Labour wins two historic by-elections in Tory strongholds

Sir Keir Starmer hails ‘phenomenal’ night for Labour

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has praised the party’s candidates and activists for delivering a “phenomenal” night of by-election victories. Labour overturned two huge Conservative majorities in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire, sending a clear message to the government that the country deserves better.

Sir Keir said that winning in these Tory strongholds shows that the people overwhelmingly want change and are ready to put their faith in Labour’s positive vision. He added that Labour will spend every day acting in the interests of the voters and focused on their priorities.

He also challenged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call a general election, saying that Labour will give Britain its future back.

Sarah Edwards wins Tamworth with second largest swing since 1945

The first result of the night was in Tamworth, where Sarah Edwards won 11,719 votes and a swing of 23.9 per cent from the Conservatives. This is the second largest swing by Labour at a by-election since 1945, after the 29.4 per cent swing in Corby in 2012.

Ms Edwards, a former teacher and trade union activist, said that the people of Tamworth have voted for Labour’s positive vision and a fresh start. She said that they have had enough of the failed government, which has crashed the economy and destroyed public services.

She thanked her supporters and vowed to be a strong voice for Tamworth in Parliament.

Alistair Strathern overturns largest Tory majority ever at a by-election

Less than an hour later, Alistair Strathern won the Mid Bedfordshire seat with 13,872 votes, a swing of 20.5 per cent from the Conservatives. This is the largest Conservative majority (24,664) to be overturned by Labour at a by-election since 1945.

Mr Strathern, a former NHS doctor and local councillor, said that he was humbled and honoured by the trust placed in him by the voters. He said that he will fight for better health care, education and transport for his constituents.

He also criticised the government for its mishandling of the pandemic, Brexit and climate change.

How did Labour pull off these stunning victories?

Labour’s success in these by-elections can be attributed to several factors, such as:

• The unpopularity of Rishi Sunak and his government, which has been accused of corruption, incompetence and cronyism.
• The dissatisfaction of many traditional Tory voters with the government’s policies on Brexit, immigration and social issues.
• The appeal of Sir Keir Starmer and his leadership style, which has been seen as more moderate, competent and trustworthy than his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn.
• The effective campaign strategy of Labour, which focused on local issues, grassroots mobilisation and positive messaging.
• The low turnout of voters, which favoured Labour’s core supporters over Tory’s casual voters.

What does this mean for British politics?

These by-election results have shaken the political landscape of Britain and have raised questions about the future of both parties. Some of the implications are:

• Labour has regained its momentum and confidence after losing four general elections in a row. It has shown that it can win back voters from the Conservatives in their heartlands and challenge them for power.
• The Conservatives have suffered a major blow to their credibility and authority. They have lost two safe seats that they have held for decades and have seen their support erode across the country.
• The political map of Britain has become more unpredictable and volatile. The traditional north-south divide has been blurred and new battlegrounds have emerged.
• The pressure on Rishi Sunak has increased significantly. He faces growing criticism from his own party, the media and the public. He may have to reshuffle his cabinet, change his policies or even call an early election.