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Friday evening news briefing: Scramble to keep PM in power

Your evening briefing from The Telegraph
Your evening briefing from The Telegraph

Evening briefing: Today's essential headlines

Roe v Wade reversed | The US Supreme Court today overturned the landmark ruling that enshrined the right to abortion half a century ago. Almost instantly, abortion will be banned in 13 US states that have already introduced "trigger" laws designed to come into effect upon the throwing out of Roe v Wade. US editor Nick Allen explains what is likely to happen next. Daniel Capurro outlines six things we learned from the ruling. And US correspondent Jamie Johnson has the latest reaction.

The big story: PM's allies in move to protect him

As he posed for the cameras during a victory rally in Tiverton today, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey was gleefully mocking Boris Johnson.

The bigger problem for the Prime Minister, though, is that a growing number of members of his own party are publicly expressing the same sentiment: It's time to show Boris the door.

Tory heavyweight Lord Howard this afternoon joined growing calls for Mr Johnson to quit after the Conservative Party suffered two crushing by-election defeats overnight.

"I think the party and even more importantly the country would now be better off under new leadership," said Lord Howard – the first ex-leader of the party to have explicitly called for him to step aside.

His intervention piles the pressure on Mr Johnson, who today insisted that he will "keep going" despite the significant losses, which prompted the dramatic 5.30am resignation of Oliver Dowden as Conservative party chairman.

With fresh attempts to unseat Mr Johnson now under way, Ben Riley-Smith and Christopher Hope can reveal how his allies are planning to thwart a new leadership challenge.

And Gordon Rayner examines what is allowing the Prime Minister to cling to power.

The biggest political upset of the night came when the Tories were defeated by the Lib Dems in Tiverton and Honiton – despite defending a 24,000-vote majority.

One of the most memorable moments of a Conservative campaign that failed to spark into life will surely be the moment the Tory candidate did an early-morning disappearing act at a leisure centre in southern Devon to cries of: "She's locked herself in a room!" Nick Gutteridge describes the astonishing scene.

Eight key charts

The Conservatives are fighting a war on two fronts, then. Six years to the day that new political battle lines were drawn after the outcome of the Brexit vote, today's by-election results highlight the cracks appearing in both Tory heartland and "Red Wall" seats in the North of England.

Data journalist Ben Butcher explains the party's dismal performance in eight key charts. Of course, it is not unusual for a ruling party to suffer a mid-term bashing at the polls.

Daniel Capurro says Mr Johnson might find some comfort in looking back at what happened last time a sitting government lost twice on the same day.

And the Prime Minister's woes are analysed in a special edition of Chopper's Politics podcast.

'No Labour triumph'

There can be no doubt that retaking Wakefield from the Tories was a valuable result for Sir Keir Starmer, who has been under intense pressure to convert modest opinion poll leads into solid performances at the ballot box. Yet Tom Harris argues that these results are hardly a Labour triumph.

Sir Keir met campaigners at Ossett Market this morning alongside newly-elected Wakefield MP Simon Lightwood – and was mocked with an unusual offering from a greengrocer.

PS: The historic by-election defeat was among the main points of discussion among your fellow Telegraph readers this week. Read the highlights of their views – and join the conversation yourself.

Comment and analysis

Around the world: 'Goat of Kyiv' triggers boobytrap

Dozens of Russian soldiers have been injured after a Ukrainian goat set off a boobytrap they were laying around a hospital. Read how the animal's "chaotic movements" created a chain reaction after escaping from a nearby farm. In Severodonetsk, Ukrainian troops were forced to retreat after their positions were "smashed to pieces" in a weeks-long battle with Russian forces that saw some of the fiercest fighting of the war. Yet defence and security editor Dominic Nicholls says the city offers minimal strategic advantage for Vladimir Putin.

Friday long-read: How modern culture abandoned originality

What's new? Nothing. The current prominence of Kate Bush, Top Gun and Paul McCartney indicates an alarming stagnation across the arts, argues Chris Harvey in this in-depth feature. Read the feature

What’s new? Nothing: Paul McCartney, Kate Bush and Tom Cruise - Alamy
What’s new? Nothing: Paul McCartney, Kate Bush and Tom Cruise - Alamy

Sport briefing: England vs New Zealand

New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell continued to be a thorn in England's side on day two of the Headingley Test, reaching his third century in as many games and breaking a 73-year-old record along the way. Rob Bagchi has live updates. In football, chief sports reporter Jeremy Wilson lifts the lid on what the most controversial World Cup in history will really be like.

Editor's choice

  1. Luxury wellness resort | 'The Maldives is a beach island paradise – but it is not for me'

  2. Love Island | 'An entire generation has been programmed by porn – and that is dangerous'

  3. Katie Morley Investigates | 'I'm not going to Glastonbury because Royal Mail lost my ticket'

Business briefing: War on holiday homes

Second home owners could be banned from renting out their properties on websites such as Airbnb in plans being drawn up by Michael Gove. Lauren Almeida says the proposals would stop owners from renting out their properties as short-term lets, as the Government cracks down on landlords driving up house prices in holiday hotspots. Meanwhile, the British chip designer Arm is poised to snub London for New York.

Tonight starts now

Glastonbury | Worthy Farm, the Somerset site of the greatest music festival in the world, has lain dormant for three pandemic-blighted years. But in a glorious return for humanity, Glastonbury 2022 is under way. The BBC's festival broadcasting is a thing of beauty – and a welcome reminder of what the embattled corporation does best. If you are settling in for an exhaustive 35 hours of coverage over the next three days, beginning on BBC Three at 7pm, allow us to whet your appetite with the full line-up and set times. Follow all the action in our rolling coverage. And arts and entertainment editor Anita Singh spoke to Jesus and Mary Chain's Jim Reid about playing the festival for the first time in 24 years.

Three things for you

And finally... for this evening's downtime

Luxury for less | Have you ever wondered how some people are able to afford multiple luxury holidays a year? Renting your home to strangers so you can enjoy an extended break – with more spending money than usual – could be a savvy option this year. These are the stories of four homeowners who made it work for them.

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