Here’s a roundup of the key developments of the day: Voting has opened in Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth in byelections seen as crucial in gauging the electoral fate of Rishi Sunak, but difficult to predict. The Conservatives are defending majorities of nearly 25,000 in Mid Bedfordshire and close to 20,000 in Tamworth, which would normally point to an easy hold. However, their chances will be hampered by the party’s dismal poll ratings and the records of departing MPs. Rishi Sunak has said it is important that the war between Israel and Hamas does not escalate to the wider region. During his visit, the British prime minister told Benjamin Netanyahu that the UK “absolutely supports Israel’s right to defend itself in line with international law”. Sunak, who was visiting Jerusalem a day after Joe Biden did, flew to Saudi Arabia to meet the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, No 10 said. More than 60 international charities – including Action Aid UK, Bond, Cafod, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, Médecins Sans Frontières UK, Oxfam GB and Save the Children UK – have signed a statement calling on the UK government to step up its efforts to secure an urgent ceasefire in Israel and Gaza following the bombing of al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital in Gaza and the escalating instability and humanitarian crisis in the region. Nine members of the Glasgow Kelvin constituency Labour party executive committee have resigned in protest over Labour’s stance on Gaza. The group accuse the party leadership of “stifling” debate on the situation in Israel and Gaza. The government’s new law aimed at giving more support to renters, including banning no-fault evictions, will make its first appearance in parliament on Monday, Penny Mordaunt has said. The Commons leader said the renters reform bill would have its second reading in the Commons on Monday 23 October, PA reports. A coach carrying asylum seekers to be accommodated on the Bibby Stockholm arrived at Portland Port in Kent. People protesting against the use of the barge also gathered at the gates of Portland Port on Thursday as the asylum seekers were brought back on board. We are closing this liveblog shortly. Thanks so much for joining us.