Sir Keir Starmer is “on course” to be the next prime minister after Labour’s by-election victories in Wellingborough and Kingswood, Professor Sir John Curtice said.
The polling expert told the BBC: “For Labour, frankly, this is all pretty much good news. They will be slightly disappointed that they didn’t do better in Kingswood, they can’t complain much about what they achieved in Wellingborough. Sir Keir Starmer, one has to say at the moment, still looks to be on course to be our next prime minister.”
Labour snatched both seats away from the Tories overnight in a major blow to Rishi Sunak. The Conservatives now have lost more by-elections in a single parliament than any administration since the 1960s.
Sir Keir said the results were “fantastic” and showed “people want change and are ready to put their faith in a changed Labour Party to deliver it”.
He said: “By winning in these Tory strongholds, we can confidently say that Labour is back in the service of working people and we will work tirelessly to deliver for them.
“The Tories have failed. Rishi’s recession proves that. That’s why we’ve seen so many former Conservative voters switching directly to this changed Labour Party.”
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William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
