Boris Johnson’s leadership of the Tory party may face further challenges after the Conservatives suffered a double blow in two crunch by-elections.
The Liberal Democrats overturned a 24,000 Tory majority to win in Tiverton and Honiton, while Labour reclaimed Wakefield in contests triggered by the resignation of disgraced Tories. The ballots came just weeks after 41% of his own MPs voted against him as leader.
In Tiverton and Honiton, Neil Parish – the Tory MP who had more than 60% of the vote in 2019 – resigned after admitting he had watched pornography on his phone in the House of Commons. A dramatic swing of almost 30% from the Tories to the Liberal Democrats saw Richard Foord secure a majority of 6,144.
