Labour trails in former stronghold of Hull city

Sir Keir Starmer could be facing an embarrassing blow in this week's local elections after data seen by The Independent suggests that the city where John Prescott was MP for 40 years has turned its back on Labour.

- DAVID MADDOX , MILLIE COOKE

According to canvass returns – voting data collected by parties –- Nigel Farage’s Reform UK are heading the race for mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, with the Lib Dems a close second and Labour now a distant third.

The region, which is electing a mayor for the first time, has historically been a Labour heartland and part of its famous red wall, with Lord Prescott as an MP for four decades and former home secretary Alan Johnson also an MP for the city.

Currently, Home Office minister Diana Johnson is one of the local Labour MPs but voters for now seem to have switched off Labour.