By-elections latest: Blow for Sunak as Labour overturns Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire seats

Labour’s victories at Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth mean that swings of over 20 percentage points have taken place at eight by-elections in the past three years – a pattern that is unprecedented in recent political history.

Five of the eight swings have occurred in the past four months: Selby & Ainsty (23.7 points from Conservatives to Labour) and Somerton & Frome (29.0 points from Conservatives to the Liberal Democrats) in July; Rutherglen & Hamilton West (20.4 points from the SNP to Labour) earlier this month, and now Mid Bedfordshire (20.5 points) and Tamworth (23.9 points), both from Conservatives to Labour.

The others were Tiverton & Honiton (29.9 points) in June 2022, North Shropshire (34.1 points) in December 2021, and Chesham & Amersham (25.2 points) in June 2021, all from the Conservatives to the Liberal Democrats.

After winning Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the party will give “Britain its future back”.

“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.”

Labour has dealt a blow to Rishi Sunak by overturning a Tory majority of almost 20,000 in Tamworth.

With the potential for a historic by-election gain in Mid Bedfordshire where votes are still being counted, Labour could double the pain for the Prime Minister.

In Tamworth, Labour’s Sarah Edwards defeated Tory Andrew Cooper by a majority of 1,316.

The Conservatives were defending a 19,600 majority, but a 23.9 percentage point swing to Labour saw that eradicated.

It was the second highest ever by-election swing to Labour.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “This is a phenomenal result that shows Labour is back in the service of working people and redrawing the political map.

“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.”

But, with Labour enjoying a significant poll lead nationally and local outrage at Ms Dorries’ resignation this summer, Mr Sunak’s party lost the seat.

My colleague Archie Mitchell reports:

The swing from the Conservatives to Labour in Tamworth was 23.9 percentage points.

This is larger than the swing Labour achieved at the Selby & Ainsty by-election in July, which was 23.7 points.

It is also the second-largest swing managed by Labour at a by-election since 1945.

The highest was at the Dudley West by-election in December 1994, which was 29.1 points.

Sir Keir Starmer has hailed a shock win in Tamworth as evidence the party is “back… and redrawing the political map”.

Reacting to the results, the Labour leader said: “This is a phenomenal result that shows Labour is back in the service of working people and redrawing the political map.

“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.”

Tamworth’s newly elected Labour MP Sarah Edwards issued a statement after her win in a previously Tory majority constituency.

“Tonight we have turned the page on Tory neglect and delivered a fresh start for Tamworth and our villages,” said Ms Edwards.

In a message to her electorate, she said: “I know a lot of you have voted Labour for the first time and I will not let you down.

“I’ve spoken to many people in this campaign and the same conversation has been repeated: people feel worse off after 13 years of the Conservatives and don’t feel like the government have a plan to address the big issues that face our country.”

She added: “My message to the prime minister is get in your government car, drive to Buckingham Palace, do the decent thing and call a general election.”

Tamworth’s new MP Sarah Edwards said: “Tonight the people of Tamworth have voted for Labour’s positive vision and a fresh start.

“They’ve sent a clear message to Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives that they have had enough of this failed government, which has crashed the economy and destroyed our public services.

“The people of Tamworth have made it clear. It’s time for change.”