Britain's PM Rishi Sunak on Friday, suffered a damaging political blow as voters rejected his party in two parliamentary elections. By losing the by-elections the Conservative Party would have normally won, a beleaguered Sunak has been put in a tough spot.
In a double punch of sorts, the Conservative Party lost the seat at Selby and Ainsty to Labour's Keir Mather and the seat at Somerton and Frome to Liberal Democrat Sarah Dyke.
Sunak was spared a whitewash as the Conservatives held on to the seat previously held by former MP Boris Johnson in Uxbridge and South Ruislip. The losses certainly have put pressure on Sunak and his government.
It has been a rocky run for Sunak, who took office nine months ago from Liz Truss, whose chaotic run in office came to an end after six weeks. The Sunak-led government has been dealing with a series of scandals including Suella Braverman violating the ministerial code for handling a speeding ticket, a stuttering economy and a decline in Britain’s public services. All this has made the Conservative government quite unpopular. Former MP Boris Johnson's lying to the parliament also seems to have triggered the voters.
The losses of these key seats could further indicate that the party might not emerge victorious in the general elections, which, by law, must be held by January 2025. The Selby and Ainsty seat, in rural North Yorkshire has been in Tory hands since it was created in 2010.
Whether or not upcoming elections in two more Tory-held areas — Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth would create a narrative for Sunak's fall remains to be seen.
