'Stars could not be more aligned against us': Senior Tories predict loss in Blackpool by-election

Tories express concern over EU youth mobility scheme

The Opposition have expressed concerns over a potential youth mobility scheme with the European Union. The home secretary and chancellor both said they are "open" to the plans which would allow Europeans to temporarily live and work in the UK. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said it is a "potentially failing immigration scheme" and urged the government to be more transparent with discussions regarding the plans. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories insist ‘no pact’ with Reform UK

Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies insists the Conservative Party “will not be entering into a pact” with Reform UK but will “win back the centre-right vote” at the next General Election. In an audio recording obtained by Sky News, Robert Jenrick can be heard saying that he wants the "fight" against Sir Keir Starmer's party to be "united". Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories: PM should reflect on previous trans comments

Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Richard Fuller says the prime minister “has created a lot of anxiety” over his comments on trans issues before the Supreme Court ruled on the legal definition of a woman last week. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Tories urge Welsh Government to reconsider steel requirement

A Tory minister has urged the Welsh Government to reconsider its requirements around steel as the UK Government races to avert the shutdown of Britain's last primary steelmaking plant. Shadow business minister Dame Harriett Baldwin said it's a "critical part of our national infrastructure" that the Scunthorpe plant is "kept going". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

MSP Jamie Greene joins Lib Dems after quitting Tories

MSP Jamie Greene has defected to the Scottish Liberal Democrats, just a day after dramatically quitting the Tories. The West Scotland MSP was unveiled as a Lib Dem at the party’s spring conference in Inverness. He had left the Scottish Conservatives on Thursday, writing a stinging letter to party leader Russell Findlay which accused his former party of having a “Reform-lite agenda”. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn