who is the new liberal democrat mp for somerton and frome. let's catch up for somerton and frome. let's catch up with all the latest news with mickey shuler. thanks, jo. the conservatives have held off labour to retain boris johnson's former seat of uxbridge and south ruislip by a95 votes, whilst the liberal democrats have overturned a conservative majority of more than 19,000 votes in somerset. we are still waiting for the result in selby and ainsty in north yorkshire. so, in uxbridge and south ruislip, the tories' winning candidate, steve tuckwell, credited the labour mayor of london for his win. sadiq khan has lost labour this election... cheering ..and we know that it was his damaging and costly ulez policy that lost them this election. i'm humbled and proud to be

elected as the mp for the area in which i was born, raised, and built a family in — and to represent my home is a huge honour. the pundits expected labour to win big here, but our community came together, and i am thankful to them and the hundreds of activists that came out to deliver this message. this wasn't the campaign labour expected, and keir starmer and his mayor, sadiq khan, need to sit up and listen to the uxbridge and south ruislip residents. thank you. 0ur polling expert, sirjohn curtice, gave us his views on labour failing to take uxbridge. 0n the labour side we can sit too contrary argument is emerging. 0n the one hand leadership may want to say it is a clear warning. if we start talking about increasing spending and increasing taxes then we are at risk of losing what we have god. 0n the other hand, others will say if enthusiasm for the labour party is so thin that a local issue like this could upend what

should have been a successful victory campaign, then maybe there are questions to be asked about what labour are offering. i can see this adding to the debate that is going on inside the labour party about the sense that it should be offering to the electorate. —— stance. the liberal democrats have taken the seat of somerton and frome in somerset from the conservatives. even before the result had been declared, the party had predicted that its candidate, sarah dyke, had won the seat. the liberal democrats leader, sir ed davey, called it a stunning victory and said it showed the party was firmly back in its former west country stronghold. sarah dyke had a victory margin of more than 10,000 votes over the tory candidate. lifelong conservative voters have today voted liberal democrat for the first time. thank you for putting your trust in me to deliver for you. i will not let you down. and let me say a particular thank you to all those who usually vote labour

or green but lent me your votes this time. there is no doubt that our electoral system is broken — but you have shown that the conservatives can still be beaten under it. so we are now waiting for one more seat to declare — that's selby and ainsty in north yorkshire. back to you jo. thank you very much. let's go to selby and ainsty and see what is happening. everybody, all candidates, and their agents are waiting with anticipation so i presume that they have been told what the results are. they're waiting for the returning officer to call them to the stage. 13 candidates in this north yorkshire seat. vacated by nigel adams, nigel adams a huge fan of borisjohnson. he quit not long after the former prime

minister was told by the privileges committee that he repeatedly lied to mps in parliament about parties at downing street. but nigel adams' resignation was quite a surprise for the constituency. let's have a listen. there is a bit of discussion going on. but i think — the candidates are going onto the stage. again they will announce them in alphabetical order. care either for the labour party, claire holmes for the conservatives, and matt walker for the holmes for the conservatives, and matt walkerfor the liberal democrats. —— keir mather. it looks as if we have almost everyone there so we should get this result, five past four. i

carrie granger, can now inform you that the count of votes for the election held yesterday, the election held yesterday, the 20th ofjuly 2020, has concluded. the total number of votes cast across the constituency was 35,886. the total number of ballot papers rejected was 69. the number of valid votes for each candidate is as follows. grey, andrew phillips, 99. reid, clare amanda, commonly known as

holmes, clare, conservative candidate, 12,295. jordan michael thomas, commonly known asjordan, might come up representing the yorkshire party, 1503. ——jordan, mike. kent, david michael, commonly known as kent, dave, reform uk, 1332. mather, keir, dear alexander, labour, 4046. —— mather, keiralexander. palmas, mather, keir alexander. palmas, nicholas mather, keiralexander. palmas, nicholas stuart hiley, commonly

known as palmer, nick, independent, 342. phoenix, russell, die, commonly known as phoenix, guy, heritage party, 162. nichols, graham, commonly known as stanton, sir archibald, the official monster raving lunar party, 1042. walker, matthewjames canavan walker, matthew james ca navan commonly walker, matthewjames canavan commonly known as walter, matt, liberal democrats, 1188. —— walker, matthewjames, known as walter. arnold versus ignatius, green party, 1838. waterstone,

john william, social democratic party, 340. weller, lukejohn, climate party, 39. wilson, tyler callan, commonly known as wilson, kerr, independent, 67. i hereby declare that keir mather is duly elected. thank ou. mather is duly elected. thank yom now. — mather is duly elected. thank yom now. i— mather is duly elected. thank you. now, iwant_ mather is duly elected. thank you. now, i want to - mather is duly elected. thank you. now, i want to begin - mather is duly elected. thank you. now, i want to begin my time — you. now, i want to begin my time as— you. now, i want to begin my time as yourmp you. now, i want to begin my time as your mp by being very clean — time as your mp by being very clean i— time as your mp by being very clear. i understand the enormity of what has just

happened, i know what an honour disses. _ happened, i know what an honour disses. and — happened, i know what an honour disses, and i am humbled by opportunity to serve. in this campaign we have rewritten the rules _ campaign we have rewritten the rules of— campaign we have rewritten the rules of where labour can win. people — rules of where labour can win. people of— rules of where labour can win. people of open their doors to us and — people of open their doors to us and embraced our positive vision — us and embraced our positive vision for— us and embraced our positive vision for the future and thousands of the votes cast yesterday were in labour's box for the — yesterday were in labour's box for the very first time. for those _ for the very first time. for those of— for the very first time. for those of you who have put your faith _ those of you who have put your faith in — those of you who have put your faith in our— those of you who have put your faith in our party, thank you. -- labour's_ faith in our party, thank you. —— labour's box. i don't take it —— labour's box. idon't take it lately— —— labour's box. i don't take it lately and _ —— labour's box. i don't take it lately and i won't let you down _ it lately and i won't let you down i_ it lately and i won't let you down. i don't shy away from the down. idon't shy away from the work— down. idon't shy away from the work that— down. idon't shy away from the work that is— down. i don't shy away from the work that is to come. the people _ work that is to come. the people of selby and ainsty had sent a — people of selby and ainsty had sent a clear message — for too long _ sent a clear message — for too long conservatives rpm and in westminster have failed us. today— westminster have failed us. today that changes. it's time for a — today that changes. it's time for a fresh start. thank you to the returning officer, election staff— the returning officer, election staff and _ the returning officer, election staff and police for the smooth running — staff and police for the smooth running of both the selection

and this— running of both the selection and this council. your work enables— and this council. your work enables our democracy and it couidn't— enables our democracy and it couldn't be more important. thank— couldn't be more important. thank you _ couldn't be more important. thank you also to my agent, scott. — thank you also to my agent, scott. and _ thank you also to my agent, scott, and the hundreds of labour— scott, and the hundreds of labour campaigners who have made — labour campaigners who have made this possible. your enthusiasm and dedication have made _ enthusiasm and dedication have made history. i have been so proud — made history. i have been so proud to— made history. i have been so proud to campaign alongside you — proud to campaign alongside you i— proud to campaign alongside you. i want to say it special thank— you. i want to say it special thank you _ you. i want to say it special thank you to my partner, un, for all— thank you to my partner, un, for all the _ thank you to my partner, un, for all the support, and for my famiiy— for all the support, and for my tamiiy for— for all the support, and for my family for they done. —— ewen. i family for they done. —— ewen. i have — family for they done. —— ewen. i have encountered so much hardship _ i have encountered so much hardship on the doorstep of those — hardship on the doorstep of those i've spoken to, made harder— those i've spoken to, made harder try— those i've spoken to, made harder by 13 years of negligence and complacency from the conservatives. today that changes _ the conservatives. today that changes. the people of selby and ainsty have made it clear. they— and ainsty have made it clear. they deserve public services that — they deserve public services that work and a thriving local economy _ that work and a thriving local economy. they deserve urgent support— economy. they deserve urgent support in— economy. they deserve urgent support in the cost of living crisis. _ support in the cost of living crisis, defences to protect our

communities, and nhs that is fit for— communities, and nhs that is fit for the _ communities, and nhs that is fit for the future, public transport that connects us, more — transport that connects us, more police on our streets, and action— more police on our streets, and action to — more police on our streets, and action to protect our beautiful countryside and rivers. that's what — countryside and rivers. that's what we _ countryside and rivers. that's what we want and that's way i am here _ what we want and that's way i am here. and in a year's time i believe — am here. and in a year's time i believe will _ am here. and in a year's time i believe will be on the precipice of a labour government, a mission driven labour— government, a mission driven labour government to transform the country, make their choices, _ the country, make their choices, and empower communities across the country. today— communities across the country. today we — communities across the country. today we have made history so that tomorrow will be a fresh that tomorrow will be afresh start— that tomorrow will be a fresh start for— that tomorrow will be a fresh start for the people of selby and ainsty. thank you for giving _ and ainsty. thank you for giving me this chance to listen, _ giving me this chance to listen, to serve, and to fight our— listen, to serve, and to fight our corner _ listen, to serve, and to fight our corner. i can't wait to get started. — our corner. i can't wait to get started. thank you. welcome a victory for _ started. thank you. welcome a victory for labour _ started. thank you. welcome a victory for labour in _ started. thank you. welcome a victory for labour in selby - started. thank you. welcome a victory for labour in selby and l victory for labour in selby and ainsty. we have heard from their new mp, who i think will be the youngest at 25. keir mather, two key is in the

parliamentary party in labour. —— keirs. you must be delighted jonathan. it -- keirs. you must be delighted jonathan. ., , -- keirs. you must be delighted jonathan. ., -- keirs. you must be delighted jonathan. . , . , ., ., ~ jonathan. it was a breathtaking result of historic _ jonathan. it was a breathtaking result of historic proportions. l result of historic proportions. it is tory voters directly switching to the labour party. that is a hugely significant result. but i can't hide my pleasure at that obviously. it is a hugely significant part of this evening. but i would also take some humility from that as well. i don't want anyone to think that we look at a result like this and think there is nothing more to do. because there is more to do to make sure that translates to the general election success that we all want to see. but as a contest, as a result, to win in a place like that with a majority like that, i think, is a sensational result. going back to our comments at the start of the evening, you know, what is ambitious for me would be a government that is committed to, you know, policies around and having a good job, a good life, and that

is what policy is about these days. sometimes it is underestimated, but if you see how the public have responded to that in a context like that, incredible.— to that in a context like that, incredible. let's welcome the tran5port _ incredible. let's welcome the transport minister _ incredible. let's welcome the transport minister for - incredible. let's welcome the transport minister for the - transport minister for the conservative government. labour have just overturned a 20,000 plus majority in a part of the country that is not recently traditional labour heartland or labour territory. that is a pretty strong message being sent to rishi sunak and the conservatives that the people of selby and ainsty have had enough. i of selby and ainsty have had enou:h. ~' ., , enough. i think we need to see every by-election _ enough. i think we need to see every by-election in _ enough. i think we need to see every by-election in context. i | every by—election in context. i was on the ground in selby multiple times and some of my colleagues, a lot of volunteers from across the north of england for the conservative meant a huge bit of time there. i would like to pay tribute to the work... i would like to pay tribute to the work. . .— i would like to pay tribute to the work... but you lost, and ou the work... but you lost, and you lost _ the work... but you lost, and you lost significantly. -

you lost significantly. 0verturning the majority is an historic win for the labour party, even in terms of by—elections and it was said that they needed a 17.9% swing and they have done that. that would definitely look like a majority. if that were replicated in other parts of the country, in a general election next year. i the country, in a general election next year. i would say this is a by-election _ election next year. i would say this is a by-election as - election next year. i would say this is a by-election as well, i this is a by—election as well, and there were specific local factors, as we can see from the results across the three results across the three results tonight that they are very different results playing out in different parts of the country with very different local factors. country with very different localfactors. but i country with very different local factors. but i think people in selby and ainsty, we have to get better at ensuring that we get our message across and they have a right to be heard again. what message do you need to get across to voters, though? relentlessly focusing on the issues that matter to them, with the five priorities that the prime minister has named.

that occurs within my constituency too, which i'll be getting a train to in not very long, which really revolve around cost of living, jobs, and the economy — and particularly stopping the boats and starting to reduce waiting lists. i think we have to deliver on those for a right to be heard by some voters across the country again.— be heard by some voters across the country again. natasha, you said this might _ the country again. natasha, you said this might be _ the country again. natasha, you said this might be the _ the country again. natasha, you said this might be the result - said this might be the result that you felt would perhaps be the strongest indicator in terms of the state of the parties and the state of the government. what do you think now? ., , , now? yeah, i still believe that. now? yeah, i still believe that and _ now? yeah, i still believe that. and |_ now? yeah, i still believe that. and | still— now? yeah, i still believe that. and | still think- now? yeah, i still believej that. and i still think ulez was — that. and i still think ulez was more of a local issue in uxbridge, _ was more of a local issue in uxbridge, and obviously we saw that in— uxbridge, and obviously we saw that in such a close result. obviously we do know we've got to take — obviously we do know we've got to take it — obviously we do know we've got to take it all with a pinch of sait— to take it all with a pinch of salt - — to take it all with a pinch of salt — people vote very differently in by—elections than — differently in by—elections than they do in a general election. the sis a clear message coming for the government, a clear win for keir— government, a clear win for keir starmer. nobody is going to deny— keir starmer. nobody is going to deny that. rishi sunak needs to deny that. rishi sunak needs to look— to deny that. rishi sunak needs to look at— to deny that. rishi sunak needs to look at this and listen. someone said earlier they'll be listening — someone said earlier they'll be listening to the result. what

are they— listening to the result. what are they going to do? what will the message be?— are they going to do? what will the message be? what needs to chance the message be? what needs to change inwhat _ the message be? what needs to change inwhat should _ the message be? what needs to change inwhat should rishi - change inwhat should rishi sunak do? i change inwhat should rishi sunak do?— change inwhat should rishi sunak do? ~' �* ., ., sunak do? i think we've got to net the sunak do? i think we've got to get the delivery _ sunak do? i think we've got to get the delivery right - sunak do? i think we've got to get the delivery right on - sunak do? i think we've got to get the delivery right on the i get the delivery right on the priorities now. we've started to see inflation moving, but families in my constituency are still feeling those issues at home. yes, obviously there are international issues which have hugely play under to that. but we need to get on top of that. we need to ensure that the waiting lists are falling. and the legislation, we've only had royal assent in the last 24 hours for the immigration bill, but people want to see those things changing on the ground. are you disappointed that the rishi sunak effect obviously hasn't come into force here in selby and ainsty? he promised a different type of government. he promised he would get things done. and it hasn't worked here. and the polls are showing that 20—point lead for labour — i mean, that is sort of represented in this result... crosstalk

therefore rishi sunak will have to do something to address this? i to do something to address this? ~ to do something to address this? ,, , to do something to address this? ~ , , to do something to address this? ~' , , ., this? i think this is a by-election - - this? i think this is a by-election - i've i this? i think this is a i by-election - i've been this? i think this is a - by-election - i've been out by—election — i've been out there on the ground and i've certainly not seen keir starmer out on any of labour's leaflets on the ground. we've got specific local factors on the ground — some issues around drax were raised with me out on the doorstep as well. so i think we've got to see it in that context. mi think we've got to see it in that context.— think we've got to see it in that context. all right. let's talk to the _ that context. all right. let's talk to the new _ that context. all right. let's talk to the new mp - that context. all right. let's talk to the new mp for - that context. all right. let's| talk to the new mp for selby and ainsty, keir mather you make me feel very old, looking at you! laughs going into parliament, what life experiences at the tender age of 25 can you bring to parliament?— age of 25 can you bring to parliament? age of 25 can you bring to arliament? . ~ , parliament? sure. well, my life experience _ parliament? sure. well, my life experience is — parliament? sure. well, my life experience is very _ parliament? sure. well, my life experience is very similar - parliament? sure. well, my life experience is very similar to - parliament? sure. well, my life experience is very similar to a l experience is very similar to a lot of the constituents who i'm now extremely proud to serve. i grew up in a rural village. i know what it's like when your bus doesn't show up, when you can't get the gp services you need, when you struggle to access local services. and that's something that i'm

really looking forward to cracking on with from day one as the mp for this seat. in terms of _ as the mp for this seat. in terms of keir starmer, the labour leader, we've been discussing here the enthusiasm — or not — for the labour leader. were constituents saying to you, "we're voting for you, saying to you, "we're voting foryou, keir mather, saying to you, "we're voting for you, keir mather, because we really, really love keir starmer"?— we really, really love keir starmer"? , ., starmer"? they were voting labour because _ starmer"? they were voting labour because they - starmer"? they were voting labour because they know. starmer"? they were voting - labour because they know that, under keir starmer�*s leadership, we've got an actual mission—driven plan to achieve some of the things that matter to them the most. in this by—election, i was extremely proud to stand on a local plan to help support residents through the cost—of—living crisis and make a nhs for the future. if people have a hardworking labour mp in their seat, they can get the change they need. i'm extremely proud that voters in selby and ainsty have given our programme this ringing endorsement in this by—election. ringing endorsement in this by-election-_ ringing endorsement in this b-election. , , by-election. you'll be pleased to know that _ by-election. you'll be pleased to know that your _ by-election. you'll be pleased to know that your namesake l by-election. you'll be pleased i to know that your namesake keir starmer has put out a comment

really quickly as a result. he says, "this is a historic result that shows the people are looking at labour and seeing a changed party that is focused entirely on the priorities of working people with an ambitious, practical plan to deliver." "keir mather will be a fantastic mp who will deliver the fresh start selby and ainsty deserves." what's the first thing you're going to do? ~ , . , , ., the first thing you're going to do? .,' the first thing you're going to do? ., , do? my absolute no. 1 priority is sopporting _ do? my absolute no. 1 priority is supporting local _ do? my absolute no. 1 priority is supporting local residents i is supporting local residents through the cost—of—living crisis. through the cost-of-living crisis. ., through the cost-of-living crisis.- whether - through the cost-of-living crisis.- whether in i through the cost-of-living - crisis.- whether in towns crisis. how? whether in towns or villages _ crisis. how? whether in towns or villages across _ crisis. how? whether in towns or villages across this - or villages across this constituency, people's mortgages are through the roof, their energy bills are unsustainable. i'll be setting up unsustainable. i'll be setting up financial support hubs so people can access the support they need. people can access the support they need-— people can access the support they need. there isn't anything ou can they need. there isn't anything you can directly _ they need. there isn't anything you can directly do _ they need. there isn't anything you can directly do to - they need. there isn't anything you can directly do to help - you can directly do to help people with cost of living. setting up support hubs is one thing, but there isn't anything you can do directly?— you can do directly? well, in the long-term, _ you can do directly? well, in the long-term, labour- you can do directly? well, in the long-term, labour has i you can do directly? well, in the long-term, labour has aj the long—term, labour has a plan through gb energy which will knock £1,400 off people's

energy bills here in selby and ainsty. under economic stewardship, we hope to get interest rates and mortgage rates down in the long—term. it doesn't mean that a labour mp can't show up from day one and put in a real, dedicated effort to give local residents the support they need.- to give local residents the support they need. keir mather, thank ou support they need. keir mather, thank you very _ support they need. keir mather, thank you very much, _ support they need. keir mather, thank you very much, and - thank you very much, and congratulations again on becoming the labour mp for selby and ainsty in north yorkshire.— selby and ainsty in north i yorkshire._ well, yorkshire. thank you. well, john curtis. _ yorkshire. thank you. well, john curtis, one _ yorkshire. thank you. well, john curtis, one by-election john curtis, one by—election result each per party. is this the one that might give us the best indicator of, perhaps, the state of the parties? 0r best indicator of, perhaps, the state of the parties? or not? well, it's certainly a by—election result that will give the conservatives reason to temper whatever celebrations they might have had in the wake of the uxbridge result earlier this evening. the swing is nearly 24% from conservative to labour. ~ i nearly 24% from conservative to labour.- i make - nearly 24% from conservative to labour.- i make that - nearly 24% from conservative to labour.- i make that the l labour. mmm. i make that the second-biggest _ labour. mmm. i make that the second-biggest swing - labour. mmm. i make that the second-biggest swing ever - labour. mmm. i make that the second-biggest swing ever in l labour. mmm. i make that thej second-biggest swing ever in a second—biggest swing ever in a parliamentary by—election from conservative to labour. and when was the last time that the

labour party was recording a performance on that kind of scale? well, it was the 1992—97 parliament that did not end happily for the conservatives. certainly if you put together what was a 26—point drop in the conservative vote in selby, together with the 29% drop in somerton — yes, the conservatives managed to stem the outgoing tide from which they are seemingly suffering in uxbridge, but it seems to me that there's little gain saying the fact that the tide is still a long way out for the conservatives, and they still have an awful long way to go before they look as though they might have a chance of being able to retain power after the next general election. 0bviously we're focused on these by—elections this evening. but, just briefly, we could have a couple of others coming down the track, which could cause further headaches for rishi sunak?— could cause further headaches

for rishi sunak? yes, we could indeed. for rishi sunak? yes, we could indeed- one — for rishi sunak? yes, we could indeed. one of _ for rishi sunak? yes, we could indeed. one of the _ for rishi sunak? yes, we could indeed. one of the points - for rishi sunak? yes, we could indeed. one of the points is i for rishi sunak? yes, we could indeed. one of the points is in| indeed. one of the points is in tamworth, which previously as south—east staffordshire was a by—election in 1997 before which the labour party secured a swing of 27% — not quite on the scale of which we've seen in selby. there is form there, although the interesting thing particularly about that constituency is that it's one which voted very heavily for leave in 2016 and, therefore, will present a real challenge to labour's ability to reconnect with leave voting errors. meanwhile, we're waiting to see whether or not ms doris is, indeed, going to resign her seat or not. there, what the conservatives must be hoping for is that it's pretty clear that labour and the liberal democrats fancy their chances. what we've seen tonight is the liberal democrat vote fall in uxbridge, fall in selby. the labour vote has fallen in somerton. very clear evidence of opposition voters

being willing to vote tactically for the party that seems best able to defeat the conservatives locally. and that's another bad message for the conservatives. but, given that that is one of the foundations of labour's success in selby and the liberal democrats' success in somerton — if, in the end, it isn't clear who is the principal challenger to the conservative in mid bedfordshire, that might it easierfor the in mid bedfordshire, that might it easier for the conservatives to hang onto that seat. john curtice, thank _ to hang onto that seat. john curtice, thank you _ to hang onto that seat. john curtice, thank you very - to hang onto that seat. john | curtice, thank you very much for keeping us company with your expert analysis this evening. we have all three results in now. let's come back to the panel. richard holden, you've come on for this final hour and, actually, that result in selby and ainsty — that swing, that 24% swing from the conservatives to labour — a 29% swing from conservatives to the liberal democrats in somerton and frome. you held uxbridge and frome. you held uxbridge and south ruislip, but there

was still a 6.7% swing for labour. are you worried now that the next election is lost? well, they're very mixed results. big variety of local factors at play there. earlier tonight, i think people would have thought that uxbridge was perhaps even the most vulnerable of all of those seats. clearly quite different results in different areas. i think it's quite clear we now need to have an absolutely laser—like focus on the people's priorities which are the prime minister's priorities. and that is mostly around the economy, around inflation, around growth, around ensuring debt�*s under control. because i think only by delivering on those priorities will the people really give us a hearing on... if you don't deliver on them, you admit you will probably lose the general election? we are auoin lose the general election? we are going to — lose the general election? - are going to focus on them and deliver on them. that's the only way... deliver on them. that's the only way- - -_ only way... do you think a reshuffle _ only way... do you think a reshuffle is _ only way... do you think a reshuffle is inevitable - only way... do you think a reshuffle is inevitable now sooner rather than later? that's not for me to determine. but what i would say is that we have to show real leadership on

those priorities. that's across the party. this is about delivering for the people, and particularly ensuring that we get inflation under control. it's a sunny victory, johnathan, for the labour party in selby and ainsty, but it's disappointing in uxbridge and south ruislip. would you accept by—elections, by their very nature, are special events in the parliamentary electoral calendar? they aren't, necessarily, a good or solid indicator of what will happen at a general election?- at a general election? well, the 're at a general election? well, they're the _ at a general election? well, they're the closest - at a general election? well, they're the closest we - at a general election? well, j they're the closest we have. but they're not everything. that is just an incredible result, just seeing it in front of us on the monitors. it's scarcely believable. it's a good example, of course, of a seat where the boundaries change and then it's a strong position for us to now be in for the next election as well. but, look, we will take heart from this. it's a validation, i think, of the tremendous change in the labour party since 2019 to bring us back to the absolute heart and mainstream of representing working people in this country, where we always should have been. we had always should have been. we had a very difficult few years.

we're back where we need to be. but there'll not be a shred of complacency with that. we know there will always be more to do to make sure we get the result at the general election we need to give this country the fresh start that it needs. but we will take heart from this. fit will take heart from this. a stunning result from sarah dyke, now the mp in somerton and frome. but, again, these are by—elections, and the liberal democrats particularly do well in the by—elections they really target. it doesn't mean they'll be replicated in any way, when your polling is still 11% nationally.— still 11% nationally. this is the fourth _ still 11% nationally. this is the fourth massive - still 11% nationally. this is - the fourth massive by-election the fourth massive by—election result in this parliament. you keep talking about polls. we polled 20% in local elections earlier this year and took seats across the country from both labour and the conservatives, i should point out, whether it was in yorkfordsure, surrey, devon — right across the country, we're gaining seats. that's all part of a pattern. we know that, for the liberal democrats, having thank that strong local government base is key to

winning seats at a general election. so i think it does show a really good trajectory where we're winning notjust across the blue wall, but parts of the west country and, as i say, up in places like hull against the labour party, we're really making gains. shill against the labour party, we're really making gains.— really making gains. all right. keir mather _ really making gains. all right. keir mather has _ really making gains. all right. keir mather has won - really making gains. all right. keir mather has won in - really making gains. all right. keir mather has won in selby | keir mather has won in selby and ainsty. keir starmer obviously delighted. but would you admit it's not a is vote of confidence specifically in his appeal — it's more about the labour party generally? i think, clearly, the vote in uxbridge was a ulez vote. i think— uxbridge was a ulez vote. i think thatjohnny's made uxbridge was a ulez vote. i think that johnny's made that case — think that johnny's made that case tonight. as natasha kept saying. — case tonight. as natasha kept saying, this felt like more of a national result in selby. and ithink— a national result in selby. and i think that the criticism that we've — i think that the criticism that we've heard about keir starmer over— we've heard about keir starmer over and — we've heard about keir starmer over and over we've heard about keir starmer overand overagain — we've heard about keir starmer over and over again — we've even— over and over again — we've even heard— over and over again — we've even heard it tonight — is there's— even heard it tonight — is there's little enthusiasm for keir— there's little enthusiasm for keir starmer in the country. and — keir starmer in the country. and people have been saying, "well, — and people have been saying, "well, why is he not achieving results — "well, why is he not achieving results like tony blair did in the run—up to 1997?" but that is exactly— the run—up to 1997?" but that is exactly the sort of result that — is exactly the sort of result that tony blair got in the run-up— that tony blair got in the run—up to 1997. that tony blair got in the run-up to 1997. something for the tories _ run-up to 1997. something for the tories to _ run-up to 1997. something for the tories to worry _ run-up to 1997. something for the tories to worry about - - run-up to 1997. something for| the tories to worry about - and

the tories to worry about — and rishi sunak to think about — tomorrow morning, or rather later this morning? it tomorrow morning, or rather later this morning?— later this morning? it is. obviously _ later this morning? it is. obviously even - later this morning? it is. obviously even if - later this morning? it is. obviously even if we - later this morning? it is. | obviously even if we take later this morning? it is. - obviously even if we take the 0bviously even if we take the two results that we've got at face value — a swing of 7% in uxbridge and a swing of 24% — labour will be pretty delighted if they get anywhere between those two in a general election. so i think it has got to be, you know, where we look at that and sort of how we compare those two. 0bviously at that and sort of how we compare those two. obviously we can't take these by—elections as exactly what people would vote in a general election. but, like i say, it's a good result for labour tonight. they've obviously shown that they can do something even if it is because people are tired of the tory party and not coming out to vote, as the tories did fear — even if it is because of that, it is a good result for labour. can't deny that. , , , ., , ., that. very briefly, when do you think the next _ that. very briefly, when do you think the next election - that. very briefly, when do you think the next election will - think the next election will be? next spring or next autumn? i have no idea.— i have no idea. when do you think it should _ i have no idea. when do you think it should be? - i have no idea. when do you think it should be? i- i have no idea. when do you think it should be? i want i i have no idea. when do you think it should be? i want to see us really _ think it should be? i want to see us really having - think it should be? i want to see us really having had i think it should be? i want to see us really having had the | see us really having had the chance _ see us really having had the chance to deliver on those priorities the prime minister's laid out, _ priorities the prime minister's laid out, particularly the pledges made around halving inflation in the year and getting... laughs they've already been on...

before people give us a hearing in a general election... all in a general election... all riuht. in a general election... all right- let's _ in a general election... fill right. let's stick with the election results tonight. it has been fascinating and unexpected, to some extent, because the conservatives have held the north—west london seat of uxbridge and south ruislip. the liberal democrats, as of uxbridge and south ruislip. the liberal democrats, as predicted, have overturned a predicted, have overturned a huge majority to win in huge majority to win in somerton and frome in somerset. somerton and frome in somerset. we havejust heard in we havejust heard in somerton and frome in somerset. we have just heard in the last somerton and frome in somerset. we have just heard in the last half an hour, in selby and half an hour, in selby and ainsty in north yorkshire, a ainsty in north yorkshire, a pretty historic victory for the pretty historic victory for the labour party and the youngest labour party and the youngest mp going into parliament. thank mp going into you to all of my guests for labour party and the youngest mp to ng into labour party and the youngest mp to all into labour party and the youngest mp to all of o labour party and the youngest mp to all of my guests for keeping me company here this you to all of my guests for keeping me company here this evening into the wee hours, as evening into the wee hours, as they would say, at 4:30. you they would say, at 4:30. you can get more reaction and can get more reaction and analysis on bbc breakfast, coming up. and not too far they would say, at 4:30. you can get up. 'e reaction and they would say, at 4:30. you can get up. and action and they would say, at 4:30. you can get up. and nottn and they would say, at 4:30. you can get up. and not too 1d they would say, at 4:30. you can get up. and not too far away, actually, now. iwill be coming up. and not too far away, actually, now. iwill be back at 12:15 later on today back at 12:15 later on today for more politics live. from for more politics live. from all of us here, goodnight. all of us here, goodnight.

welcome to hardtalk. i'm stephen sackur, and today i'm in brussels,