By-election defeat

MPs to both areas as the party scents the chance of a historic victory with Labour slumping in the polls. Half a dozen ministers were in Copeland this weekend, while cabinet ministers including Liz Truss and Greg Clark have been campaigning in recent days.

Mr Corbyn yesterday claimed “people are dying” because of the Government’s austerity policies and urged voters to “send a message” to Mrs May in the by-elections.

“We have a state of emergency in our social care system and the worst crisis in the history of our NHS,” he said.

Mr Corbyn brushed off the resignation of key aide Simon Fletcher, saying it was “nonsense” he had concerns about the party’s direction.

There is also concern that Tony Blair’s Brexit intervention on Friday, urging voters to keep the UK in the EU, will backfire. Shadow ministers warned that the timing of the speech just days before the by-elections in Brexit-backing constituencies was unhelpful.