Labour Wins Blackpool South By-Election With Huge Swing

Labour has overturned the Conservatives' majority in the Blackpool South by-election, marking the governing party's third consecutive by-election defeat so far this year.

Labour's candidate Chris Webb gained 10,825 votes in the by-election, with Conservative David Jones recieving 3,218 votes, scraping into second place ahead of Reform's candidate, Mark Butcher, who secured 3,101 votesin a strong result for the party, with the Liberal Democrat candidate Andrew Cregan receiving 387. 

The result – a 26 per cent swing from the Tories to Labour in a seat where the opposition only needed a swing of 5.5 per cent – was the third largest in a by-election since the war. 

 "Blackpool has had enough of this failed government," said Webb after being declared the winner of the by-election. 

"I believe many people in Blackpool have been left in little faith in politicians," Webb said, referring to the fact his predecessor, Tory MP Scott Benton, resigned after a lobbying scandal.

He called on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to do "the decent thing", and "admit you have failed and call a general election".

The Blackpool South by-election is the third by-election defeat the Conservatives have suffered so far this year, after losing the Wellingborough and Kingswood by-elections in February. 

Keir Starmer MP, Leader of the Labour Party, said the "seismic" win in Blackpool South was "truly historic". 

“I am so proud of the positive campaign we ran. To those who have put their trust in us in Blackpool, and those considering giving Labour their vote, we are ready to serve your interests," he said. 

Thursday's by-election was called after suspended Conservative MP Scott Benton resigned when the House of Commons voted for him to be suspended from the House