British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's governing Conservatives suffered two crushing defeats in previously safe parliamentary seats on Friday, raising doubts about his party's ability to win the general election expected next year.
The double defeat showed a dramatic slump in support for the Conservatives, who have won the last four national elections, and is only the third time that a British prime minister has lost two by-elections on the same day since 1991.
"These are phenomenal results," Labour leader Keir Starmer said in a statement. "Winning in these Tory strongholds shows that people overwhelmingly want change and they’re ready to put their faith in our changed Labour Party to deliver it." A spokesman the Conservatives said the results had been difficult but governments usually struggle to win elections mid-term.
After the conference, polls showed Sunak had failed to significantly narrow the deficit with Labour, although his personal ratings improved marginally.Labour had played down its chances of winning either seat with Starmer's spokesman saying this week his party had the same likelihood of a "moonshot".
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