JEREMY HAMLEY PICTURED AT TORY PRESS CONFERENCE

Jeremy Hanley (right), the Tory party chairman, with John Gummer, Secretary of State for the Environment, at yesterday's final Conservative press conference before the local elections. Mr Hanley - who has been widely criticised within the party - put his job on the line by insisting he was happy to be judged by his stewardship of the party's campaign. "This campaign is part of my responsibility ... I am perfectly happy to be judged on the way I have fought this campaign and brought the record of Conservative councils to the public's attention," he said.

Photograph: Kalpesh Lathigra