Mid Bedfordshire, and Tamworth by elections

[Nearly Sane]

This week's by elections should be easy wins for the Tories but their general screw ups and the particular screw ups of their ex MPs make it interesting. There have been moves in the betting in the last week that indicate that people think they are more likely to hold them. I suspect that events in Israel and Palestine may be influencing the bets.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/oct/15/mid-bedfordshire-tamworth-tories-face-tough-byelection-battles

[Nearly Sane]

Some desperate downplaying by the Tories, trying to make it that if anyone votes for them in hugely safe seats it's a triumph.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67149371

[Nearly Sane]

Labour take Tamworth. Tories losing votes to fringe parties on the right: Reform UK, Britain First, UKIP

[Nearly Sane]

And Labour win Mid Bedfordshire. Possibly even worse Tory result, and disappointing for the Lib Dems

[Nearly Sane]

Interesting analysis, as ever, from John Curtice. I'd be interested if given the graph on the voting share of the winning party in Tamworth if there has been a demographic change over the period.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67166028