United Kingdom: Labor Party once again comfortably defeats Sunak in two by-elections | International

The Labor Party achieved two historic by-election victories in the Wellingborough and Kingswood constituencies. The results announced in the early hours of Friday reflect a dramatic shift in favor of the British left and reinforce the general feeling that Keir Starmer could be the next minister of the United Kingdom in the general election – expected next autumn -.

It is common to hold mini-elections throughout the legislature, to replace MPs who have died, become ill or, in most cases, have resigned or been expelled by the party. The two cases which led to the Wellinghborough and Kingswood elections also have a strong dose of symbolism. In the first constituency, the cause that called to the polls was the disgrace of Peter Bone, a historic Conservative and staunch supporter of Brexit, accused of workplace abuse and sexual harassment of a parliamentary adviser. In Kingswood, Chris Skidmore resigned his seat after the Sunak government’s U-turn on environmental issues, granting new oil and gas extraction licenses.

“People want change,” celebrated Labor leader Keir Starmer, upon learning of his party’s two victories. “We have returned to serving citizens and we will work tirelessly to fulfill our commitments,” he added.

Both constituencies were traditionally conservative majority territories. In the case of Wellingborough, Labor candidate Gen Kitchen won almost 46% of the vote, compared to 24.6% for Conservative Helen Harrison. An increase of 28.5% (18,500 votes) compared to the previous result. In Kingswood, Labor Damien Egan obtained 44.9% against 34.9% for Conservative Sam Bromiley.

The general analysis of the results highlights two equally relevant factors. First, Labor’s victory was overwhelming, but tempered by very low turnout (around 40%) and the fragmentation of the right-wing vote.

In both votes, Reform United Kingdom (Reform Party), of which the historic populist politician who defends Brexit, Nigel Farage, remains honorary president, obtained support of 13% and 10.4%. He captured the votes of a Conservative electorate who once expressed their vital discontent by voting against the EU and who are doing so today by voting against the figure of Sunak and the deterioration of the quality of life across the country.

And this despite the fact that Reform United Kingdom He did not put much effort into these by-elections. “The results show that they have become a candidate to consider, having finished third in both places,” election analyst John Curtice, one of the most respected voices on the subject, told the BBC. “There is an ongoing battle for the votes of disaffected Conservative Party voters, and Reform United Kingdom has already set the bar for its possibilities,” Curtice said.

The data, against Sunak

What does a week give in politics? The leader of the Labor Party, Keir Starmer, tried on Monday to redress the serious internal situation of his party with cross accusations of anti-Semitism and a few expelled candidates. On Thursday, however, attention turned to Rishi Sunak and his promises of economic improvement, after news that the UK had entered a technical recession at the end of 2023.

The results of the by-elections, however ignored they may be by the preservativesreinforce the feeling that the timetable is running out and that Sunak will not be able to reverse the electoral defeat predicted by all the polls.

Conservative leaders admitted the results were disappointing, but their warnings revealed fears that a resurgence of populism on the party’s right could complicate matters further. “His ambition (that of Reform United Kingdom) is to block the Tories and help Starmer into Downing Street. “They made it very clear,” Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden accused his rivals at the BBC.

The real pet peeve of preservativesHowever, it is not the current leader of Reform UK, Richard Tice, but Farage himself, who has been lavish in the media in recent months and maintains his popularity among the electorate who voted for Brexit . “If I see a truly historic opportunity to take part in the next general election and win a good number of seats for the Conservative Party, I probably will,” he announced this morning to the terror of many. preservatives.

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