Labour’s by-election nightmare

Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour party has not had the easiest time in government so far – and last night’s local by-election result will have done nothing to raise spirits. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party snatched a council seat from the Labour lot, taking over a third of the vote in Wolverhampton’s Bilston North ward. Starmer’s army meanwhile suffered a staggering loss of support, taking only a quarter of the vote, down by over 46.1 points, and less than two percentage points ahead of the eco-activist Greens. Good heavens…

The Starmtroopers haven’t fared so well in the rest of the council by-elections that have taken place this week. In Rochdale, support for Labour plummeted by almost 12 points, with Sir Keir’s candidate unable to oust the Independent contender. In Salford, the Reds held the seat but Starmer’s lot saw another drop in support of over 11 points. The lefty lot had a rather bad night in Charnwood’s Sileby and Seagrave ward too, taking less than 5 per cent of the vote – while the new Reform candidate swept up the support of more than a fifth of constituents.