Byelection results - live: Boost for Starmer after Rochdale ‘shambles’ as Labour clinches two major victories
Labour overturns two large majorities to take seats in Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire on a bad night for the Conservative party
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Two byelection victories have boosted Keir Starmer after a difficult week for Labour in which the party was accused of a “shambolic” handling of an antisemitism row.
Labour overturned huge Tory majorities to win in Kingswood and Wellingborough, meaning the Conservatives have now suffered the most byelection defeats of any government since the 1960s.
Speaking to broadcasters on Friday morning, Mr Starmer acknowledged it had been a “bumpy” week, but insisted the victories suggest the public can see that his party has changed since Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, which was often overshadowed by controversies surrounding its handling of antisemitism allegations.
“I think there is a message now from these by-elections… I think the country is crying out for change. Everybody knows that,” he added.
Earlier, Rishi Sunak insisted that his government’s “plan is working” as he urged voters to stick with the Conservatives in the wake of thedouble defeat.
The prime minister said the circumstances surrounding the by-elections in Kingswood and Wellingborough were “particularly challenging” and suggested that the low turnout meant that there “isn’t a huge amount of enthusiasm for the alternative in Keir Starmer,” who he claimed had “no plan” for government.
Sunak says by-election circumstances ‘particularly challenging'
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said the circumstances surrounding the Wellingborough and Kingswood by-elections were “particularly challenging” after the Tories suffered a double defeat to Labour at the polls.
The by-election in Kingswood was called after former MP Chris Skidmore stepped down in protest against the government plans for oil and gas in the North Sea.
Meanwhile, The by-election in Wellingborough was called after disgraced ex-MP Peter Bone was booted out of parliament for indecently exposing himself to a staff member and trapping him in a hotel bathroom.
The results mean the government has now suffered the most by-election defeats of any government since the 1960s, surpassing the eight defeats suffered by John Major in the run-up to Tony Blair’s 1997 landslide victory.
Sunak urges voters not to back Reform
A vote for anyone except the Conservatives is a vote for Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister has said.
Rishi Sunak told reporters the actual choice at the general election is “between me and him”, referring to the Labour leader.
Following the double by-election defeat, Mr Sunak was asked whether he was more concerned about Reform UK or Labour and said: “A vote for anyone who isn’t the Conservative candidate, whether that’s Reform or anyone else, is just a vote to put Keir Starmer in power.
“That’s the actual choice at the general election, between me and him, between the Conservatives and Labour.
“Now I believe our plan is working. At the start of this year we’re heading in the right direction, taxes are coming down, inflation is falling, and if we stick with that plan we can deliver everyone a brighter future.”
New Labour MP ‘grateful’ to community
Damien Egan, the new MP for Kingswood, has said he is proud to represent the community he is from.
“It hasn’t settled in, I don’t know how to feel,” the Labour MP said. “I went through so many emotions yesterday; I finished the election thinking ‘I’m not sure if we’re over the line’.
“And then obviously, people have turned out and I’m just so grateful for the people of Kingswood putting their trust in me.
“I grew up in Kingswood and went to school at Hanham High, my family are here, it means a huge amount to be able to represent and speak for the community that you’re from.
“But there’s lots to fix, there is a long list of issues that people have raised with me.
“That’s going to be my job, to make sure that those voices are heard in Parliament.”
Conservative party chairman will not say he’s standing as a Conservative candidate at next election
The Conservative party chairman has refused to confirm that he will be standing as a candidate at the next general election
Sir Richard Holden told LBC’s Nick Ferarri that he’s “not decided” but if he “does go for selection anywhere, that will very much be down to the local associations”.
When pushed by Mr Ferarri on whether the “chairman might desert the ship”, Mr Holden said he was “hoping to” seek a candidature.
He said: “We’ll have to see if there’s any vacancies and people decide to stand down or retire, but I’m hopeful that I will get selected somewhere – let’s leave it at that.”
Rishi Sunak has insisted his government’s “plan is working” despite recession and two record by-election losses
Rishi Sunak has insisted that “our plan is working” and he can “give everyone the piece of mind that there is a better future for them and their families”.
Asked how it is possible to cut taxes during a recession, he said: “Because of our plan to halve inflation, which has been successful over the past year, and because economic conditions have improved. We have already been able to start cutting taxes for people.”
Speaking to reporters, the PM said: “We’ve clearly been through a lot over the past couple of years as a country, but I genuinely believe at the start of this year we’re pointing in the right direction.
“Now we’re not out of the woods yet, but across all the priorities that I set out we’re making progress.”
“And if we stick with that plan, I can give everyone the peace of mind that there is a better future for them and their families ahead, and we can all have a renewed sense of pride in the country,” he added.
Watch: Sunak breaks silence after double by-election
Sunak’s leadership ‘solid’ despite by-election losses, says Rees-Mogg
Rishi Sunak’s leadership is “solid” despite the double by-election losses in Wellingborough and Kingswood, former minister Jacob Rees-Mogg has said.
Speaking to the BBC, the right-leaning Tory MP said: “Rishi Sunak’s leadership is solid and has support and by-elections don’t change that.”
A plot to oust Mr Sunak by allies of Mr Rees-Mogg recently bubbled to the surface at the time of a crucial vote on his Rwanda legislation, but quickly fizzled out after being met with scorn from other prominent Tories.
‘Last chance saloon’ to change course by ousting Sunak, Tory MP claims
Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns has repeated her call for Rishi Sunak to be replaced as leader.
She warned her party that “sticking heads in the sand will make matters worse”.
She wrote on X: “However difficult for fellow MPs we have no choice, we have to change leader. We don’t want to be here but sticking heads in the sand will make matters worse.
“Last chance saloon to change course with a new leader, be tough on immigration & save our great country from the socialists.”
A vote for Reform is a vote for Starmer, says Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak has told voters that a cross for Reform UK on the ballot paper is a vote for Sir Keir Starmer, as the party claimed third place in both of last night’s by-elections.
The PM said the “actual choice” at the general election is “between me and him”, referring to the Labour leader.
Reform gained 13 per cent of the vote in Wellingborough and 10 per cent in Kingswood, with the party leader Richard Tice stating it is “solidifying” itself as the third-largest political party in the UK.
Following the double by-election defeat, when Mr Sunak was asked whether he was more concerned about Reform UK or Labour during a visit to Harlow, Essex, he said: “A vote for anyone who isn’t the Conservative candidate, whether that’s Reform or anyone else, is just a vote to put Keir Starmer in power.
“That’s the actual choice at the general election, between me and him, between the Conservatives and Labour.
“Now I believe our plan is working. At the start of this year we’re heading in the right direction, taxes are coming down, inflation is falling, and if we stick with that plan we can deliver everyone a brighter future.”
Sunak urged to hold election in May after bruising by-election defeat
A former cabinet minister said Rishi Sunak should call an election in May.
“It is our best chance of getting most (Tory MPs) back,” they told The Independent. “Otherwise it will seem like we are just holding on”.
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