CCHQ is trying to point all noses at the Harlow result in Essex, which has been previously touted as a crucial target for Starmer. Now an “incredible” victory has been claimed as the Tories keep hold of a one-seat majority. Rishi Sunak celebrated the result and Rob Halfon called it the “biggest comeback since Lazarus”…

Was that comment actually directed at recently suspended Tory councillor James Leppard? With 17 seats (including his) versus Labour’s 16, for the Tories to keep control, they will have had to readmit Leppard, who they suspended two weeks ago for saying of Muslims that: “We really don’t need them here. They add nothing”. CCHQ is currently refusing to say whether this has happened – though that is the one way they can claim to have control over the council. So, according to the latest information available, it’s No Overall Control…