Labor wins Stretford and Urmston by-elections in ANOTHER defeat for Rishi Sunak

New MP Andrew Western, the Labor leader of Trafford Council, was the winner of a blow to Rishi Sunak, who is suffering from pressure on strikes, rising living costs and inflation

Labor candidate Andrew Western pictured arriving at the count (

Image: PA)

Labour won an easy victory in the Stretford and Urmston by-elections, giving Keir Starmer a boost.

Andrew Western, Labor leader of Trafford Council, was the winner with a majority of 9,906 - and a gap to the Tories of 10.5%.

This is another blow for Rishi Sunak, who suffered a humiliating defeat in a by-election in the city of Chester when the Labor Party increased its majority by more than 4,000 votes just two years ago weeks.

New MP Mr Western said the result sent a ‘strong message’ to Mr Sunak’s government.

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

"The Tories have given up on governing and it is increasingly clear that the British people are abandoning them."

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 are basically consistent with the opinion poll evidence.

"[It is] that Labor is now in a stronger position than it has ever been since David Cameron first walked through 10 Downing Street as Prime Minister in 2010.

"Therefore, the challenge facing conservatives is certainly very significant."

New MP Andrew Western is Labor leader...