James Cleverly defends Tory results despite ‘tough night’ in local elections

Sir James Cleverly has defended his party’s local election results despite admitting it had been a “tough night” for the Conservatives.

Speaking on GB News, Shadow Housing Secretary rejected the notion that the Tories had failed to perform in a “midterm” contest.

“This was always going to be a tough night for us. We knew that. I think everyone was predicting that,” Sir James began, adding that the results were a “mixed picture”.

“We have lost some councillors, hard-working local champions and that always hurts.”

Despite the sobering assessment, the Shadow Housing Secretary shut down any claim that the Conservatives should have performed better.

GB News Breakfast host Ellie Costello argued that an opposition party should be “hoovering up the votes” in a midterm-style election.

“The statement you just made about this point in the electoral cycle is factually wrong,” Sir James shot back.

“That's not how it works. These are not American midterm elections,” he insisted.

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