Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Sheikh Qassem: We, our allies, the honorable in our nation, our people, and our army will never accept being subservient to the US or 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: They must despair, for whatever they do, this people cannot be defeated or broken, and we shall neither fall nor yield
Sheikh Qassem: Threats neither advance nor delay matters, yet the possibility of war or its absence exists because 'Israel' and the US are weighing their options
Sheikh Qassem: All these threats are simply a form of political pressure after a whole year of efforts proved ineffective
Sheikh Qassem: 'Israel's' 'servants' in Lebanon are few, but they cause problems by obstructing the country’s stability, growth, and liberation alongside the US and 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: Weapons block 'Israel’s' project, and anyone seeking disarmament plays into 'Israel’s' hands
Sheikh Qassem: The agreement came because we held fast, empowered by our vision, our faith, our will, our people, our patriotism, and our unwavering attachment to our land
Sheikh Qassem: People of Might Battle was a confrontation by a modest force, incomparable to the enemy's strength, but it was noble in spirit, brimming with courage, resolve, and unwavering faith in victory
Sheikh Qassem: Today, Lebanon is under an Israeli aerial occupation
Sheikh Qassem: The project of "Israel" came crashing into the defenses of the People of Might Battle

UK Tories lose 2 seats to Labour in by-elections, Sunak blamed

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 16 Feb 2024 11:46
3 Min Read

The main Labour opposition wins its second-largest by-election after a Tory MP quit and another faced backlash over bullying his staff.

  • x
  • Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks with business leaders during the first meeting of his Business Council inside 10 Downing Street, central London, Wednesday Feb. 14, 2024. (AP)
    Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks with business leaders during the first meeting of his Business Council inside 10 Downing Street, central London, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. (AP)

In a fresh blow to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the country's ruling Conservative or Tories Party lost two more parliamentary seats to the Labour Party in by-elections as Sunak struggles to garner support amid a recession. 

The main Labour opposition won its second-largest by-election after a Tory MP quit and another faced backlash over bullying his staff.

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer called the results "fantastic" and said, "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."

"People want change and are ready to put their faith in a changed Labour Party to deliver it," he added. However, Tory deputy chair James Daly called the results "disappointing" and insisted there was "no love" for Starmer.

Read more: Labour withdraws support for Rochdale candidate over Gaza war remarks

The by-elections serve as a possible threat to Sunak's attempt at a fifth consecutive term in power for the Tories, whose popularity diminished as the UK suffers the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.

A whopping record of 21 by-elections have been conducted since the last general election in 2019, and the Tories have lost more by-elections in a single parliament than any government since the 1966-70 Labour administration of Harold Wilson, which had 15.

Thursday witnessed former Wellingborough Tory MP Peter Bone's suspension after a probe showed he subjected a staff member to bullying and sexual misconduct, and his partner Helen Harrison was controversially selected as a replacement candidate in the seat.

Then, MP Chris Skidmore's resignation as a protest against Sunak's plans to boost North Sea oil and gas drilling influenced the votes as well. Thus, Labour won the seat with almost 45% of the vote.

Statistics published in December showed that Sunak's favourability dipped to a whopping minus 26.5, dropping in over a one percent estimate value in just a month, essentially indicating that 26.5% more conservative party members do not approve of him, according to results from the ConservativeHome website.

Cabinet members also showed hefty discontent with Sunak, the poll revealed. 

Sunak, since taking on his role as PM, has faced tremendous challenges. In September, he was the first prime minister in about a decade to steer clear from attending the annual UN General Assembly (GA) to avoid the risk of embarrassment after the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, urged world leaders to attend the climate ambition summit he called for on the sidelines of the GA.

  • Labour Party
  • Conservative Party
  • Rishi Sunak
  • United Kingdom
  • elections

Most Read

13 elite Israeli troops were wounded in a confrontations in Beit Jinn, Syria.

13 elite Israeli troops wounded in confrontations in southern Syria

  • West Asia
  • 28 Nov 2025
Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025
A boy tries to stand near missiles displayed in the National Aerospace Park of the Revolutionary Guard, just outside Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 (AP)

Key Israeli sites destroyed, nuclear docs moved to Tehran: Minister

  • Politics
  • 22 Nov 2025
Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham Tabatabai

  • Politics
  • 23 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
National Guard are seen after reports of two National Guard soldiers shot near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, November 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Politics

NG shooting suspect belonged to CIA 'Zero Units' in Afghanistan

This satellite image taken by Airbus DS shows objects on the ground at the Saudi Maternity Hospital in el-Fasher, Sudan (AP)
Politics

Inside the RSF’s brutal campaign against El Fasher’s healthcare

Lebanon urges UN action as 'Israel' builds new walls inside its border
Politics

Lebanon files UN complaint over Israeli concrete walls inside border

UN slams 'Israel' over Gaza torture reports, urges full investigation
Politics

UN slams 'Israel' over Gaza torture reports, urges full investigation

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS