Wellingborough and Kingswood by-elections: Labour scores double victory over Tories

Labour has secured victories in two by-elections against the Conservatives, flipping significant majorities to claim Wellingborough and Kingswood.

In Wellingborough, Labour overcame a substantial majority of over 18,500 to win the Northamptonshire constituency.

This marked a notable swing of 28.5% from the Tories to Labour, the second-largest swing in any post-war by-election.

In Kingswood, where the Conservatives previously held a majority of over 11,000, there was a swing of 16.4%.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer interpreted the results as a signal that “people desire change and are willing to invest their trust in a reformed Labour Party to enact it.”

Meanwhile, Conservative deputy chairman James Daly acknowledged the defeats as “disappointing,” yet maintained that there was “no affection” for Sir Keir among voters.

These losses bring the total by-election defeats for the Tories in this Parliament to 10, surpassing any previous government since the 1960s.

With a general election slated for this year, these recent setbacks pose a significant challenge for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose party currently trails Labour in national polling.