Politics RECAP: Former leader of Conservative Party Michael Howard calls for Boris Johnson to resign
Pressure is mounting on Boris Johnson after the Conservatives lost by elections in Tiverton & Honiton and Wakefield, making it the first time in more than 30 years that a government has lost two by-elections on the same day.
Oliver Dowden has resigned as chairman of the Conservative Party after it suffered two by-election defeats, saying in a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson that “someone must take responsibility”.
In Tiverton and Honiton the Liberal Democrats overturned a 24,000 Tory majority to win, while in Wakefield, Simon Lightwood was elected with a majority of 4,925 on a swing of 12.7% from the Tories to Labour.
Wakefield was one of the so-called red wall seats won by the Tories in the 2019 general election after being Labour since the 1930s.
Boris Johnson has said he will “listen” to voters but will “keep going” after the Tories suffered a double by-election defeat.