feb 16, 2024 - UK By-Elections

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Keir Starmer has said Labour has "more work to do" after it inflicted two big by-election defeats on the Tories.

The party overturned majorities of 11,220 in Kingswood and 18,540 in Wellingborough, where the 28.5% swing was the second biggest from the Tories to Labour in any post-war by-election.

Sir Keir said he was "proud" of the results, but did not "want to get into the warm bath of saying: 'Job done'".

Rishi Sunak said "midterm" polls were "always difficult" for governments.

Speaking in Harlow, Essex, the prime minister said the circumstances of these elections were "particularly challenging".

The Wellingborough by-election was triggered by the ousting of disgraced former MP Peter Bone and the Kingswood poll by incumbent Chris Skidmore standing down in protest at government plans for new North Sea oil and gas licences.

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