By-elections latest: Polls closed and counting underway as Sunak faces test in Mid-Bedfordshire and Tamworth
Polls have closed in two fiercely contested by-elections with counting underway for the seats of Tamworth in Staffordshire and Mid Bedfordshire.
Results are considered too close to call but are set to be a challenge for prime minister Rishi Sunak’s under-fire government.
The Mid Bedfordshire by-election was triggered by the resignation of former culture secretary Nadine Dorries, with voters choosing between 13 candidates for the seat.
Chris Pincher, who had represented the Staffordshire seat since 2010, stood down on 7 September, with nine candidates in Tamworth.
Polls opened at 7am and closed at 10pm, with results expected early on Friday morning.
Some experts predict turnout will be low because of stormy weather, with warnings in place for rain and wind across large parts of the UK.
All three major parties have played down their prospects in the contests, with the Tories saying “governments don’t win by-elections”, Labour saying wins would be a “long shot” and the Liberal Democrats saying they were pleased “whatever the outcome”.
