Two parliamentary by-elections in the United Kingdom in October will test how Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives are faring in strategic areas and whether opposition Labor is regaining support in Scotland.
With Labor ahead in the polls, the vote will determine replacements for two MPs who gave up their seats in what is seen as a key electoral test for both main parties ahead of next year’s national election.
On October 19, Sunak’s Conservatives will try to retain control of the Mid-Bedfordshire seat in southeast England, left open by the exit of Nadine Dorries, who criticized Sunak when she formally resigned as leader last month.
Doris, an ally of former prime minister Boris Johnson, announced her resignation in June but delayed her resignation. Votes have already been held to replace Johnson and two Conservative MPs, who have also given up their parliamentary mandate.
In that July vote, Sunak’s Conservatives lost two strategically important parliamentary seats, but unexpectedly retained Johnson’s old constituency, causing a setback for Labour.
Another by-election is due in October to replace a Scottish National Party (SNP) MP who was expelled from the party by voters for flouting Covid lockdown rules.
Margaret Ferrier represented Rutherglen and Hamilton West outside Glasgow and will replace her on October 5. The final decision on the date is pending the approval of the local council.
The by-election will show whether Labor can win back in Scotland, where it needs to regain its previous dominance if it is to return to power.
The dates for two votes to replace outgoing MPs were announced on Monday, the first day after Parliament’s summer break.
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