What's happened
Labour has won the Blackpool South parliamentary by-election, securing a significant majority of 7,607 votes. The victory has heaped pressure on the Conservatives, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer calling it a 'seismic win'. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Tory MP Scott Benton following a lobbying scandal. The results indicate a potential significant shift in voter sentiment, with the Conservatives facing losses in both the by-election and local council contests.
Why it matters
Labour's victory in the Blackpool South by-election and potential losses for the Conservatives in local elections mark a significant shift in political dynamics. The results suggest a growing lack of trust in the Conservatives and a resurgence of support for Labour. This could have far-reaching implications for the upcoming general election and the future direction of UK politics.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that the UK's top election expert predicts a potential loss of up to 500 seats for the Conservatives in the local elections, marking one of their worst performances in 40 years. The Guardian highlights Labour's victory in Blackpool South as a significant win, with leader Keir Starmer calling it a 'seismic win'. Sky News emphasizes the impact of Labour's win on Rishi Sunak, while The Scotsman and Metro provide detailed accounts of the by-election results and the pressure on the Conservatives.
How we got here
The by-election in Blackpool South was triggered by the resignation of former Tory MP Scott Benton following a lobbying scandal. Labour's Chris Webb secured a significant victory, with a majority of 7,607 votes. The results come amidst a challenging political landscape for the Conservatives, who are facing losses in both the by-election and local council contests.
Common question
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The Labour Party is a centre-left political party in the United Kingdom that has been described as an alliance of social democrats, democratic socialists and trade unionists.
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The Conservative Party, officially the Conservative and Unionist Party, and also known colloquially as the Tories, Tory Party, or simply the Conservatives, is a political party in the United Kingdom.
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Scott Lloyd Benton is a British Conservative Party politician who was elected at the 2019 general election as the Member of Parliament for Blackpool South. He was previously a councillor on Calderdale Council.
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Blackpool South is a constituency in Lancashire, represented in the House of Commons since 2019 by Scott Benton, a Conservative.
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Rishi Sunak is a British politician who has served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2022.
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Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Sir John Kevin Curtice FRSA FRSE FBA is a British political scientist who is currently Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde and Senior Research Fellow at the National Centre for Social Research.