Labour has taken Tamworth from the Conservatives in a historic by-election victory for Sir Keir Starmer’s party.
The seat in Staffordshire has been held by the Tories since 2010, with the last election seeing the party secure a majority of almost 20,000.
Politics Live: Keir Starmer hails ‘phenomenal result’ after record-breaking by-election win
But it was left vacant by former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher, who quit parliament following allegations he groped two men at a private members club in London.
Labour’s win is the largest Conservative percentage majority overturned by the party at a by-election since 1945.
The swing from the Conservatives to Labour is 23.9% – the second biggest since 1945.
Labour candidate Sarah Edwards won 11,719 votes compared to Conservative Andy Cooper’s 10,403 – giving her a majority of 1,316.
Ms Edwards said: “Tonight the people of Tamworth have voted for Labour’s positive vision and a fresh start.
“They’ve sent a clear message to Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives that they have had enough of this failed government, which has crashed the economy and destroyed our public services.
“The people of Tamworth have made it clear. It’s time for change.”
Keir Starmer said: “This is a phenomenal result that shows Labour is back in the service of working people and redrawing the political map.
“To those who have given us their trust, and those considering doing so, Labour will spend every day acting in your interests and focused on your priorities. Labour will give Britain its future back.”
Labour’s shadow environment secretary Steve Reed was in Sky’s Westminster studio when it was announced that his party’s candidate had won the Tamworth by-election.
Reacting to the win, Mr Reed said: “This is a historic moment. That by-election result is an earthquake.”
Labour has also delivered a historic defeat to the Conservatives by winning Mid Bedfordshire for the first time in the constituency’s century-long history.
Losing Tamworth will come as a blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, with tonight’s results widely seen as a test of his and the Conservatives’ popularity ahead of a general election expected next year.
The Tories were accused of expectation management when ahead of the vote, they said holding onto the safe seats would be challenging as “the rule of thumb is that governments don’t win” by-elections.
