All articles tagged with #by elections
Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney gains ground toward a majority after Lori Idlout (NDP, Nunavut) defects to the Liberals, joining other Conservative-crossovers; three April by-elections could push the Liberals to 173 seats, potentially avoiding another election for years.
Labour secures two significant by-election victories in Wellingborough and Kingswood, furthering the trend of Conservative setbacks and Labour's advancement. Despite the substantial wins, Labour leader Keir Starmer remains cautious, emphasizing that his party is only "credible contenders" for the general election. The results also highlight the growing influence of Reform UK, causing concern for the Conservatives. While some Tories express worry about the party's future, others maintain a sense of resigned acceptance, acknowledging the challenges of shifting public opinion in these by-elections.
The UK's ruling Conservative Party suffered double by-election defeats at the hands of the opposition Labour Party, marking a historic blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Labour's momentum continues to grow, with significant vote swings in Wellingborough and Kingswood, leading to their first win in Wellingborough since 2001. These defeats add to a string of unfavorable by-election results for the Conservatives, with Labour maintaining a lead in national polling. The UK economy slipping into recession and growing by just 0.1% in 2023 further compounds the challenges faced by the ruling party.
Britain's Labour Party secured victories in two parliamentary by-elections, dealing a blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservatives and indicating a potential shift in the country's political landscape. The defeats have increased pressure on Sunak, who has faced criticism for his party's flagging fortunes and is struggling to meet election promises amid economic challenges and public discontent. With Labour leading in polls, Sunak may face calls to adopt a more right-wing conservative agenda to win back disaffected voters before the upcoming national election.
Reform UK leader Richard Tice anticipates the party's "best ever" by-election result following positive performance in the Wellingborough and Kingswood polls, expressing confidence in translating support into votes. A potential double defeat in these by-elections could pose a significant challenge for the Conservative Party and Rishi Sunak, with concerns growing about their ability to secure victory in the next general election. Meanwhile, Labour remains focused on campaigning for working people and addressing the cost of living, aiming to make progress across the country.
Labour celebrates a significant swing from the Tories in the Selby by-election, while the Liberal Democrats overturn a large Tory majority in Somerset and Frome. However, the Conservatives narrowly hold on to Boris Johnson's former seat in Uxbridge and South Ruislip. Labour attributes their loss to the planned expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez), while the Conservatives claim it was due to voter anger over Ulez. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insists that the general election is not a "done deal," but the by-election results indicate a challenging road ahead for him.
Former cabinet minister Nadine Dorries claims "sinister forces" prevented her from receiving a seat in the House of Lords. This comes after MPs await the publication of a report into whether Boris Johnson misled MPs over pandemic events in Downing Street. The report is due on Wednesday and is expected to be devastating to the former prime minister's reputation. The fallout from Johnson's resignation honours list has also fueled a continuing rift within the Conservative Party, including a war of words between Rishi Sunak and Johnson. Downing Street is now facing a hat-trick of by-elections after Dorries, Johnson, and Nigel Adams announced their resignations in quick succession.
Energy Secretary Grant Shapps has said that the country "wants to move on" from Boris Johnson, dismissing claims that the former PM was the victim of a witch hunt. Shapps also denied reports that Rishi Sunak's team prevented Johnson from handing out honours to key allies. Johnson resigned as an MP, saying he had been forced out by a "Kangaroo Court" of MPs investigating Partygate. His resignation also triggers a by-election in his marginal constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip, along with two other safe seats for the Conservatives.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned as a member of Parliament after an investigation into his flouting of Covid-19 rules while he was in office would result in sanctions for the MP. Johnson’s resignation represents a stunning fall from grace for the populist leader elected in a 2019 landslide to “get Brexit done.” It’s also created further turmoil in his Conservative party, already beset by chaos in the wake of Johnson’s resignation as prime minister last September. The Tory party is widely unpopular, which is likely to affect the by-elections Johnson’s exit will trigger.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's sudden resignation from parliament has caused rifts within the ruling Conservative Party, with some lawmakers expressing disquiet. Johnson quit in protest against an investigation into his conduct during the COVID-19 pandemic, and his departure means the Conservatives must now fight three by-elections. The opposition Labour Party, which is ahead in opinion polls, said it relished the prospect of fighting the by-elections in Conservative-held constituencies. A YouGov poll showed 65% of Britons thought Johnson knowingly misled parliament.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party won four out of five key by-elections, seen as crucial tests of his popularity. However, Kishida ruled out dissolving the Lower House and calling for a snap poll after the Group of Seven leaders' meeting in Hiroshima next month.