NEW DELHI: The UK’s Labour party on Friday defeated the ruling Conservatives and secured the Blackpool South constituency parliamentary seat in a by-election that was held along with the council elections. The recent defeat is expected to increase pressure on the embattled Conservatives leader, Rishi Sunak when the country is going to polls next year.
Labour’s Chris Webb won with a swing of 26.3 percent.It was the third largest margin from the Conservatives to Labour in a by-election since World War II.
“This seismic win in Blackpool South is the most important result today,” said Labour leader Keir Starmer.
The by-election was conducted following a lobbying scandal that led to the resignation of the Conservative MP from this constituency.
The ruling Conservative Party, which has been in power nationally since 2010 is expected to witness significant losses in the upcoming general elections.
Additionally, early results indicated that the Labour party was gaining council seats. However, the focus was on important regional and London mayoral races, the results of which are anticipated on Friday and Saturday.
The Labour mayor of the capital, Sadiq Khan, is expected to secure a historic third term. However, the mayoral competitions in the West Midlands and Tees Valley, located in northeast England, are forecasted to be closely contested.
A win for the Labour opposition in any of the regions, which are known for being indicative constituencies, would be seen as more proof that voters are willing to bring the party back to national power.
There is a lot of speculation in the UK parliament at Westminster that if there is a poor performance, some restless Tory lawmakers may attempt to replace Sunak, who has been in charge since October 2022.
The victories of the current Conservative mayors in the West Midlands and Tees Valley, namely Andy Street and Ben Houchen, could increase their optimism that the troubled leader can still improve their prospects.
However, the Tories are facing criticism nationally on various issues such as water pollution, transport, and inflation, leading Street and Houchen to seem to separate themselves from the party during the campaign.
Pollsters predict that the Conservative Party may lose approximately half of the nearly 1,000 council seats they are currently defending in various cities, towns, and districts throughout England.
It is concerning for Sunak that the Conservatives barely secured second place in Blackpool South before the fringe Reform UK party, which poses a threat to split the right-wing vote in the upcoming general election.
Labour’s Chris Webb won with a swing of 26.3 percent.It was the third largest margin from the Conservatives to Labour in a by-election since World War II.
“This seismic win in Blackpool South is the most important result today,” said Labour leader Keir Starmer.
The by-election was conducted following a lobbying scandal that led to the resignation of the Conservative MP from this constituency.
The ruling Conservative Party, which has been in power nationally since 2010 is expected to witness significant losses in the upcoming general elections.
Additionally, early results indicated that the Labour party was gaining council seats. However, the focus was on important regional and London mayoral races, the results of which are anticipated on Friday and Saturday.
The Labour mayor of the capital, Sadiq Khan, is expected to secure a historic third term. However, the mayoral competitions in the West Midlands and Tees Valley, located in northeast England, are forecasted to be closely contested.
A win for the Labour opposition in any of the regions, which are known for being indicative constituencies, would be seen as more proof that voters are willing to bring the party back to national power.
There is a lot of speculation in the UK parliament at Westminster that if there is a poor performance, some restless Tory lawmakers may attempt to replace Sunak, who has been in charge since October 2022.
The victories of the current Conservative mayors in the West Midlands and Tees Valley, namely Andy Street and Ben Houchen, could increase their optimism that the troubled leader can still improve their prospects.
However, the Tories are facing criticism nationally on various issues such as water pollution, transport, and inflation, leading Street and Houchen to seem to separate themselves from the party during the campaign.
Pollsters predict that the Conservative Party may lose approximately half of the nearly 1,000 council seats they are currently defending in various cities, towns, and districts throughout England.
It is concerning for Sunak that the Conservatives barely secured second place in Blackpool South before the fringe Reform UK party, which poses a threat to split the right-wing vote in the upcoming general election.