A shock poll has tipped the Tories to win the Hartlepool by-election despite Boris Johnson fearing a "tough night" in this Thursday's local elections.
Survation has to date polled 1,000 people in the seat - Labour since its creation in 1974 - including 517 in the latest poll, which predicted a 17-point lead for the Conservatives.
Tory land-owning barrister Jill Mortimer would win 50% of the vote with Labour GP Dr Paul Williams on 33%, according to the survey - which was carried out on April 23-29, before most of the "cash for curtains" scandal took hold.
Independents Thelma Walker and Sam Lee would win 6% of the vote each, with the Greens on 3%. Survation suggested the seat, vacated by Labour's Mike Hill, would likely have gone blue in
Read more on mirror.co.uk