The Conservatives are on course to lose control of councils across the country next month, Theresa May has been warned, as Ukip returns from the “dead” on the back of mounting anger over delay to Brexit.

Council leaders have told The Sunday Telegraph they are preparing for heavy losses in the local elections, amid fears voters are turning on the party for failing to take the UK out of the European Union on time.

They warn that Tory councils in Leave-voting heartlands, including Peterborough and Southend-on-Sea, will be fighting for “survival” and could see their majorities wiped out in May.

I was listening to the Jam Generation programme on Radio 4 the other day about the current crop of ruling politicians at the national level who grew up during Paul Weller’s heyday.

It is worth remembering that Zippy also had a role in the values of this group – come to think of it – that explains quite a lot!