Rishi Sunak puts by-election disasters down to mid-term blues and ‘local factors’

Published

2 years ago

October 20, 2023

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Rishi Sunak has defended the Conservatives after two by-election losses overnight, claiming mid-term polls are “always difficult” and “local factors” were at play.

The party lost their seats in both Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire in the early hours of Friday morning, as Labour overturned two huge Conservative majorities to deal a double blow to the government.

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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the results showed his party could “now win anywhere” and that former Tory voters were switching allegiances at the ballot box.

But the prime minister insisted the “context” was everything, telling broadcasters: “Obviously [these were] disappointing results and not least because our candidates… worked very hard and I know they will continue to be great local champions in their communities.

“It is important to remember the context – midterm by-elections are always difficult for an incumbent government and of course there were also local factors at play here.

“[But] I am committed to delivering on the priorities of the British people.”

The contests were trigged after the high profile exits of Nadine Dorries, after she was denied a peerage on Boris Johnson’s honours list, and Chris Pincher, who faced an eight-week suspension over groping allegations.

Mid Bedfordshire saw the largest numeric Tory majority ever overturned by Labour at a by-election since 1945 – despite the constituency being blue since 1931 – as Alistair Strathern took the seat with a majority of 1,192 over his Tory rival Festus Akinbusoye.

And in Tamworth, a 23.9% swing to Labour eradicated the previous Tory majority of 19,600, with Sarah Edwards defeating Andrew Cooper by a majority of 1,316 – the second-highest-ever by-election swing to Labour.

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Even before the prime minister’s comments, senior Conservatives had been trying to portray the defeats as mid-term blues, along with claiming that their own supporters had stayed at home, rather than making the switch to the opposition.

But one Tory MP told Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby that their colleagues were “deluded” if they believed that.

Elections expert Professor Sir John Curtice said the two results were “extremely bad news” for the Conservatives and suggested Mr Sunak was on course for general election defeat when it comes around next year.

“This isn’t destiny, but it is a pointer,” he said. “And it is a pointer that, unless the Conservatives can fairly dramatically and fairly radically turn things around, then they are in truth staring defeat in the face in 12 months’ time.”

He also warned that, as well as the Tories risking votes drifting to Labour on the left, they could fall to Reform UK – formally Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party – on the right.

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But the prime minister insisted to reporters that he was going to focus on his priorities rather than the losses, adding: “That’s why we are going to keep on with halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting waiting lists and stopping the boats.

“Also over the past month, I have set out some long-term decisions that will change our country for the better – a new approach to net zero that will save families thousands of pounds, ensuring that we take a different approach to HS2 [by] investing £36bn in hundreds of other transport projects around the country that will benefit people faster, and ensuring an entire generation of our young children can grow up without smoking.

“Those are the type of decisions that I am making for our country, that’s the change that I am delivering, and I am committed to delivering for the British people.”

Politics

UK played ‘vital role’ in Gaza peace deal, says Trump aide, after minister branded ‘delusional’

Published

12 mins ago

October 13, 2025

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UK played 'vital role' in Gaza peace deal, says Trump aide, after minister branded 'delusional'

Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to the Middle East, has claimed the UK played a “vital role” in helping negotiate the Gaza peace deal, smoothing over a potential diplomatic row between London and Washington.

Witkoff took to X on Monday, ahead of meeting President Donald Trump in Israel, to praise the UK.

“I would like to acknowledge the vital role of the United Kingdom in assisting and coordinating efforts that have led us to this historic day in Israel,” Witkoff wrote.

“In particular, I want to recognise the incredible input and tireless efforts of National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell.”

His comments came 24 hours after education secretary Bridget Phillipson was branded “delusional” by Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, for claiming that Sir Keir Starmer’s presence at a signing ceremony for today’s ceasefire deal in Egypt “demonstrates the key role that we [Britain] have played”.

The minister made her remarks on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips but did not say exactly what the UK’s role in the ceasefire, largely attributed to Donald Trump, is or was.

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Phillipson added: “We have played a key role behind the scenes in shaping this.

“It’s right that we do so because it’s in all of our interest, including our own national interest, that we move to a lasting peace in the region.

“These are complex matters of diplomacy that we are involved in. But we do welcome and recognise the critical role that the American government played in moving us to this point.”

Her comments prompted Mr Huckabee to repost the Sky News clip on social media, claiming: “I assure you she’s delusional.”

He added: “She can thank Donald Trump anytime just to set the record straight.”

Mr Huckabee was part of the negotiating team for the peace deal, with Mr Trump calling the former Arkansas governor “AMAZING” as he said he “worked so hard, and did so much, to bring about peace in the Middle East”.

In August, Mr Huckabee said the UK and other European nations that said they would declare a Palestinian state were “having the counterproductive effect that they probably think that they want”.

Israel: UK did not play key role in peace deal

Israel’s deputy foreign affairs minister, Sharren Haskell backed Huckabee, telling Sky News the UK played “the opposite” of a key role in the peace deal after recognising the Palestinian state.

“The message that the UK government has sent Hamas was the message that: the longer they continue this war, they will be rewarded.

“I mean, you must understand that when a terrorist organisation is thanking you. You are on the wrong side of history.”

It is understood the prime minister has underlined Mr Trump’s key role in securing this deal throughout the process. Publicly, he praised Mr Trump twice in his press conference in India on Thursday.

Ms Phillipson stood by the September decision to declare a Palestinian state, saying it was “the right thing to do”.

Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, told Sky News it was a “moment of leadership” for the UK to declare a Palestinian state, and a “responsibility to begin to correct a century of the gravest historic injustices committed against our people”.

He added: “That moment three weeks ago, when the UK did recognise, is a moment when we can say that the wheels of history are turning in a different direction.”

No plans for British troops on the ground

The education secretary also told Sky News the government has “no plans” to put British troops into Israel or Gaza as part of a stabilisation force after the ceasefire.

The US military will help establish a multinational force in Israel, known as a civil-military coordination centre, which is likely to include troops from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the UAE.

On Friday, US officials said up to 200 US troops already based in the Middle East will be moved to Israel to help monitor the ceasefire in Gaza.

The day before, President Trump announced Israel and Hamas had “signed off on the first phase” of a peace plan he unveiled last week.

Aid trucks have been gathering in Egypt to cross into Gaza after months of warnings by aid groups of famine in parts of the territory.

In Israel, the remaining hostages are due to be returned from Gaza by Hamas on Monday under the first phase of the peace plan. Twenty are believed to still be alive, 26 have been declared dead, while the fate of two is unknown.

The ceasefire agreement has been made two years after Hamas stormed Israel on 7 October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

Israel’s military offensive has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which the UN deems reliable.