Residents in Tamworth have spoken with GB News to make their voices heard after two historic by-election victories by the Labour Party.
In her victory speech, Edwards said voters had “sent a clear message to Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives that they have had enough of this failed government, which has crashed the economy and destroyed our public services… The people of Tamworth have made it clear. It’s time for change.”
Meanwhile in Mid Bedfordshire, Labour’s Alistair Strathern overturned a 25,000 majority, taking the seat for the first time since 1931.
Labour's Sarah Edwards announced as newest MP for Tamsworth in by-election victory
GB News
The seat previously belonged to Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, though local tensions rose as Dorries refused to officially vacate the seat for 81 days.
One local from Tamworth told GB News: “I’m not surprised at all, to be honest with you, the state of the Tory party.”
“To be honest, I always voted Tory, but yesterday I voted Reform because I think we need to change. I don't think there's much difference between Labour and Conservative at all, to be honest with you.”
“I just think we need a change. I think the Tories have been in for 13 years and I think the country's a mess, to be honest with you. So now they're not going to get my vote back at the minute.”
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Tamworth resident explains why he voted Reform over Conservative
GB News
The by-election in Tamworth was called after former Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher quit the House of Commons in September, following allegations he groped two men last summer.
Another resident said of the Conservatives' effort in the region: “You know, I've lived in this town for quite a long time and, you know, it's been under Conservative rule for many, many, many years. And this town is destroyed.”
“You know, it's empty. It's gone. And all I can feel today is ecstatic. I’m filled with ecstasy, you know, because I'm ecstatic to get rid of the Conservatives once and for all, you know.”
“But I'm also filled with a little bit of trepidation about what's next. I hope that the Labour government can do something different, I really do. And I'm looking forward to the landslide that this country is about to face.”
Labour Party Chair Anneliese Dodds with Labour's Mid Bedfordshire by-election candidate Alistair StrathernPAThe results of the by-elections, and other recent Conservative losses in Selby to the Labour Party, and Somerton and Frome to the Liberal Democrats, have bolstered predictions the Conservative party could face trouble in the impending general election.
A final local to the area told GB News reporter Jack Carson: “I was quite glad because I don't know whether they can make any difference, but a change is as good as the rest.”
“It's always at the back of your mind whether Labour got in because people had had enough of the Conservatives, or are Labour that good and they're going to do what they say they're going to do?”
“I went Labour. Being a house owner or whatever, I was always brought up to be Conservative, but I've had enough because I can't believe a word they're saying now!”