At the Conservative Party Conference less than three weeks ago, Rishi Sunak tried to launch a new-look Tory Party that could stem the seemingly unstoppable momentum of a changed Labour Party. Last night’s by-elections show his efforts have failed.

In the Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire by-elections, there were swings of over 20 per cent from Tory to Labour – both top-ten post-war swings. 

In Tamworth, 14 miles north of Birmingham, the Labour candidate Sarah Edwards said after the news of her 1,300 majority that the 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.