Labour claims historic Tamworth by-election victory

Labour claimed an historic victory in the Tamworth by-election – taking the Staffordshire seat which has been held by the Conservatives since 2010.

Sarah Edwards, the Labour candidate, won 11,719 votes compared to Tory Andy Cooper’s 10,403 – giving her a majority of 1,316.

Labour’s win is the largest Conservative percentage majority overturned by the party at a by-election since 1945.

Tamworth has been held by the Tories since 2010, with the last election seeing the party secure a majority of almost 20,000.

But it was left vacant by former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher, who quit parliament after losing his appeal against suspension from the Commons following groping allegations.

The swing from Conservatives to Labour is 23.9 per cent – the second biggest since 1945.

Ms Edwards said: “Tonight the people of Tamworth have voted for Labour’s positive vision and fresh start.”

Victory in Tamworth made it a by-election double for Labour who also overturned a huge majority in Mid Bedfordshire – the seat previously held by ex-cabinet minister Nadine Dories.

Alistair Strathern took the seat with a majority of 1,192 over his Tory rival Festus Akinbusoye.