David Cameron today pledged to “work really hard” to win back voters who abandoned the Conservatives for the Ukip as Nigel Farage’s party made a series of stunning gains in the council elections.

David Cameron faces another bruising showdown over Europe today, with Tory backbenchers and Labour joining forces to demand a tougher line in budget negotiations.

Tensions over Europe at the heart of the British coalition government were exposed today, as Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg failed to attend the House of Commons to hear David Cameron defend his decision to veto last week’s proposed EU treaty.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said today his decision to publicly deny speculation about a gay affair with an aide was “not an easy thing to do”.

The Liberal Democrats say they are hopeful a deal can be reached with the Tories today on forming a government in the UK.

NOW that the PDs have chosen a new leader, I’d like to offer them some dispassionate advice on their options.

Michael Howard’s leadership bid will be put to a vote of the Tory membership in England even if he remains the only candidate, the party confirmed today.

Former Tory Cabinet minister and former shadow transport secretary John Redwood said Mr Byers’ figures had ‘‘more holes that a sieve’’.

Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith today predicted that a ‘‘popular coalition’’ of the British people would unite to face down Tony Blair if the Prime Minister sought to take the UK into the single European currency.