Byelection spending suggests tacit Labour and Lib Dems deal on fighting Tory-held seats

The newly elected Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Dyke with her leader, Ed Davey, after winning the Somerton and Frome byelection in July. Davey had ruled out a tactical voting pact with Labour. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

Labour and the Liberal Democrats appear to have made space for each other in byelections held in Conservative seats, spending figures acquired by the Guardian show.

The figures also show Labour lost the Uxbridge and South Ruislip byelection despite outspending the Conservatives by more than £21,000 in the campaign.