Tories are a ‘long way behind’ after by election losses, says John Curtice

Labour's victory in Thursday's (20 July) by-elections shows that the Conservatives are a "long way behind," Professor Sir John Curtice has said.

The renowned political scientist concluded that the results are consistent with opinion polls which show support for the Tories has declined by 18 points.

The Conservatives lost two safe seats in yesterday’s election, with both Labour and the Liberal Democrats overturning majorities of about 20,000.

Sir John has said that the swing of 24 per cent to Labour from the Conservatives in Selby and Ainsty’s by-election was “the second biggest swing ever in a parliamentary by-election” from the Tories to the opposition party.