Status: December 17, 2021 10:00 a.m.
A regional by-election in Great Britain was considered a test of sentiment. Prime Minister Johnson has now lost that: the former headquarters of his Conservative Party is going to the Liberals.
In the by-election in North Shropshire, West England, the Conservative Party lost an otherwise traditional parliamentary seat. The mandate in the constituency on the border with Wales now goes to the Liberal Democrats, according to media reports by a huge margin.
With this, the Conservatives lost a seat in the House of Commons that they held when the constituency was created in 1983. It is also the first time in almost 200 years that the Conservative Party has lost a seat in parliament in a by-election.
The by-election in the west of England’s Tory stronghold had become necessary because MP Owen Paterson had to resign because of his involvement in a lobbying scandal. He previously held the mandate for the constituency.
“A clear signal to Johnson”
The by-election was considered an important test of sentiment within the Conservative Party. The result should further increase the pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The people in the constituency had sent a clear signal to him, said election winner Helen Morgan. “Your government, based on lies and yelling, will be held accountable,” Morgan continued.
The situation for Johnson had already worsened on Tuesday. In the House of Commons, he was faced with a revolt within his own ranks when nearly 100 Tory MPs voted against the new rules he was calling for to contain the coronavirus. He won the vote only thanks to votes from the opposition.
In addition, Johnson is criticized for alleged violations of the corona rules that he himself has imposed. There are reports of several Christmas parties on Downing Street last December.