Margaret Thatcher had a phrase she often repeated when challenged on her strident adherence to her unapologetically right-wing economic principles. “There is no alternative,” the former Conservative prime minister would say to those who pointed out the social unrest and industrial devastation her policies were causing.

Keir Starmer defends ‘tough decisions’ as local election results roll in - Reform UK’s Sarah Pochin beat Sir Keir Starmer’s candidate Karen Shore by six votes in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election.

Farage's Reform UK storms to Runcorn by-election, mayoralty and council seat wins in major blow to Starmer - "Reform are in business. They are a major challenge,” says polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice,