The Conservatives have suffered a double defeat in the two by elections that took place yesterday with Labour overturning large majorities
Labour gained the seats of Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire
In the latter, the party won for the first time in the constituency’s century-long history.
The vote was triggered by Nadine Dorries’ long-burning resignation, it was the largest majority in terms of votes overturned by the party at a by-election since 1945.
The New MP Alistair Strathern highlighted one voter’s story in his speech, a man in his 90s who had been voting Labour his whole life in Bedfordshire without seeing a Labour MP. “I hope the wait was worth it.”
In Tamworth,the seat vacated by Chris Poncher the new MP Sarah Edwards said the result sent a “clear message to Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives they have had enough of this failed government”.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says: “Winning in these Tory strongholds shows that people overwhelmingly want change and they’re ready to put their faith in our changed Labour Party to deliver it.
“Voters across Mid Bedfordshire, Tamworth and Britain want a Labour government determined to deliver for working people, with a proper plan to rebuild our country.
“To those who have given us their trust, and those considering doing so, Labour will spend every day acting in your interests and focused on your priorities. Labour will give Britain its future back.”
Professor John Curtice told the BBC:
“Both of them are extremely bad news for the Conservatives. In whatever criteria you use, they’re up there very clearly in the top 10 worst Conservative performances against the Labour Party.”
Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper said: “We nearly doubled our share of the vote which would see the Lib Dems win dozens of seats off the Conservatives in a general election.”
