Rishi Sunak appeared to be optimistic despite the Conservatives suffering defeats across the country in Friday’s (3 May) local election results. Experts have warned the Tories could lose 500 seats in what could be their worst numbers in 40 years. Mr Sunak acknowledged defeats but was keen to highlight the fact his party had clung on in Harlow - though the party’s majority was cut from nine to a single seat there. “[Sir] Keir Starmer held a rally just on Wednesday saying [Harlow] was a place that he had to win to be on track to win a general election. “That hasn’t happened.”