BIG WIN
By-election 2023: Tories keep hold of Boris Johnson’s old seat in massive blow to Keir Starmer
THE Tories last night held on to Boris Johnson's former seat in a blow to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Labour had hoped to take Uxbridge and South Ruislip, which the former prime minister held with a majority of 7,210 in 2019.
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But their hopes were dashed when Tory Steve Tuckwell managed to retain it for Rishi Sunak's party.
The Liberal Democrats won in Somerton and Frome - where the Conservatives had a majority of more than 19,000 at the last general election - and Labour won in Selby and Ainsty.
Less than two hours after polls closed, the Liberal Democrats claimed they had "romped home" in Somerton and Frome.
A Lib Dem spokesman said: "We've not just won, we've romped home in Somerton and Frome.
"The Conservative vote is in freefall."
Lib Dem chief Sir Ed Davey yesterday said: "If the Liberal Democrats succeed in overturning this massive 19,000 Conservative majority, it will show voters in Somerset are fed up with being taken for granted by Rishi Sunak and his failing government."
Sir Keir Starmer said: "Today, voters in Uxbridge, Selby and Somerton and Frome have a chance to vote for change by voting Labour.
"We can build a better Britain."
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On Wednesday night at a meeting of the 1922 Committee, the PM urged his party to band together regardless of today's results.
He promised that when MPs return from the summer recess break in September he'll lay out a new and inspiring agenda to ready the party for next year's general election.
"In the coming months, I am going to set out more of what I would do if I had a full term," Mr Sunak said.
"When we come back in September we have a choice to make, all of us. Do we come together and throw everything at winning the next election or not?
"I've made my choice, I'm all in with you to win.
"I promise you we can do this but we can only do it together as one team."
As the by-elections take place, in No10 Mr Sunak will be busy deciding when to push the button on a cabinet reshuffle.
Yesterday he refused to say if that would come this week.
“You would never expect me to comment on things like that," the PM told reporters.
“What I'm determined to do is just deliver on the priorities that I set out for the country - halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats.”
But Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told a forum in Aspen, US, he was directly addressing the PM by saying he wanted to “stay put”.
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The PM's press secretary acknowledged it would be tough for the Tories to hold the three seats tomorrow.
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She said: "By-elections, for incumbent governments, are very difficult, that is the nature of them.
"The election that the Conservative Party is most focused on is the general election."
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