North Shropshire by-election: Conservatives beaten by Lib Dems

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Boris Johnson’s future as Prime Minister is looking increasingly uncertain following last night’s by-election loss, in North Shropshire, to the Liberal Democrats. The PM endured an embarrassing setback earlier this week when 100 of his own MPs rebelled against him in a Commons vote and he now looks poised to enter the weekend with his position appearing to be more vulnerable than ever.

On Thursday evening, the Liberal Democrats won the North Shropshire by-election after securing a majority of 5,925 votes – which represented a 34 percent swing in their favour.

The by-election had been called after the area’s previous MP, Owen Paterson, had resigned for breaching parliamentary rules on lobbying.

Until last night, the Conservative Party had held North Shropshire’s seat in Parliament for nearly 200 years.

The Lib Dem candidate Helen Morgan, finished on 17,957 votes compared with her nearest challenger, the Tory nominee, Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, who finished on 12,032. A turnout of 46.2 percent was also recorded.

Ms Morgan said that her victory signified the “party was over” for Boris Johnson.

Speaking afterwards, she said: “Tonight, the people of North Shropshire have spoken on behalf of the British people.

“Your (Boris Johnson’s) Government, run on lies and bluster, will be held accountable. It will be scrutinised, it will be challenged and it can and will be defeated.”

In total, 14 candidates stood during Thursday’s by-election, with third place going to Labour’s Ben Wood.

What does this mean for Boris Johnson?

Last night’s result caps what has been a difficult week for Mr Johnson.

On Tuesday, 100 Tory MPs rebelled in a House of Commons vote and went against him on one of his Covid rules that he had announced the previous week.

In fact, not since the 2019 General Election had a larger Tory rebellion been staged.

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The measure in question related to the introduction of NHS Covid passes for people to enter nightclubs and other large events.

Many of the MPs who voted against introducing NHS Covid passes had previously expressed concerns that the restriction would undermine public trust.

Over the past fortnight, the PM has also faced a revolt from his peers after accusations surfaced that a number of Christmas parties – that were in breach of Covid rules – took place at Downing Street last December.

The allegations are now being investigated by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case.

Indeed, recent polling figures have shown Mr Johnson’s popularity with the UK public is starting to fall beneath the Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer.

An independent survey conducted by Ipsos MORI – between December 3 and 10 – showed that 13 percent more of its respondents now view Sir Keir as a more suitable PM than Mr Johnson.

The PM still has more than two years left in his first term as leader of the Government but events over recent weeks will cast doubt whether he can last the duration.

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