No one seems to know where he is.... He’s hiding away from people and I think that says it all.... The former Labour stronghold voted for the Conservatives at the 2019 general election, but is widely expected to be regained by Sir Keir Starmer’s party on 23 June....

A furious war of words has erupted after allies of Boris Johnson accused Tory rebels of almost certainly guaranteeing defeat in two crucial forthcoming by-elections by “ poisoning the well ”.... In comments that will risk alienating Tory MPs further, they also insisted that the results would make no difference to Mr Johnson’s position as Conservative leader, because they were now “ priced in ”.... ” One minister and ally of Mr Johnson said the result of the by-elections was now “ priced in ”,