Ukip, headed by Paul Nuttall, is predicted to be the biggest loser in the local elections next month

New analysis illustrates the size of the bounce-back by the Liberal Democrats, who are on course to make big gains at the local elections next month while Labour and Ukip face defeats.

Analysis by the election experts Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher shows the Lib Dems gaining about 100 seats.

Theresa May’s position will be further strengthened by a predicted gain of 50 seats for the Tories — a rare result for a sitting government mid term.

Jeremy Corbyn will face fresh questions about his stewardship of Labour. His party is on course to lose 50 seats. But the biggest loser is likely to be Ukip, which is set to haemorrhage 100 seats after a high watermark performance in 2013 when the same councils were