Yahoo News Map shows every constituency the Tories have lost since 2019
After losing two more by-elections to Labour, the Conservatives have now suffered the most by-election defeats of any government since the 1960s.
The Conservatives have lost two more by-elections to Labour.
In a dire night for Rishi Sunak, Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour overturned majorities of 18,540 in Wellingborough and 11,220 in Kingswood to inflict the government’s ninth and 10th by-election defeats of the current Parliament.
Gen Kitchen secured Wellingborough with 45.8% of the vote, while Damien Egan won Kingswood with 44.9% of the vote.
Sunak, who is set to call a general election later this year, attempted to play down the defeats on Friday, saying “midterm elections are always difficult for incumbent governments” and citing low turnout, of just under 40%, in both constituencies.
Starmer, on the other hand, claimed it showed people are “crying out for change”.
The defeats mean the Tories have suffered the most by-election defeats of any government since the 1960s. The following map demonstrates the scale of losses since the party won the 2019 general election.
Recommended reading
These by-election results could be consequential and dramatic - here's why (Sky News)
Polling guru John Curtice warns Rishi Sunak is in ‘deep electoral trouble’ after by-election disaster (The Independent)
Wellingborough and Kingswood ‘particularly challenging’, PM insists after defeat (PA Media)
Here, Yahoo News UK breaks down the previous by-elections the Tories have lost (and won) since 2019.
Hartlepool, May 2021: Conservative gain from Labour
It feels a long time ago now, but this by-election came when Boris Johnson's Tories were flying high in the polls: 43% to Labour's 33% (today, YouGov has Labour polling at 44% and the Tories on 22%).
The party's relative popularity, pre-Partygate scandal and the disastrous "mini budget", came as the country was coming out of lockdown following the successful COVID vaccine rollout. It led to a by-election rarity: a government winning an opposition seat.
It had been Labour-held since it was formed in 1974, with the defeat described as “absolutely shattering” for Starmer. The by-election was called after Labour’s Mike Hill stepped down over sexual harassment claims.
Chesham and Amersham, June 2021: Conservative loss to Liberal Democrats
The Tories' first defeat of the current Parliament happened in Buckinghamshire in a by-election triggered by the death of sitting MP Dame Cheryl Gillan.
In a campaign characterised by constituency-specific issues such as HS2 and planning reforms, the Lib Dems overturned her 16,223 majority to win the seat with a huge 25% swing.
Old Bexley and Sidcup, December 2021: Conservative hold
The Conservatives held this London seat in a by-election triggered by the death of MP James Brokenshire.
North Shropshire, December 2021: Conservative loss to Liberal Democrats
In a by-election prompted by the resignation of Tory MP Owen Paterson after he breached House of Commons rules by engaging in paid lobbying, the Liberal Democrats achieved another stunning result: overturning a majority of 22,949 with an even bigger swing of 34%.
It remains the second largest by-election swing against any government since the Second World War.
Southend West, February 2022: Conservative hold
The Tories held this Essex seat in a contest triggered by the murder of MP David Amess.
Wakefield, June 2022: Conservative loss to Labour
Labour took the west Yorkshire seat, overturning a majority of 3,358, in the party’s first by-election gain from the Conservatives in 10 years.
The contest had been triggered by the resignation of sitting MP Imran Ahmad Khan following a criminal conviction for child sexual assault.
Tiverton and Honiton, June 2022: Conservative loss to Liberal Democrats
On the same day as the Wakefield by-election, the Tories were defending a huge majority of 24,239... which the Liberal Democrats overturned with another enormous swing of 30%.
The by-election was prompted by the resignation of sitting MP Neil Parish after he admitted watching pornography on his phone in the House of Commons.
Uxbridge and South Ruislip, July 2023: Conservative hold
In a contest triggered by the resignation of sitting MP and former prime minister Boris Johnson, the Tory hold was considered a missed opportunity for Labour with the Tories flailing in the polls under Sunak.
Both parties suggested the expansion of London’s ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ), which levies a charge on vehicles that do not meet certain emissions standards and is a key policy of Labour mayor Sadiq Khan, may have contributed to the result.
Selby and Ainsty, July 2023: Conservative loss to Labour
This by-election in north Yorkshire was triggered by Tory MP Nigel Adams resigning to pursue a private sector career. Adams had a big majority of 20,137, but Labour, whose popularity had surged since the disastrous administration of Liz Truss, won the seat on a huge 24% swing.
At 25 years old, winning candidate Keir Mather became the youngest MP in the House of Commons.
Somerton and Frome, July 2023: Conservative loss to Liberal Democrats
Another big gain for the Liberal Democrats on a 29% swing, overturning a majority of 19,213.
The contest was triggered by the resignation of sitting MP David Warburton, after an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and cocaine use.
Mid Bedfordshire, October 2023: Conservative loss to Labour
This defeat remains the largest numerical Conservative majority (24,664) to be overturned by Labour at a by-election since 1945.
The by-election had been triggered by the resignation of sitting MP Nadine Dorries.
Tamworth, October 2023: Conservative loss to Labour
Another Labour victory, this one in Staffordshire, saw a 24% swing: large enough to currently rank as the third biggest swing from Conservative to Labour at a by-election since 1945.
This was yet another contest prompted by the resignation of the sitting MP, in this case Chris Pincher, who had won a majority of 19,634 in 2019. He stood down after a Commons inquiry upheld allegations of sexual assault.
Wellingborough, February 2024, Conservative loss to Labour
Labour took the Northamptonshire seat on an enormous swing of 29%: the second biggest from Tory to Labour at a by-election since the Second World War.
The Conservatives’ share of the vote slumped from 62% at the 2019 general election to just 25%, also the largest drop recorded by the Tories at any by-election since 1945.
It was triggered by the six-week Commons suspension of former Tory MP Peter Bone after an inquiry found he had subjected a staff member to bullying and sexual misconduct.
Kingswood, February 2024, Conservative loss to Labour
Labour overturned a majority of 11,220 to win this Gloucestershire seat, achieving a swing of 16%: lower than some of the huge swings it enjoyed in previous by-elections, but comfortably above the 11% it needed.
The vote came after former Conservative MP Chris Skidmore resigned in protest at government legislation to boost North Sea oil and gas drilling.
