Keir Starmer says it's 'time for a Labor government' after by-election triumph

The Labor leader enjoyed a 10.5% return to his party in Stretford and Urmston in Greater Manchester - despite an expert warning that was not enough to win a majority in Parliament

"People are sick of 12 years of Conservative failure," said the Labor leader (

Image: JESSICA TAYLOR/UK PARLIAMENT/UNPIXS)

Keir Starmer today celebrated another by-election victory by saying: 'People are tired of 12 years of Conservative failure, it's time for a Labor government.

The party leader was basking in the success of Stretford and Urmston's polling triumph in Greater Manchester.

He tweeted: "Congratulations to Andrew Western Labor's new MP for Stretford and Urmston. Andrew I look forward to working with you.

"The message from Stretford and Urmston is clear."

The freezing cold on Election Day and the expectation of an easy Labor grip contributed to a turnout of just 25.8%.

Andrew Western secured a majority of 9,906 and a 10.5% swing from the Tories (

Picture:

PENNSYLVANIA)

Winning candidate Mr Western, who secured a 9,906 majority and 10.5% gap with the Tories, said the result sent a "strong message" to Rishi Sunak's government.

p>

He added: "The people of Stretford and Urmston speak not just for this constituency, but for millions of other people across the country who know this government has let us down for the past 12 years. years."

Polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice has said the Tories will 'definitely lose' the next election if the 10.5% move is repeated.

He said Labor would still be 'a bit short' of an overall majority in the Commons on the basis of swing alone - but added that the seat was already a safe red seat, so a huge swing was always unlikely.

He told the BBC: "If you take Stretford and Chester together, they down...