Senior Tories believe local elections may be more catastrophic than originally feared (Image: GETTY)

       Senior figures in Tory HQ are bracing to lose more than half their seats in the upcoming May local elections, in a sign the result could be even worse than initially predicted.

       Election experts Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher recently said the Tories “stand to lose up to 500 seats”, which would represent around half of their councillors facing election.

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       While some Conservatives may be hoping that Rallings and Thrashers “up to” leaves room for improvement on their dire headline prediction, a senior Tory figure has now claimed that the party HQ is bracing for even worse performance.

       In fact, CCHQ - Conservative central headquarters - is reportedly bracing to lose “more than half of their council seats” next month.

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       This would mean a potentially worse outcome than previously expected.

       Nor does the claim form part of a typical political party ‘expectations management’ strategy, with the report coming from an individual unconnected to their party’s HQ.

       More than 2,600 seats will go up for election across England on May 2, with both the Tories and Labour defending around 1,000 each.

       The Conservatives are openly admitting that the night will be rough for them, given the last time these seats were contested was in 2021, during which time Boris Johnson was riding high thanks to the vaccine bounce and saw him win the Hartlepool by-election.

       Sources admit they are expecting “several hundred losses” on the night, with Labour set to gain around 300 alongside boosts for both the LibDems and the Greens.

       Reform UK is an unknown entity this time around, however polling at 16% they should be expected to start winning council seats.

       Tories are fearful that a disastrous local election night could result in enough no-confidence letters being sent to the 1922 Committee to trigger a vote of confidence in Rishi Sunak.

       However Rishi Sunak is fighting back, warning that Labour’s record in London and Brighton is an indication of the havoc they will bring to other local councils should they win.

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       Speaking at his party’s local elections launch two weeks ago, Mr Sunak said voters should look at Sadiq Khan’s record, who is “more interested in virtue signalling than actually delivering”.

       “Failing on crime, failing on housing and his transport policy is to tax motorists off the road and rename train lines.”

       The Conservative Party was approached for comment.

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