Makerfield by election

[Dorset Boy]

Meanwhile in Aberdeen, the Conservatives win from the SNP, the first time they have won a by-election from another party in Scotland since 1967!

 

[C R]

I'd assume most of the evaporated Tory vote went to Reform and the rest were anyone but Reform votes so tactical on both sides maybe

A naïve reading of the results bears that comment. LD an Green combined down 10%, labour up 10%. Conservatives down 9%, reform and restore up 10%.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Hopefully this is the high water mark for reform. They surely can’t win a FPTP general election.
Tactical voting shows people will vote for anyone but reform. As the cons, libs and greens are no where.

You would hope someone in the Labour hierarchy now realises the only way to beat Reform is to coalesce around a progressive anti-Reform vote, not chase Reform voters!

 

[briantrumpet]

You would hope someone in the Labour hierarchy now realises the only way to beat Reform is to coalesce around a progressive anti-Reform vote, not chase Reform voters!

But that's not in the immutable contract between Starmer and McSweeney.

 

[Bromptonaut]

Tories winning in Aberdeen feels surprising

Aberdeen is the epicentre of the UK's offshore oil/gas industry and is feeling the pinch as that industry contracts.

The Tories threw the kitchen sink at it on that basis.

Not sure it'll help them advance elsewhere.