people who have not voted labour went out and voted labour so i am very pleased but there is obviously more work to do. this is bbc news. we start with the government suffering a double by—election defeat at the hands of labour. its the latest blow to the conservatives less than a year from a general election that opinion polls suggest they are likely to lose. labour candidates overturned comfortable majorities in kingswood and wellingborough. hailing the results, labour's leader, sir keir starmer, said the british people were ready to put their trust in his party to deliver change. genevieve victoria, also known as gen kitchen, labour party, 13,8“; votes. cheering. it's a result even better than they had hoped for. the biggest drop in the conservative

vote, and the second largest swing from tory to labour in any by—election since the second world war. they know that our roads are not fit to drive on, getting our child a doctor's appointment can seem impossible, and that they are paying more and getting less. today, they said enough is enough. wellingborough was also record—breaking for reform uk. the party picked up 13% of the vote, its biggest share yet. the tories are terrified of us because we've got the policies that make sense, that bluntly will save britain, and they realise that they've had their opportunity, they've blown it, they've messed up the economy, they've allowed mass emigration, they're obsessed with net—zero — the labour party's the same — so people are actually voting positively, saying, thank heavens there's someone who's arrived on the scene who's got some good policies that essentially will save britain, and that's why people are starting to vote for us. in kingswood, labour arrived with a spring in their step

on the journey towards power, winning by more than 2,500 votes in a seat that has a tendency to pick the winner in general elections over the years. westminster needs to understand that you can't get a dentist, there is no dentist accepting nhs patients anywhere in bristol. it's really hard to get to a doctor. people don't feel safe on the streets. the cost of living crisis is notjust a slogan, it's impacting people. you've got families who haven't been on holidays for years, people are worried about what food they put in the trolley, about heating up their homes in winter, and it's putting a lot of stress on family life as well. despite the win, labour didn't do quite as well as it has done in the past, some consolation for the one conservative willing to speak. it's not as bad as i'd expected. if you add together the conservative and the reform party vote, it's more than the labour party. labour did not get over 50%. bear in mind this was a seat labour held throughout its period

of government from 1997 to 2010. if it's not winning, and winning strongly in a by—election, then its prospects for the general election aren't that good. everyone here knows that success in a by—election doesn't necessarily translate to triumph when a general election comes. but the voters in wellingborough and kingswood have played a part in shaping the narrative as that unknown date looms ever closer. hannah miller, bbc news. in the last half hour, we have been hearing from the prime minister and this was his reaction.— this was his reaction. mid-term bur-election _ this was his reaction. mid-term by-election service _ this was his reaction. mid-term by-election service a _ this was his reaction. mid-term by-election service a figure - this was his reaction. mid-term by-election service a figure for| by—election service a figure for incumbent governments in these by—elections were always challenging. the low turnout, it shows we have work to do to show people we are delivering on their priorities and i am determined to do that but it shows there is not a huge amount of enthusiasm for the

alternative in the labour party and keir starmer and that is because they do not have a plan and if you do not have a plan you cannot deliver real change from the general election comes that is the message i will be making to the electorate. within the past hour, keir starmer has been speaking from salford. we are has been speaking from salford. - are very pleased with the results from last night. it's very clear people are crying out for change across the country. they think that the tories have failed, they can see things are broken, they look at the labour party and see a changed party and last night, people who had not voted labour before went out and voted labour before went out and voted that the labour party so i'm very pleased with both of those results there is more work to do, there is a long way to go and do every football fan knows, you do not win the league by a good result in february so i've got to clockwork

five points behind in the polls. what i take from these by—elections is repeatedly now voters are being clear with a government that they want change. we have seen notjust these by—elections but previous, the same basic message coming from the electorate. we are fed up, nothing is working, we want change, after 1a years the tories cannot provide that because they have failed. they look to the labour party and they see a change labour party that has got an answer to their issues, the cost of living crisis, broken public services, the nhs, they are prepared to put their vote behind the labour party so that vindicates the hard work we have done to change the labour party, now unrecognisable from the one that lost in 2019 but we've got to fight for every boat and make sure we understand there is more work to be done and a long way to go. more work to be done and a long way to no. �* , more work to be done and a long way to no. �*, ,,

more work to be done and a long way too. ., more work to be done and a long way toao. ., ., to go. let's speak to professor olitics to go. let's speak to professor politics tim — to go. let's speak to professor politics tim bell _ to go. let's speak to professor politics tim bell at _ to go. let's speak to professor politics tim bell at the - to go. let's speak to professor politics tim bell at the queen l to go. let's speak to professor - politics tim bell at the queen mary university hospital in london. this tell us about what they what the electorate is thinking? tell tell us about what they what the electorate is thinking?— tell us about what they what the electorate is thinking? tell us what the national _ electorate is thinking? tell us what the national opinion _ electorate is thinking? tell us what the national opinion polls - electorate is thinking? tell us what the national opinion polls are - the national opinion polls are telling us, this is a deeply unpopular conservative government probably because of the difficulties in the economy and the health service. and because of the fact the leader rishi sunak does not seem to have made a difference that many people hope to but when he replaced the even more unpopular liz truss in the even more unpopular liz truss in the summer of 22. to the even more unpopular liz truss in the summer of 22.— the even more unpopular liz truss in the summer of 22. to what extent can we blame the — the summer of 22. to what extent can we blame the tories _ the summer of 22. to what extent can we blame the tories problems - the summer of 22. to what extent can we blame the tories problems on - we blame the tories problems on rishi sunak and his predecessors? it is fair to say that the legacy of rishi sunak was not great, we had two of the most unpopular prime minister is that we had seen in this country for a long time, boris johnson and liz truss before him, liz truss is seen by the electorate

as having crashed the economy and made a difference to people who are now paying higher mortgages as a result. and what we have to remember is of course rishi sunak was the chancellor of the exchequer under borisjohnson so he cannot completely escape responsibility for the situation he faces. the electorate _ the situation he faces. the electorate is _ the situation he faces. the electorate is not _ the situation he faces. the electorate is not prepared to believe the narrative that the combination of the pandemic in the war in ukraine have created this economic problems and we are climbing out of it? i economic problems and we are climbing out of it?— climbing out of it? i think the electorate — climbing out of it? i think the electorate is _ climbing out of it? i think the electorate is prepared - climbing out of it? i think the electorate is prepared to - climbing out of it? i think the electorate is prepared to say| climbing out of it? i think the - electorate is prepared to say they are factors but in the end, whatever the government says, the electorate tends to blame the government forwarded whatever situation they are facing, the cost of living crisis, inflation in particular is a big one for many people. but as i say, it's notjust the economy, it's the state of public services and when you have been the government since effectively 2010, there is really no one else to blame for the

state of the national health service which is impacting people on a daily basis. in the sense of not being able to get a gp appointment, waiting a long time in a&e and large waiting a long time in a&e and large waiting lists as well. [30 waiting a long time in a&e and large waiting lists as well.— waiting lists as well. do you think the conservative _ waiting lists as well. do you think the conservative party _ waiting lists as well. do you think the conservative party has - waiting lists as well. do you think the conservative party has any i the conservative party has any chance of reversing some of these trends, the national health service and the economy performance in time for the election because presumably thatis for the election because presumably that is what they are hoping? i think in time is the crucial point. i think it will be very difficult to turn around the nhs situation, even if rishi sunak were to changes mind and settle with the doctors, i don't think that will make much of a difference. the economy will pick up, realwages difference. the economy will pick up, real wages are rising and that is a good sign for the government but the fact is economy growth seems to be hard to come by so even if we move out of recession which i think most people think we will do, i think it will be very difficult for

the government to revive that so—called feelgood factor and that would bring voters back to the conservative party by the end of 24. the premiership are borisjohnson was very much defined by his personality but to what extent people compared rishi sunak with sir keir starmer and vote accordingly to the personality they are presented with? i the personality they are presented with? ., the personality they are presented with? . ., , , ., ., with? i am not sure it is a matter so much a _ with? i am not sure it is a matter so much a personality— with? i am not sure it is a matter so much a personality rather- with? i am not sure it is a matter| so much a personality rather than simply the idea that this person is in charge of the party on the one hand and generally competent. i'm afraid that as where rishi sunak comes off badly compared to keir starmer. it seems keir starmer is not a particularly inspiring choice but he is seen reasonably as a safe pair of hands and that makes a difference to some people who want to vote tactically, especially liberal democrat voters may be prepared to vote for the labour party in a way they were certainly not whenjeremy

party in a way they were certainly not when jeremy corbyn was party in a way they were certainly not whenjeremy corbyn was in charge. not when jeremy corbyn was in charae. ., ., not when jeremy corbyn was in charae. ., , ., not when jeremy corbyn was in charae. ., ._ ., ., not when jeremy corbyn was in charae. ., ._ . ., , charge. you may have heard rishi sunak saying _ charge. you may have heard rishi sunak saying the _ charge. you may have heard rishi sunak saying the labour - charge. you may have heard rishi sunak saying the labour party - charge. you may have heard rishi. sunak saying the labour party does not have a plan, but it is not its job to have a plan quite yet, is it? it is thejob job to have a plan quite yet, is it? it is the job of the opposition to provide an alternative to people in a way they can understand quite simply. but it has to be said that no opposition worth its salt is going to make too detailed a plan before it has to produce a manifesto in the run—up to the election on the basis that ever comes up with anything particularly useful, the government will still lead anyway and it will also unwittingly sometimes provide ammunition for a government keen to ban the labour party as it always is, as profligate and spendthrift. can party as it always is, as profligate and spendthrift.— party as it always is, as profligate and spendthrift. can i ask you about reform uk and _ and spendthrift. can i ask you about reform uk and what _ and spendthrift. can i ask you about reform uk and what conclusions - and spendthrift. can i ask you about| reform uk and what conclusions can be drawn from its performance? it has to be said the reform uk party has to be said the reform uk party has proved it can do the ballot box what it has been doing in the opinion polls recently. it seems to

have moved into double figures and thatis have moved into double figures and that is a problem for the conservatives. i don't buy the idea that the reform uk party because the conservatives the kingswood by—election because it is not necessarily the case that every reform voter comes from the conservatives but the majority do and that spells a lot of trouble i think for rishi sunak if he remains the prime minister and the leader of the prime minister and the leader of the conservative party at the end of 24? ., , ,., the conservative party at the end of 24? ., ,,., ., ~ the conservative party at the end of 24? ., ., ~ ., ., 24? professor, thank you for “oining us. john 24? professor, thank you for “oining john rental fl 24? professor, thank you for “oining us. john rental is i 24? professor, thank you for “oining us. john rental is the t 24? professor, thank you for “oining us. john rental is the chief h us. john rental is the chief political commentator for the independent newspaper. you take on what these results tell us about the broader picture?— broader picture? good morning. i auree broader picture? good morning. i agree with _ broader picture? good morning. i agree with everything _ broader picture? good morning. i agree with everything that - broader picture? good morning. i i agree with everything that professor tim hasjust agree with everything that professor tim has just said. agree with everything that professor tim hasjust said. it's agree with everything that professor tim has just said. it's slight note of caution about the swing to labour. the swing in wellingborough which was the second—highest ever that the party has secured the

conservatives was extraordinary but i think there are special factors there because the tory candidate was there because the tory candidate was the girlfriend of the disgraced tory mp whose disgrace was the cause of the by—election! i think the kingswood swing was solid but not modest, 16% swing is pretty good for the labour party and points labour towards a clear majority at the next general election but it's not quite up general election but it's not quite up there with the record—breaking implication is that some labour party people want to think. what implication is that some labour party people want to think. what the rofessor party people want to think. what the professor said _ party people want to think. what the professor said was _ party people want to think. what the professor said was at _ party people want to think. what the professor said was at this _ party people want to think. what the professor said was at this stage - party people want to think. what the professor said was at this stage in i professor said was at this stage in the game in the run—up to the election, it is not the job of the labour party to put a detailed plan on the table so much hinges on that, doesn't it, in terms of the general election and its outcome? that doesn't it, in terms of the general election and its outcome?- election and its outcome? that is riuht. election and its outcome? that is right. by-elections _ election and its outcome? that is right. by-elections are _ election and its outcome? that is right. by-elections are not - election and its outcome? that is. right. by-elections are not general right. by—elections are not general elections and you cannot read across

but the labour party was getting bigger swings than they got in kingswood and before the 97 election and although people must remember it, looking back, there was a sense of enthusiasm about the labour party in 97 which i think is missing this time but that said i think keir starmer is heading towards a reasonable majority if not a landslide and i think the problem that the labour party has with its policies is that people may not expect a detailed prospectus but you get the sense from the way that keir starmer is handling things recently that he is going to hit trouble in government if he does win the election. �* .., , , government if he does win the election. �* , , ., government if he does win the election. , , ., ., , election. because there is no money in the pot? — election. because there is no money in the pot? why? — election. because there is no money in the pot? why? absolutely. - in the pot? why? absolutely. basically because _ in the pot? why? absolutely. basically because of- in the pot? why? absolutely. basically because of the - basically because of the inheritance, you've got to remember tony blair inherited a good economic situation from the tories and 97,

thatis situation from the tories and 97, that is very much not what is happening now and i think the way keir starmer has handled a u—turn on the 28 billion plan suggests, i think his decision—making will not stand up to scrutiny in government. he doesn't seem to be making the right decisions quickly enough and i think that spells trouble. imilieu right decisions quickly enough and i think that spells trouble.— think that spells trouble. when you sa that, think that spells trouble. when you say that. what _ think that spells trouble. when you say that, what you _ think that spells trouble. when you say that, what you are _ think that spells trouble. when you say that, what you are talking - think that spells trouble. when you | say that, what you are talking about is disgraced mps? what? you are talking about recent events when you say that? but talking about recent events when you sa that? �* ., ,., j~ talking about recent events when you sa that? �* ., j~ , ., say that? but also the 28 billion u-turn but _ say that? but also the 28 billion u-turn but also, _ say that? but also the 28 billion u-turn but also, yes, _ say that? but also the 28 billion u-turn but also, yes, i - say that? but also the 28 billion u-turn but also, yes, i think- say that? but also the 28 billion | u-turn but also, yes, i think keir u—turn but also, yes, i think keir starmer has shown that when he was dealing with the candidate in rochdale, we still have another by—election to come, he responded initially back defending, not exactly defending the candidate but he did not withdraw support or disarm him, after he had said the most extraordinary thing. i mean, a

conspiracy theory about israel, allowing the hamas attack in order to have an excuse to attack gaza. that should have been absolutely a no—no, for any labour candidate and keir starmer was very slow to realise that.— keir starmer was very slow to realise that. he's going to have showed depth _ realise that. he's going to have showed depth of _ realise that. he's going to have showed depth of talent - realise that. he's going to have showed depth of talent ahead l realise that. he's going to have | showed depth of talent ahead of realise that. he's going to have - showed depth of talent ahead of this election? , �* , showed depth of talent ahead of this election? , ~ , , election? yes. and the libertine is . uite election? yes. and the libertine is quite strong. _ election? yes. and the libertine is quite strong. i _ election? yes. and the libertine is quite strong, i don't _ election? yes. and the libertine is quite strong, i don't think- election? yes. and the libertine is quite strong, i don't think it's - election? yes. and the libertine is quite strong, i don't think it's a i quite strong, i don't think it's a strong as the one that new labour had a 97, perhaps that's because i have rose tinted spectacles about the tony blair era but he has got some good people, with street in, rachel reeves is very solid. and angela rayner, actually, ithink, is a very underestimated politician. ida a very underestimated politician. no doubt the labour party will be very much buoyed by these by—elections but what about reform uk party, what can we deduce from its performance?

it was as professor bale said, it was a good performance which substantiated its opinion poll rating, it did not exceed eight or over perform or out perform particularly. but it suggested that they will take a chunk of tory support out of the tory vote in the general election which will add to the woes of rishi sunak and his party but the crucial thing i think is that it is not enough to tempt nigel farage back to take a leading role in reform uk which means in that case, that could affect things badly from a tory point of view. what is the endgame for reform uk? laughter. i think the strategy is mad and i think nigel farage knows that in his heart of hearts and that is why it is not coming back because you must remember in 2019, he stood out most of his candidates because he

realised if he stood them up, he was only going to have the labour party and that still applies this time and there are people in reform uk who think that a big tory defeat is a price worth paying for a true conservative party, whatever that means. i think it is nonsense. i think nigel farage will be quite wise to stay away from that and involve himself with the donald trump campaign instead. john, thank you so much. my pleasure. let's get more reaction from the conservative party. earlier the conservative party chairman, richard holden told naga munchetty that turn out was low in both constituencies. it's not a great result for the conservatives, obviously, overnight losing these two by—elections. but i think we've got to look at the context of them as well. one of them in kingswood, we had seen an mp stand down. obviously it's only, you know, less than a year before general election as well.

and in wellingborough we saw a recall petition, an mp forced to stand down as well. so, you know, not an ideal context at all to have these by—elections in and both with those local contexts as well. ithink, though, you know, the big thing that i've noticed as well is in addition to obviously the results themselves, as you just talked about to the viewers, also the turnout figures being so substantially down in both of the by—elections, about half of what we saw at the last general election as well. 0k. which of these statements don't you agree with? 0ur chief political correspondent said it's a calamitous result for the conservative party. 0ur political analystjohn curtice says the conservatives are in deep, deep electoral trouble, a government that is staring defeat in the face. do you disagree with any of those statements? well, look, ithink there's no denying. you can sort of talk it up as much as you like.

there's no denying that these are not great results for the conservative party. what i would say, though, is that we've seen turnout figures, you know, very substantially down as well. we've not seen a massive switch from the conservatives to labour or anybody else. what we've seen is a huge number of people who had voted conservative in 2019 staying at home. and if you look at the, you know, both results, i think particularly in kingswood actually, you know, fewer... significantly fewer people voted labour this time than they did at the last general election. so this is very much i think people are, you know, holding their votes at home rather than going out to make a positive decision either way. but there were some who turned out who voted conservative or have voted conservative before. and analysis of the data suggests that for every there were switches to labour from the conservatives, but there are also switches to reform uk as well.

and reform has said its ambition is to block conservative victories in the general election. do you think that with one of these by—elections where reform was standing, that they have a point, they have a chance of doing that and fulfilling that ambition? you know, i think you're absolutely right. that is reform's ambition. their ambition is to block conservatives winning seats and therefore put keir starmer into downing street. they've made it very clear. you've read out that statement from them. that's what reform uk want to do. they want to see keir starmer in downing street and not have a conservative government. pat mcfadden from the labour party spoke and he introduced the new mp

damian egan. the spoke and he introduced the new mp damian egan-— damian egan. the country needs chance damian egan. the country needs change and _ damian egan. the country needs change and i _ damian egan. the country needs change and i know _ damian egan. the country needs change and i know that - damian egan. the country needs change and i know that these - damian egan. the country needs| change and i know that these two damian egan. the country needs - change and i know that these two new mps will make a tremendous difference in the constituencies they represent but we know a bigger testis they represent but we know a bigger test is coming. and for us, that test is coming. and for us, that test cannot come soon enough. the country needs change. the tories have failed and this changed labour party with the leadership of keir starmer stands ready to change the country. starmer stands ready to change the count . , starmer stands ready to change the country-_ that _ starmer stands ready to change the country._ that is - starmer stands ready to change the country._ that is our - country. cheering. that is our mission. and _ country. cheering. that is our mission. and we _ country. cheering. that is our mission. and we will _ country. cheering. that is our mission. and we will work - country. cheering. that is our| mission. and we will work every country. cheering. that is our- mission. and we will work every day between now and the general election to win the trust of the people to help make it happen. it! to win the trust of the people to help make it happen.— help make it happen. i'd like to start by thanking _ help make it happen. i'd like to start by thanking the _ help make it happen. i'd like to start by thanking the voters - help make it happen. i'd like to start by thanking the voters ofl start by thanking the voters of kingswood are putting their trust in me and _ kingswood are putting their trust in me and for— kingswood are putting their trust in me and for giving me their support to represent them in parliament. all

the hundreds of doors that are not, the hundreds of doors that are not, the choices, — the hundreds of doors that are not, the choices, were forced to move in parliament. — the choices, were forced to move in parliament, a verse from the conservative party defending the record _ conservative party defending the record of— conservative party defending the record of this government or do you want _ record of this government or do you want a _ record of this government or do you want a voice — record of this government or do you want a voice that are stoking for the change that we need to see in our community? the the change that we need to see in our community?— the change that we need to see in our community? the winner of that election in kingswood, _ our community? the winner of that election in kingswood, but- our community? the winner of that election in kingswood, but let's - our community? the winner of that election in kingswood, but let's go| election in kingswood, but let's go back and tear from one of them and us last night in wellingborough in northamptonshire, gen kitchen took the former seat of peter bone which he held that the majority of 18,000 so here is a little from her victory speech. i so here is a little from her victory seech. ., so here is a little from her victory seech. . ., , , speech. i am delighted to be suited as the newly _ speech. i am delighted to be suited as the newly elected _ speech. i am delighted to be suited as the newly elected labour- speech. i am delighted to be suited as the newly elected labour mp - speech. i am delighted to be suited as the newly elected labour mp for| as the newly elected labour mp for wellingborough!— as the newly elected labour mp for wellingborough!_ i - as the newly elected labour mp for wellingborough!_ i am l as the newly elected labour mp for| wellingborough!_ i am on wellingborough! cheering. i am on that other people _ wellingborough! cheering. i am on that other people have _ wellingborough! cheering. i am on that other people have placed - wellingborough! cheering. i am on that other people have placed theirl that other people have placed their trust in me and the labour party under keir starmer but i also know

from the thousands of conversations i have had during this campaign how desperately people want to change and a fresh start for the country. the people of wellingborough have spoken for britain. this is a stunning victory for the labour party and must send a message from northamptonshire to downing street. i ran a positive northamptonshire to downing street. iran a positive campaign built on both local issues that people told me it needed addressing here as well as the national desire for change. people here are patriotic. in total for our country and they care about our community. but they know that all roads are not fit to drive on, getting your child a doctor's appointment can seem impossible and that they are paying more and getting less. today, they said enough is enough. getting less. today, they said enou:his enou:h. �* ~ ,, ., enough is enough. applause. that was the winner of— enough is enough. applause. that was the winner of the _ enough is enough. applause. that was the winner of the by-election _ enough is enough. applause. that was the winner of the by-election in - the winner of the by—election in wellingborough and northamptonshire, gen kitchen. we can speak to our

political correspondent in wellingborough, and helen both parties digesting the results? yes. parties digesting the results? yes, the are parties digesting the results? yes, they are and _ parties digesting the results? yes, they are and i _ parties digesting the results? yes, they are and i think— parties digesting the results? yes, they are and i think what is interesting about the result in wellingborough is the scale of the conservative loss here, quite how much _ conservative loss here, quite how much that— conservative loss here, quite how much that vote has collapsed, it's down _ much that vote has collapsed, it's down nearly 38%, the share of the vote here — down nearly 38%, the share of the vote here in — down nearly 38%, the share of the vote here in wellingborough and that is the _ vote here in wellingborough and that is the biggest ever drop in vote share _ is the biggest ever drop in vote share for— is the biggest ever drop in vote share for the conservatives in any try-election — share for the conservatives in any by—election since 1945 so that is a bin, by—election since 1945 so that is a big, big _ by—election since 1945 so that is a big, big loss for them. by—election since 1945 so that is a big, big loss forthem. labour coming — big, big loss forthem. labour coming out with a majority perhaps bigger— coming out with a majority perhaps bigger than they might have expected, just over 6000 considering when the _ expected, just over 6000 considering when the tories won this, they won it by more — when the tories won this, they won it by more than 18,000 so it is an interesting — it by more than 18,000 so it is an interesting scale and it's notjust labour— interesting scale and it's notjust labour and — interesting scale and it's notjust labour and the conservatives digesting this result but reform uk who performed very well here, 14% of the vote _ who performed very well here, 14% of the vote and — who performed very well here, 14% of the vote and they... we have seen

the vote and they... we have seen the reform — the vote and they... we have seen the reform uk candidate out and about _ the reform uk candidate out and about this morning looking happy at this result — about this morning looking happy at this result. in line with how they happen— this result. in line with how they happen pulling and the they were expecting and i think they feel it shows— expecting and i think they feel it shows that they are a credible threat — shows that they are a credible threat. ~ ., , ., shows that they are a credible threat. ~ . , ., ., , threat. we have been hearing voters in wellingborough _ threat. we have been hearing voters in wellingborough were _ threat. we have been hearing voters in wellingborough were quite - threat. we have been hearing votersl in wellingborough were quite focused on local issues. watching an agree with that? i on local issues. watching an agree with that? ., , on local issues. watching an agree with that? . , ., on local issues. watching an agree with that? ., , ., , on local issues. watching an agree with that? ., , ., with that? i was here a couple of weeks before — with that? i was here a couple of weeks before polling _ with that? i was here a couple of weeks before polling day - with that? i was here a couple of weeks before polling day and - with that? i was here a couple of weeks before polling day and it | with that? i was here a couple of. weeks before polling day and it was coming _ weeks before polling day and it was coming across loud and clear that there _ coming across loud and clear that there were — coming across loud and clear that there were a lot of local issues that played into this. people were talking _ that played into this. people were talking to — that played into this. people were talking to me about antisocial behaviour, the town centre here, competition from an out—of—town shopping — competition from an out—of—town shopping centre of the road that they feel— shopping centre of the road that they feel gutted the town centre a bit and _ they feel gutted the town centre a bit and they wanted more done but people _ bit and they wanted more done but people there were talking about, the word that _ people there were talking about, the word that kept coming up when i was speaking _ word that kept coming up when i was speaking to— word that kept coming up when i was speaking to people some weeks ago was change, they wanted more work done, _ was change, they wanted more work done, there's issues around an

urgent — done, there's issues around an urgent care _ done, there's issues around an urgent care centre, fixing potholes, various— urgent care centre, fixing potholes, various aspects year, a load of local— various aspects year, a load of local issues that were behind this but that— local issues that were behind this but that does not really take away from _ but that does not really take away from the — but that does not really take away from the trend that we have seen in recent— from the trend that we have seen in recent by—elections of the conservatives losing seats that they had held _ conservatives losing seats that they had held that large majorities, losing — had held that large majorities, losing them to the labour party, some _ losing them to the labour party, some with — losing them to the labour party, some with recent runs, to the labour party— some with recent runs, to the labour party and _ some with recent runs, to the labour party and using them convincingly and i_ party and using them convincingly and i think— party and using them convincingly and i think that is a trent that you cannot— and i think that is a trent that you cannot ignore. there was an issue here _ cannot ignore. there was an issue here which— cannot ignore. there was an issue here which the conservatives were .2 and that— here which the conservatives were .2 and that is— here which the conservatives were .2 and that is the circumstance in which — and that is the circumstance in which the _ and that is the circumstance in which the election was held, peter bone _ which the election was held, peter bone family conservative was sitting as an _ bone family conservative was sitting as an independent after he was suspended from parliament for bullying — suspended from parliament for bullying a member of staff and the conservative candidate here was his partner— conservative candidate here was his partner so _ conservative candidate here was his partner so there were some quite specific— partner so there were some quite specific circumstances to wellingborough but that really does not take _ wellingborough but that really does not take away from the overall

trend. — not take away from the overall trend. i— not take away from the overall trend, i think, not take away from the overall trend, ithink, that not take away from the overall trend, i think, that we not take away from the overall trend, ithink, that we have not take away from the overall trend, i think, that we have seen recently — trend, i think, that we have seen recentl . ., ,, ., ., , recently. how impassioned are people about politics — recently. how impassioned are people about politics and _ recently. how impassioned are people about politics and a _ recently. how impassioned are people about politics and a set _ recently. how impassioned are people about politics and a set reflected - about politics and a set reflected in the journal? the about politics and a set reflected in the journal?— about politics and a set reflected in the “ournal? ., ., , in the “ournal? the turnout here was a in the journal? the turnout here was a 3896, by-election _ in the journal? the turnout here was a 3896, by-election cannot _ in the journal? the turnout here was a 3896, by-election cannot is - a 38%, by—election cannot is generally— a 38%, by—election cannot is generally lower than a general election. — generally lower than a general election, but i think it was somewhere in the high 60s so you tend to _ somewhere in the high 60s so you tend to get a lower by—election turn than you _ tend to get a lower by—election turn than you do— tend to get a lower by—election turn than you do add a general election but in _ than you do add a general election but in terms of voter apathy and motivation — but in terms of voter apathy and motivation come i was here a couple of weeks _ motivation come i was here a couple of weeks ago there was not a huge enthusiasm for the politics in general _ enthusiasm for the politics in general. there was a bit of a sensor people _ general. there was a bit of a sensor people not— general. there was a bit of a sensor people not really feeling that perhaps the vote was going to make a difference _ perhaps the vote was going to make a difference and i had not quite decided — difference and i had not quite decided where they would go and i think that — decided where they would go and i think that potentially is the challenge, all the parties are going to have _ challenge, all the parties are going to have to— challenge, all the parties are going to have to on board.— to have to on board. helen, thank ou so to have to on board. helen, thank

you so much- _ to have to on board. helen, thank you so much. you _ to have to on board. helen, thank you so much. you can _ to have to on board. helen, thank you so much. you can find - to have to on board. helen, thank you so much. you can find all- to have to on board. helen, thank you so much. you can find all the| you so much. you can find all the latest updates and information on the bbc news live blog and will update that during the day as reaction comes in and you can check out analysis from all of our experts. let's pose the election coverage now. and take a look at the weather. here is matt taylor for us. another valid monday there, not quite as mild as yesterday, 18 degrees. the air coming upfrom mild as yesterday, 18 degrees. the air coming up from the azores swept eastwards through much of central and northern europe. rain through the night, shifting wind direction, temperatures in the monterey, the exception is the far north of scotland and brotherly wins will bring more of a chill to 0rkney and shetland and parts of and sutherland but overall, lots more sunshine, plot amounts varying producing some showers but many of you spending the bulk of the afternoon dry and with temperatures well above the average

for this time of year, peaking 14 or 15 degrees across some parts of england. not the temperatures take a dip across the east of scotland and eastern england so a cooler night and temperatures lower compared to last night but clad amounts increasing from the west, patchy light rain and drizzle and misty over the hills into saturday. cloud around on saturday, the sunshine is around on saturday, the sunshine is a touch hazy but there will be glimpses of it across the east and central parts. any early brightness in the west gives way to our picks of rain in northern ireland through the morning, spreading to western scotland and wales and the western fringes of england as the breeze strengthens from the south. that is key to maintaining the mall theme, temperatures 9—14 for most of us. many central and eastern areas will be dry, on saturday night rain spilling across these parts from the

south to take us on the sunday but the big question comes over how much of a double develops on the weather front and how long that will linger but at the moment it looks like a bad start across the south—east, a hang back of rain across parts of the midlands and north wales, a chance that could clear through and if it does it will be a dry and bright day but we will still see some sunny spells breaking through across many northern and western areas and around the english channel. temperatures on the mine site so a mile start to next week, be prepared for rain at times and some brisk wind but overall a story of things turning colour so temperatures back to normal at the end of the week. take care. let's take a look at some other stories making news. the man viewed by german prosecutors as the main suspect in the case of the british toddler madeleine mccann will go on trial in central

germany this morning.