PRIME minister Boris Johnson has been dealt a significant blow after the LibDems won the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election, leaving the Tories with a working majority of just one.
Jo Swinson's party won the mid-Wales constituency with a margin of 1425 – a 12% vote swing from the Tories.
The by-election was Johnson's first major challenge as Tory leader and has now become his first major defeat.
The loss will add to the PM's list of challenges as he attempts to steer Brexit through Parliament and could increase the chances of a snap General Election before the UK leaves the EU.
Jane Dodds, who won the Brecon and Radnorshire seat, said: "People are desperately crying out for a different kind of politics. There is no time for tribalism when our country is faced with a Boris Johnson Government and the threat of a no-deal Brexit.
"So my very first act as your MP when I arrive in Westminster will be to find Mr Boris Johnson wherever he is hiding and tell him loud and clear: 'Stop playing with the future of our communities and rule out a no-deal Brexit now'."
The Lib Dems secured 43% of the vote, the Tories 39% and the Brexit Party 10%.
Fourth-placed Labour narrowly avoided losing its deposit by securing just over 5% of the share.
READ MORE: Labour less popular than the Brexit Party in Scotland
Some Conservative commentators blamed the Brexit Party for splitting the "pro-Brexit vote" - as together their vote share amounted to 49%.
Others pointed out that the new PM had set a new record.
In losing the #BreconByElection Boris Johnson has become a record breaker.
— Lewis Goodall (@lewis_goodall) August 2, 2019
At only 11 days he has lost a seat in a by-election faster than any prime minister since Asquith in 1908 (16 days).
Johnson has lost a seat in only 11 days, faster than any PM since Asquith in 1908.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel