THE Tories have clung on to Boris Johnson’s old seat in Uxbridge – but were dealt bloody noses in North Yorkshire and the South West during yesterday’s by-elections.
Labour overturned its largest ever majority at a by-election – a 24 point swing – to win Selby and Ainsty.
Conservative candidate Steve Tuckwell beat Labour’s Danny Beales to replace Boris Johnson as the MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Labour candidate Keir Mather, 25, overturned the Tory majority of 20,137 in Selby and Ainsty
Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrat Party candidate, celebrates overturning an 11,000 majority to win Somerton and Frome
And in Somerton and Frome the Lib Dems managed a 29 point swing to swoop up the constituency of disgraced ex-MP David Warburton.
In a major blow to Sir Keir Starmer, a huge anti-ULEZ vote helped Tory candidate Steve Tuckwell defy the polls and claim victory.
Conservative chairman Greg Hands said: “An amazing result in Uxbridge!
“It shows that when Labour run something (like London) they run it badly and Sir Keir Starmer flip flops on ULEZ, showing he can’t be trusted.”
Mr Johnson chimed in: “Fantastic news from Uxbridge.
“This shows the Conservatives can win in London and around the country.”
An opposition spokesperson admitted Sadiq Khan’s controversial policy was a “concern for voters” but stopped short of calling for it to be scrapped.
In the South West an overjoyed Lib Dem Leader Sir Ed Davey declared his party are “firmly back in the West Country.”
He said: “The people of Somerton and Frome have spoken for the rest of the country who are fed up with Rishi Sunak’s out-of-touch Conservative government.”
Selby will now will now be home to parliament’s youngest MP.
25-year-old Keir Mather will replace Boris ultra-loyalist Nigel Adams.
Discussing the victory, Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer last night said: “We don’t want parliament to become like the Inbetweeners.”
Shadow Cabinet Minister Baroness Jenny Chapman hit back: “He’s a young person but he’s not somebody who’s full of themselves.
“He’s intelligent and he’s done a great job.”
