The results of mayoral elections in Greater Manchester, London and the West Midlands are among those expected on Saturday
Starmer’s campaign chiefs say they can win more seats than their national vote share would suggest by targeting voters in the more marginal parts of the country, even if it means losing support in urban areas where the party has traditionally done well.
The downsides of that strategy became apparent as Friday wore on, with officials becoming more downbeat about taking the West Midlands and more nervous about Khan winning a third term in London.
