The Liberal Democrats had a sensational victory over Prime Minister Boris Johnson ’s party in the North Shropshire by-election yesterday, December 16.
Lib Dem candidate Helen Morgan overturned a massive 22,949 Conservative majority in the ballot triggered by the resignation of shamed Tory Owen Paterson.
Ms Morgan, who won 17,957 votes to secure a Lib Dem majority of 5,925, declared that the "party is over" for Johnson, as the results followed a week of criticism for the PM over Downing Street parties and new Covid measures.
In her victory speech, Ms Morgan said: "Tonight, the people of North Shropshire have spoken on behalf of the British people," adding that fed-up Tory voters had united with the PM's opponents to send a message to Mr Johnson.
She went on to address the PM directly, saying: "Mr Johnson, you are no leader."
Who is the leader of the Liberal Democrats?
Sir Ed Davey, 55, became the leader of the Lib Dems, after getting 42,000 votes and being elected in August 2020
He was elected into the House of Commons, at his first attempt, in the 1997 general election.
Though he was defeated in his Kingston and Surbiton seat after 18 years as an MP in 2015, he won it back from the Conservatives in 2017.
Davey was knighted in the 2016 New Years Honours for his dedication and commitment to "political and public service".
He was not at the count after testing positive for Covid, but he spoke to Morgan by phone directly after her speech. In a statement following the victory, he called it a "watershed moment in our politics".
He said: "Millions of people are fed up with Boris Johnson and his failure to provide leadership throughout the pandemic and last night the voters of North Shropshire spoke for all of them. This is the second stunning byelection victory this year for the Liberal Democrats - both in formerly safe Conservative seats."
Who could replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister?
With Boris Johnson's time as Prime Minister under more threat than ever before, bookies have shortened the odds on who could replace him, with Chancellor Rishi Sunak being the current favourite to become the next prime minister.
According to full rundown from Ladbrokes, Sunak's odds are listed at 8/4, with opposition leader Keir Starmer coming next on the list at 4/1. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss follows with 5/1. The full odds are:
Michael Gove - 7/1
Jeremy Hunt - 12/1
Sajid Javid (Health Secretary) - 16/1
Priti Patel (Home Secretary) – 18/1
Many on the Tory benches have been pleased with Chancellor Sunak's recent budget, which they believe will help with one of the key pledges known as 'levelling up'.
This has increased his odds of taking over at No 10, especially since it's quite common for chancellors to go on and become Prime Minister.
The next general elections are still scheduled for May 2024 under the Fixed Term Parliament Act, however, Tory Chairman Oliver Dowden hinted that the party is "ready to go for an election whenever it comes," not ruling out chances for an early election in 2023.
