Sadiq Khan casts his vote in the London Mayoral election
Labour has celebrated a significant victory in the Blackpool South by-election, while Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives faced a string of losses in local elections overnight. Sir Keir Starmer described Labour’s win in Blackpool South, where Chris Webb replaced ousted Tory MP Scott Benton, as “truly historic” and the “most important result” nationally.
Polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice predicted a tough day for the Prime Minister, with Reform UK pushing the Tories into third place in several council seats. However, Reform UK fell short of upsetting the Conservatives in Blackpool South, finishing third by just 100 votes.
As the results of key mayoral contests are awaited, a Tory MP hinted at a potential move against Rishi Sunak if West Midlands mayor Andy Street or Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen lose their positions. Former chancellor George Osborne warned of dire consequences if Houchen loses, suggesting it would signal a “massive landslide defeat” for the Conservatives.
The Liberal Democrats also saw gains overnight, with a party source expressing optimism about their prospects in upcoming elections. Labour’s new MP for Blackpool South, Chris Webb, called on Sunak to admit failure and call a general election following the by-election win.
Overall, the local election results indicate a challenging landscape for the Conservatives, with Labour making significant gains and the Liberal Democrats also seeing positive outcomes. The political scene remains dynamic as the country awaits the results of key mayoral contests.