The Conservatives could lose all three of the by-elections taking place on Thursday, a minister has admitted.

Andrew Bowie, the nuclear minister, was speaking as the Tories seek to retain Boris Johnson’s old seat of Uxbridge and Ruislip as well as the traditionally safe seats of Somerton and Frome and Selby and Ainsty. 

Asked whether his party faced a trio of defeats, Mr Bowie told Times Radio: “Of course it’s possible we could lose all three - but it’s also possible that we might win all three.

“I’m an optimist, I’m a Scottish Conservative and Scotland football fan. I have to be an optimist.”

In a separate interview with Sky News, Mr Bowie added: “The Conservative Government are very proud of our record in government and very proud of what we’re seeking to achieve in the future.

“We’re in it to win it. I would encourage people to look at the record of the Conservative party in government, look at what we are promising to deliver in future and vote accordingly.”

Follow the latest updates below.