Tory insiders played down expectations as polls closed, insisting it was “too close to call”.
A Conservative source said it was “always was going to be tough – we didn’t win in 2019 and we lost by over 100,000 votes in the West Yorkshire mayoral race”.
“On top of that, governing parties don’t normally win by-elections,” the source added – although Hartlepool showed Mr Johnson’s party was capable of making further cracks in Labour’s northern Red Wall.
Mr Stephenson said: “Whatever the result, you proved that more and more local people are ready for change.”
Mr Galloway said: “One thing is certain: it’s curtains for Keir.”
Labour HQ will have spent the last few hours toasting their success in Batley and Spen, after a nail-biting finish saw
Kim Leadbeater crowned the newest MP. But with a majority of just 323, the reality is a little more mixed.Â
Sir Keir Starmer has undeniably bought himself more time at the helm, but unions, donors and a certain faction of MPs want to see proof that he is turning the ship around. I m told he has a year to do it - but the pressure begins now.Â
Meanwhile Tories will be asking themselves what went wrong, after their expectations of a (relatively) easy win came to nothing. Some have already given their verdict:
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