Leaders Online Desk: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (UK PM Rishi Sunak) has received a big shock before the British general election. Britain's ruling Conservative Party suffered a major defeat in local government elections on Friday. Due to this, it is possible that the Labor Party will return to power after 14 years in the British general elections to be held in the coming months. It is also said to be the worst performance of the ruling Conservative Party in 40 years.
The Labor Party has gained control of many local authorities in England. Which they had not been able to do for decades. He has also won a by-election for a seat in Parliament. Political experts have indicated that if these results are repeated in the upcoming general election, it will be the biggest defeat for the ruling Conservatives.
Britain's opposition Labor Party won a parliamentary seat in northern England on Friday. Also, this party won in the elections of many local self-government bodies (councils). This is considered a big blow for the Conservative Party.
Meanwhile, the Conservative Party got a reprieve amid this setback. That is, Ben Houchen of the Conservative Party won the mayoralty for the northern region of the Tees Valley. Voting took place last Thursday for more than 2,000 local authority seats across England and some high-profile mayoral elections, including in the capital London.
Meanwhile, Labor candidate Chris Webb won the Blackpool South by-election. The seat was previously held by Scott Benton of the Conservative Party. But he resigned after the lobbying scandal. Labor candidate Chris Webb won the seat with 10,825 votes while the Conservative candidate won 3,218 votes. After the 2019 results, the Labor Party's vote share has increased by 26 per cent. This is the third largest increase in the history of by-elections in Britain, said election expert John Curtis.
“This has happened before the general elections. The mood of the British public is that now is the time for change,” commented Pat McFadden, Labour's national campaign co-ordinator.