LABOUR has dealt a double blow to Rishi Sunak by winning TWO crunch by-elections.
Sarah Edwards defeated Conservative Andrew Cooper by 1,316 votes in Tamworth – overturning a huge 19,600 majority.
Meanwhile in Mid Bedfordshire, Labour’s Alistair Strathern beat Local Police and Crime Commissioner Festus Akinbusoye to overturn former minister Nadine Dorries‘ 24,000 majority.
Tories were bracing for crushing blows earlier, with Mr Cooper defending a near-20,000 majority won by Chris Pincher who was kicked out of the Commons following a groping scandal.
Tamworth’s new MP Ms Edwards said: “Tonight the people of Tamworth have voted for Labour’s positive vision and a fresh start.
“They’ve sent a clear message to Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives that they have had enough of this failed Government, which has crashed the economy and destroyed our public services.
“The people of Tamworth have made it clear. It’s time for change.”
She also called on the PM to call a general election, saying: “My message to the Prime Minister is get in your government car, drive to Buckingham Palace, do the decent thing and call a general election.”
Responding to the Tamworth defeat, a Conservative spokesman said: “This is a difficult result on much-reduced turnout.
“But it’s important to see it in context. The government of the day rarely wins by-elections and there were specific reasons around the nature of the departure of the previous MP.
“It’s disappointing that Andy Cooper has not won, he has lived there his whole life and knows the issues local people are facing.
“He will continue to fight for the people of Tamworth in his role as a local councillor.”
After a final weekend of campaigning, even the PM’s most loyal backers branded both seats “tough” and “dire”.
Sir Keir Starmer said this morning: “Polls are now open in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire.
“Today, vote for change. Vote to get Britain’s future back. Vote Labour.”
Last night Mr Sunak refused to condemn his Tamworth candidate, Mr Cooper, for suggesting out-of-work parents who cannot afford to feed kids should “f*** off”.
The wannabe MP has been slammed for posting a “foul-mouthed” diagram on Facebook.
It suggested those who are out of work, pay for “TV Sky/BT/etc”, or “have a phone contract + £30” should “f*** off” rather than seek help.
Labour’s candidate in Mid Beds was similarly slammed after The Sun unmasked him as a Greenpeace zealot.
Strathern, 33, posed as a zombie for an eco stunt.
His partner Megan Corton-Scott works as a political officer for Greenpeace.
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The couple dressed as zombies outside the Home Office for one of the group’s stunts last November.
Mr Strathern was also pictured outside Parliament protesting against laws clamping down on Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion disruption.
