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
Palestinian media: Three Palestinians were killed after being targeted by Israeli drone fire in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Large crowds gather in Khan Younis to welcome the liberated Palestinian detainees, waving flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in celebration
Buses of released prisoners arrive in Ramallah
Israeli media: Netanyahu gifts Trump a "Golden Dove".

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

Related News

Labour Party members vote for recognizing genocide in Gaza

Britain poised to formally recognize Palestine on Sunday

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

Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • Today
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
US media rejects Pentagon rules limiting access to official info
Politics

US media reject Pentagon rules limiting access to official info

Australia open to sending troops to Middle East post-ceasefire
Politics

Australia open to sending troops to Middle East post-ceasefire

Arab journalists in US say they're being silenced after Gaza coverage
Politics

MENA journalists in US report heightened scrutiny since Gaza war began

Maduro offers Gaza aid and calls for real justice after Sharm El-Sheik.
Latin America

Maduro offers Gaza aid, calls for real justice after Sharm El-Sheikh

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