the Tories and some gains for Labour and the Lib Dems – but there is an awful lot to learn from just how big the swing turns out to be. Here’s a guide to the key results to look out for – and today’s newsletter is your one-stop shop to help make sense of it all. If there’s an election where you are, don’t forget to vote, and definitely don’t forget your ID. Here are the headlines.