although mid bedfordshire _ is fanciful. although mid bedfordshire was - is fanciful.nciful. although mid - bedfordshire was a spectacular is fanciful. although mid _ bedfordshire was a spectacular win, tamworth was even more significant for labour and it could suggest that it was a move back to when they voted for tony blair. the conservative candidate made a hasty exit and the government blamed traditional voters who hadn't turned up traditional voters who hadn't turned up at all. traditional voters who hadn't turned u- at all. ., , traditional voters who hadn't turned u- atall. , ., ., traditional voters who hadn't turned uatall. , ., ., ., up at all. people stayed at home and what people — up at all. people stayed at home and what people want — up at all. people stayed at home and what people want for _ up at all. people stayed at home and what people want for us _ up at all. people stayed at home and what people want for us is _ up at all. people stayed at home and what people want for us is to - up at all. people stayed at home and what people want for us is to f

mid bedfordshire, labour had never won _ results.bour had never won it, it was _ results. mid bedfordshire, labour had never won it, it was one - results. mid bedfordshire, labour had never won it, it was one of i results. mid bedfordshire, labour| had never won it, it was one of the safest seats in the country, they win by 25,000 votes in the general election. what we saw last night was extraordinary, labourwinning election. what we saw last night was extraordinary, labour winning the seat of the first time ever, overturning the biggest majority overturned ever at a by—election. it feels like a real moment. the question that people are asking this morning, is at the moment a labour victory at the general election became pretty much inevitable, like it was almost not going to be stopped? i was chatting to keir starmer 20 minutes ago on bbc breakfast and he was saying they don't want to get ahead of themselves. it is hard not to see themselves. it is hard not to see the increasing levels of confidence in the labour party when you spea

there was about 48 villages in mid bedfordshire.n the area, but if the support was replicated, that would put us on course to win a number of constituencies at the next general election. in mid bedfordshire, the labour candidate alistair strathern won the seat with 13,8722 votes. it gives the party a majority of 1,192 votes. this means the swing from the conservatives to labour was 20.5 percent. i'm joined now by our political correspondent nick eardley, who's in mid—bedfordshire. keir starmer saying they won't get carried away, and we do not have a general election until next year,... keir starmer was insisting that he is not getting ahead of himself, but he could hardly hide his smile this morning. he reckons, he argues, this is a game changer. it means that labour can now win seats in part of england that it has never won seats in before. two weeks ago, he was in rutherglen, saying that labour could win back parts of scotland, that it was not —— that it has not won for a decade. laboursaying was not —— that it has not won for a d

mid bedfordshire _ could the lib dems play?sition to the tories in the south—east. labour have shown they can compete for that title. that is going to work to the advantage of both parties i suspect because i think the lib dems in the end helped labour in mid bedfordshire by taking even more votes away from the tories than labour could have done on their own. we will see tactical voting in the general election which suggests that a strong lib dem performance will help labour.— that a strong lib dem performance will help labour. john, always good to talk to you. _ will help labour. john, always good to talk to you, thank _ will help labour. john, always good to talk to you, thank you _ will help labour. john, always good to talk to you, thank you for - will help labour. john, always good to talk to you, thank you for being l to talk to you, thank you for being with us this morning, the independent chief political commentator. one of the other main stories we are following, news from the middle east. us president biden has told a

in mid bedfordshire, it was 24,000. air strikes continue on gaza, there's still no sign about when aid will be allowed in. we are live injerusalem with two reports on the ground in gaza and we will assess how the war is affecting israelis. and, ooh—ah, he plays guitar — eric cantona reinvents himself as a musician.

the result in mid bedfordshire represents the largest conservative majority overturned by labour in ay—election since 1935. it was triggered following the resignation of former culture secretary nadine dorries. here our political helen kat. these by—elections were billed as nail—biters. close, tense. in the end, they delivered two significant victories to labour. first in tamworth — the 57th safest conservative seat in the country before last night. edwards, sarah siena, labour party — 11,719 votes. cheering. the new mp was elated. they are seeing the conservatives do not have anything to offer. the defeated conservative candidate chose not to stick around. in a statement the tories described it as "a difficult result on a much—reduced turnout". but it was about to get even more difficult for them. over in mid bedfordshire, when the ballot boxes started arriving, it had still been too close to call, in a rare three—way fight between the conservatives, labour and the lib dems. the liberal democrats doubled their share of the vote, but once again it was labour who emerged victorious. i

did you go to mid bedfordshire yourself? yes, i l those seats. hire yourself? yes, i went a number of times. can you give us i number of times. can you give us our number of times. can you give us your insight _ number of times. can you give us your insight as — number of times. can you give us your insight as to _ number of times. can you give us your insight as to what _ number of times. can you give us your insight as to what people i number of times. can you give us i your insight as to what people were saying to you on the doorstep, if you like, why they weren't voting as they previously had? you have increased your vote. people have come to you. whatever the reasons they not sticking with how they voted before? == they not sticking with how they voted before?— they not sticking with how they voted before? -- what were the reasons- — voted before? -- what were the reasons- they — voted before? -- what were the reasons. they were _ voted before? -- what were the reasons. they were a _ voted before? -- what were the reasons. they were a number

ithink ones that were in tamworth and mid bedfordshire.y—elections often are, and that by—elections are sometimes used to give a bit of a kicking to the current government, so they will argue that this may not be reflective of kind of what voters would do a general election and certainly these swings that we've seen tonight are positive i think of where opinion polls are currently at, labour certainly using this as a reason to write their belief on cost when many more seats at the general election.— the general election. lone wells. the swing from the conservatives to labour in tamworth was 23.9% and in mid bedfordshire 20.5%. polling expert professor sir john curtice gave me his reaction to the results. the fact the government have managed to lose to remark safe seat, tamworth is now the safest seat for any government to lose to the principal opposition, to lose to such safe seat on water by historical standards for by—elections near record—breaking swings. does represent one of the worst by—election in nights that any government has suff

mid—bedfordshire. ll, it's a seat that labour wasn't. it wasn't meant to be on labour's radar, but overnight tamworth have taken this seat overturning that 19,000 vote majority . keir starmer says majority. keir starmer says they're redrawing the political map and our political editor christopher hope is in mid—bedfordshire . mid beds. mid—bedfordshire. mid beds. >> he goes away for the first time since 1931, a complete disaster for the prime minister. but what should he do next? >> but do these results overnight indicate that the end of a conservative government at the next general election , while the next general election, while their party chairman, greg hands doesn't think so? >> well, obviously, this is a very disappointing result for us, but by elections are by elections. governments rarely win by elections . chaos and win by elections. chaos and conflict could spread . conflict could spread. >> that's the message from us president joe biden. if congress does not back a $100 billion bill to arm b

. stand northamptonshire, and now mid bedfordshire.— northamptonshire, and now mid bedfordshire. �* ,ided they wanted to punish the conservatives and they— wanted to punish the conservatives and they swung behind the labour candidate. — and they swung behind the labour candidate, which i give my one congratulations to of course. the liberal _ congratulations to of course. the liberal vote i'm sure sarah will speak— liberal vote i'm sure sarah will speak about this was strong. and in the end _ speak about this was strong. and in the end there was a decision to coalesce — the end there was a decision to coalesce around one person to punish the conservatives, after a very inauspicious backdrop to the campaign. an mp who... nadine dorries. campaign. an mp who... nadine dorries- who — campaign. an mp who... nadine dorries. who delayed _ campaign. an mp who... nadine dorries. who delayed her - dorries. who delayed her announcement, - dorries. who delayed her announcement, that - dorries. who delayed her| announcement, that really dorries. who delayed her _ announcement, that really hampered

with the prime mid—bedfordshire.the prime minister now facing calls for an early general election , we'll be early general election, we'll be getting live reaction . in mid—bedfordshire. >> this was a catastrophic defeat for the conservatives, with labour winning its second biggest by—election victory since the second world war. so what does this mean for rishi sunak and when can we expect a general election ? general election? >> we cannot let the terrorists win. >> us president joe biden pledges an unprecedented $100 billion in aid to help with the war effort in both israel and ukraine. i know these conflicts can seem far away , and it's can seem far away, and it's natural to ask why does this matter to america? >> so let me share with you why making sure israel and ukraine succeed is vital for america's national security . and that's as national security. and that's as prime minister rishi sunak continues his whistlestop tour of the middle east in a bid to attempt to prevent the israel—hamas war sparring spirallin

meanwhile alastair strathern claimed mid—bedfordshire . with a claimed mid—bedfordshire.bour win in a by—election since 1945. a second person has died during storm babet in scotland after a falling tree hit a van near forfar in angus. the met office has issued a new 24 hour red weather warning in central and north—east scotland as further heavy rainfall is expected. 400 people have been evacuated from their homes in brecon after flood defences were breached. a 57 year old woman lost her life in glenesk after being swept into a river yesterday. amber warnings for wind and rain have also been issued for parts of northern england, the midlands and northern wales as those are the headlines, you can, of course get more on all of those stories. just visit our website gb news.com stories. just visit our website gbnews.com . with me, michael portillo gb news britain's news . channel news britain's news. channel >> welcome back to the live desk . let's take you straight live to scotland with some extraordinary scenes there as the flooding not only extends but deepens with a warnin

the party made history in mid bedfordshire, winning the seat for the first time.r was 23.9%. in the labour candidate won the seat with 13,872 votes. it gives the seat with 13,872 votes. it gives the party a majority of 1192 votes. this means the swing from the conservatives to labour was 20.5%. the conservatives blamed low turnout, saying their voters stayed at home. 0ur political correspondent iain watson reports. two previously tory seats, two big wins for labour. keir starmer has been to visit both, with big swings for his party from the conservatives in tamworth, but his first stop this morning was to celebrate his close victory in mid bedfordshire. we know that voters here have voted for us and they have put their trust and the confidence in a changed labour party, and we will repay them for that trust and confidence. we do so humbly. there's no wonder keir starmer is looking so pleased with himself. before polling day, campaigners here told me that it would be between a conservative hold and a historic labour victory, but now his party has overturned the big

in mid bedfordshire, it was 2a,000.eople are fed up to the back teeth with 13 years of decline under this government. they want a fresh start, they want to go forward, a positive case with a changed labour party. as israeli air strikes continue on gaza, there's still no sign about when aid will be allowed in. we are live injerusalem with two reports on the ground in gaza and we will assess how the war is affecting israelis. and, ooh—ah, he plays guitar — eric cantona reinvents himself as a musician. also this hour, a palestinian restaurant in london says and coming up in sportsday later in the hour on bbc news... we'll get the latest from france and the rugby world cup semi—finals, england are prparing to face the world champiosn south africa tomorrow. good evening. three people have been killed in the high winds and flood waters brought by storm babet and another �*danger to life�* red warning has been issued by the met office for the north—east of scotland from midnight tonight. hundreds have had to be evacuated from

last week, we reported from tamworth, now alex forsyth is in mid bedfordshire, to look at what's at stakeordshire town of shefford, and the political activity taking place around here hasn't escaped these parents and carers either. have you heard much about this by—election? have i?! the stuff that keeps coming through the door... keeps coming through the door. yeah, we have. for me, personally, i think the issues are crime. too much building going on, really, and not enough infrastructure being put in. the cost of living, i think it has affected a lot of families. - with the prospect of a general election next year brewing away, how people here vote will be closely watched. and at this independent coffee shop, there's a lot to consider. there's been so much literature that's come through the door, it'sjust a bit, you're a bit bamboozled by it all, to be honest. gps have got to be a first because, obviously, they're building notjust here, i know they're building everywhere, but we do need more gps. visibility, ithink, is important. actually making a difference as well, because i think the

and in mid bedfordshire, the labour candidate, alistair strathern, won the seat with 13,872.bour was 20.5%. and the conservatives have blamed low turnout, saying their voters stayed at home. our political correspondent iain watson reports. and the conservatives have blamed low turnout, saying their voters stayed at home. our political correspondent iain watson reports. two previously tory seats, two big wins for labour. keir starmer has been to visit both with big swings for his party from the conservatives in tamworth, but his first stop this morning was to celebrate his close victory in mid bedfordshire. we know that voters here have voted for us and they have put their trust and the confidence in a changed labour party and we will repay them for that trust and confidence. we do so humbly. there is no wonder keir starmer is looking so pleased with himself. before polling day campaigners here told me that it would be between a conservative hold and a historic labour victory, but now his party has overturned the biggest numerical majority at a by—election ever and in a seat w

i in mid bedfordshire, overturning the largest— in mid bedfordshire, overturning the largest numericalerturning the largest numerical majority have - in mid bedfordshire, overturning the largest numerical majority have in l largest numerical majority have in tamworth, — largest numerical majority have in tamworth, second _ largest numerical majority have in tamworth, second biggest - largest numerical majority have in tamworth, second biggest swing. largest numerical majority have in. tamworth, second biggest swing to labour— tamworth, second biggest swing to labour in _ tamworth, second biggest swing to labour in a — tamworth, second biggest swing to labour in a by—election _ tamworth, second biggest swing to labour in a by—election on - tamworth, second biggest swing to labour in a by—election on record. i labour in a by—election on record. keir stanner— labour in a by—election on record. keir starmer very— labour in a by—election on record. keir starmer very much— labour in a by—election on record. keir starmer very much hoping. labour in a by—election on record. keir starmer very m

mid bedfordshire has been conservative for decades and decades and decades. on. they are crying out for change, positive change that the labour party can bring them. positive change that a changed labour party can bring them. the prime minister claimed he was the agent of change a few weeks back. keir starmer wants to own that label too. did you allow yourself a little jig round the living room when the results came in? a couple ofjigs around the living room as both results came in! jigs and photos on a day of breezy political change. 80 miles up the road, not farfrom birmingham, tamworth in staffordshire, where this happened in the middle of the night... i do hereby declare that sarah siena edwards is duly elected. the defeated conservative candidate didn't hang about. he bolted it out of a side door while the winner gave her victory speech, leaving the prime minister, in egypt, to do the explaining. they're obviously disappointing results, not least because our candidates, festus and andrew, worked very hard and i know they'll continue to be great local cha

the other main stories tonight, the polls have just closed in two key by—elections in mid—bedfordshire tamworth in staffordshire. we'll get the latest. hundreds of homes in scotland are told to evacuate as storm babet sweeps in with warnings of landslides, severe flooding and a threat to life. and underdogs england get ready to face south africa in this weekend's semifinal clash at the rugby world cup. on bbc london, as shoplifting soars, the metropolitan police says it and on newsnight at 10:30, we'll go deeper behind the headlines and speak live to key players on today's big stories. plus, a first look what's on tomorrow's front pages. good evening. we're live injerusalem, reporting on the continuing trauma of both sides in the israel—gaza conflict. the un is warning a deal agreed yesterday to get aid into gaza, with an initial 20 lorries loaded with food, water and medicine ready to go, is inadequate. humanitarian agencies say the hope is the convoys from egypt can begin rolling tomorrow, but over 2 million people need help, as israel continues its bombing campaign, targeting member

and it's and mid—bedfordshire.e people asking is rishi sunak the right man to lead the conservatives into the next general election? i actually spoke to conservative mp ranjana warner last night crucially , she warner last night crucially, she this was just before the by—election results were announced . i asked him whether announced. i asked him whether or not rishi sunak was still the right man to lead the tories. >> i think everyone in the conservative party is united that there is no more leadership change. rishi sunak is prime change. rishi sunak is the prime minister . he change. rishi sunak is the prime minister. he the change. rishi sunak is the prime minister . he the leader. change. rishi sunak is the prime minister. he the leader. he's minister. he is the leader. he's got us into got to lead us into the election. but the important election. but the big important thing is we've got to have proper policy. proper conservative policy. we've got get on and we've actually got to get on and do that separate us

mid bedfordshire has been conservative for decades and decades and decades.out now for the one word keir starmer is rather keen on. they are crying out for change, positive change that the labour party can bring them. positive change that a changed labour party can bring them. the prime minister claimed he was the agent of change a few weeks back. keir starmer wants to own that label too. did you allow yourself a little jig round the living room when the results came in? a couple ofjigs around the living room as both results came in! jigs and photos on a day of breezy political change. 80 miles up the road, not farfrom birmingham, tamworth in staffordshire, where this happened in the middle of the night... i do hereby declare that sarah siena edwards is duly elected. the defeated conservative candidate did not hang about. he bolted it out of a side door while the winner gave her victory speech, leaving the prime minister, in egypt, to do the explaining. they are obviously disappointing results and not least because our candidates, festus and andrew, worked ve

of course, i'm talking about mid—bedfordshire. i'll bnng about mid—bedfordshire.ng up the map, by the way, because people talk about these places and assume that everybody knows where everything is. but of seat of course the seat mid—bedfordshire not mid—bedfordshire labour will not for the first in 90 years. for the first time in 90 years. of course as well. we had tamworth as well again won by laboun tamworth as well again won by labour. i'll bring up a little bit of information for you just on those different seats. if i start with tamworth , let me just start with tamworth, let me just see if i can bring up some of the stats around that so you can see what we're talking about here. yep, there you go. so tamworth course, to just tamworth of course, to just remind all, this the seat remind you all, this is the seat previously by chris pincher previously held by chris pincher before he resigned. apparently for groping men . it was a very for groping men. it was a very strong pro—leave area. this one you can see interestingly enough, there, the enough, the swing t

in mid bedfordshire, the labour candidate alstar strathen won the seat.a majority there of 1192. it is a swing from there of 1192. it is a swing from the conservatives to labour, of 20.5%. this is what keir starmer said earlier at a rally in tamworth. what you have seen here replicate what is is going on across the country, people are fed up to the back teeth with 13 years of decline under this government. they want a fresh start, they want to go forward, a positive case, with a changed labour party. laserfocussed on building our economy, rebuilding our living standard across the whole of the country, opportunities for every young person. turning on great british energy, making sure our nhses is fit for the future. these are the positive things that we can do as an incoming labour government, but this constituency has spoken now, loud and clear. no more of the tories, yes, please, to labour and there were tory voters yesterday who went to the ballot box to vote labour. and that is because... cheering and applause that is because they are fed up with the d

celebrations in mid bedfordshire... what a fantastic candidate.and then, a second celebration in tamworth... what a fantastic candidate. ..after labour overturned a conservative majority of nearly 20,000 on a swing of 23.9%. tamworth had been in tory hands since 2010. nick, how are you? i'm very well. how are you? for the winning leader, a busy morning of travel. sir keir starmer, for you it's been breakfast in mid bedfordshire. elevenses here in tamworth. presumably next on the menu for lunch is the conservative party? well, the conservative party have been on the menu in these two byelections, because what we've seen here are historic results. tamworth, where it was said we couldn't win, mid—bedfordshire where we've barely ever won, and we've turned it around. so, historic steps on a very importantjourney. have you sealed the deal with middle england or is it what david blunkett has been talking about, the next election is going to be like 196a, much closer than people think? well, everybody picks their own dates. i look forward. it's going to b

it's 727 if you're in mid—bedfordshire , you you're in mid—bedfordshire, you will be taking to the pollsection. a new mp is being sought following the resignation of the former cabinet minister, nadine dorries, which triggered a by—election >> well, the tories have held onto the seat since 1931, but could that be about to change? well our reporter will hollis has been speaking with voters in the bedfordshire town of ampthill about the issues that matter to them in the barbers of mid bedfordshire, there's only one thing worth talking about the upcoming by—election >> i voted already. you have. i did it. postal vote . did it. postal vote. >> darren's been cutting hair here for 30 years now . he wants here for 30 years now. he wants an mp that can do the same for taxes . taxes. >> vat for me is one thing that i find absolutely baffling. that's my biggest gripe . that's my biggest gripe. obviously, no one, no one minds paying obviously, no one, no one minds paying taxes because that's what we have to pay. but on a service industry like mine, i'd have to pay industry like mine, i'd have to pa

the party made history in mid bedfordshire, winning the seat for the first time.rmer said labour was "redrawing the political map" while conservative party chairman greg hands said the results were "disappointing". two people are confirmed to have been killed during a rare red weather warning in parts of scotland. some communities are inaccessible. storm babet is bringing winds of up to 70mph, torrential rain and heavy flooding that could be a threat to life. a plane arriving from corfu skidded along the runway at leeds bradford airport in wet and windy conditions. they were working with emergency services to evacuate passengers safely, and there are no reported injuries or fires. safely, and there are no reported injuries orfires. those safely, and there are no reported injuries or fires. those are some of the latest stories making the headlines in the uk. you're live with bbc news. let's return to the middle east. the israeli military say its evacuating everyone from the northern city of kiryat shmona as clashes continue with the iranian—backed hezbollah across

the party made history in mid bedfordshire, winning the seat for the first time. starmer said labour was "redrawing the political map", while tory party chairman greg hands said the results were "disappointing". two people are confirmed to have been killed and some communities are inaccessible during a rare red weather warning in scotland. storm babet is bringing winds of up to 70 miles per hour, torrential rain and heavy flooding that could be a threat to life. we'll have more on both of those stories soon. elsewhere, government borrowing in september has been lower than most economists had expected. borrowing is the difference between spending and tax income, and the office for national statistics says that was £14.3 billion last month, over 1.5 billion less than a year earlier. economists had predicted that figure to be over 18 billion. you're live with bbc news. as we've been hearing, in his televised address, president biden said he would ask us congress for billions of dollars for israel and ukraine, his speech aimed to draw a link between the two conflicts.

polls have opened for by—elections in the constituencies of mid bedfordshire and tamworth.ies in mid bedfordshire and chris pincher in tamworth after the conservative mps stood down. polling stations opened at 7am and will close at 10pm this evening, with results expected from early on friday morning. welsh water has admitted illegally spilling untreated sewage at dozens of treatment plants for years. it comes after the bbc presented the water company with analysis of its own data. you're live with bbc news. this is bbc news, speaking to you from jerusalem. we've been talking a lot today about the humanitarian crisis amongst palestinian civilians in the gaza strip. after israel tightened its siege there and has continued aerial bombardment following the unprecedented attacks on its soil on october the 7th by militants from gaza. to talk more about that, we are joined by the world health organization's regional emergency doctor. thank you so much forjoining us from cairo. you are in cairo, we've been talking today about how egypt has agreed and israel have agreed for the raf

yesterday we reported from mid bedfordshire.the future on a tuesday evening in tamworth. these are some of the dosthill courts' youngest members, but it's their parents and coaches' attention that some political players are vying for as they try to win votes. what would you like to hear from your next mp, the person that wants to represent tamworth? it's the things that matter, like safety and, like i say, the car crime and burglaries and things. and just the thefts on the street, it's quite scary. yeah, it's really scary. politicians, they say it all and when they're in power they don't always deliver. don't do it, no. so it's hard. that is obviously the ambition and that is the hope, but it's a waiting game, really, i think. yeah, wait and see. wait and see. and hope for the best. hope for the best! laughter. people living in and around the midlands market town of tamworth will soon choose a new mp — another by—election that will be closely watched for signs of how the political parties are faring. what are the issues that you

the party made history in mid bedfordshire, winning the seat for the first time.airman greg hands said the results were "disappointing". two people are confirmed to have been killed during a rare red weather warning in parts of scotland. some communities have been left inaccessible. storm babet is bringing winds of up to 70mph, torrential rain and heavy flooding that could be a threat to life. amber and yellow weather warnings are also in place across the uk. the actress haydn gwynne has died aged 66. for tv audiences she was known for roles in drop the dead donkey and the windsors. she was nominated for 0livier and tony awards for playing billy elliott's dance teacher in the west end and on broadway. she was due to return to the west end last month before being diagnosed with cancer. you're live with bbc news. the israeli military say its evacuating everyone from the northern city of kiryat shmona as clashes continue with iranian—backed hezbollah across the border with lebanon. concern is growing about israel's conflict with hamas spreading across the region. the

and mid bedfordshire. now a similar tale strathearn in alister luke labour .arty alister luke labour. party 13,872 . to yeah interesting 13,872. to yeah interesting outfit that chap was wearing there but it does seem like the tories are set for electoral oblivion. but can they somehow avoid that humiliation? is it time for the drastic measure of replacing prime minister rishi sunak? well here to answer this, i'm delighted to be joined by the former conservative mp for tiverton and honiton neil parish and denis macshane, who of course is the former labour minister for europe for fantastic shapps. the only time i ever thought i would spend a friday night with you two would be trapped in the same prison cell. but here we go. so anyway, neil, i will start with you then. is it time to get rid of rishi sunak? if the tories want any chance winning the next any chance of winning the next election, think election, well, i think that will be. >> patrick would be completely suicidal that path. suicidal if they went that path. but i think they have a hell of a challenge t

coming up next, as the conservative lives lose two seats in tamworth and mid bedfordshire party a bedfordshirehenry the sixth 18 month catatonic state in 15th century plus , does in the 15th century plus, does it take one to quango . there's help for households. are you over state pension age? if your weekly income is below £201.05, or £306.85 if you live with a partner, you could be eligible for pension credit, even if you own your home or have savings. it's worth, on average, £3,500 a year, and you could get help with heating bills and more, plus cost of living payments. >> welcome back. >> welcome back. >> last week saw two losses for the conservatives in the tamworth and mid bedfordshire by elections , while labour leader elections, while labour leader sir keir starmer has clearly been taking lessons from the playbook of that electoral success of tony blair. nothing much is being done to inspire conservative voters to turn out. instead it's complacently assumed that they will do so when it really matters at that time is already upon us. the labour party now has a tangible chance seizing po

let us look at the number, in mid bedfordshire the labour candidate won the seat with 13872 votes, itonservative majority to be overturned by labour since 1945. here is the labour leader keir starmer. , . , here is the labour leader keir starmer. , , . ., here is the labour leader keir starmer. , . ., ., starmer. this was such a hard fight, such a big majority, _ starmer. this was such a hard fight, such a big majority, it _ starmer. this was such a hard fight, such a big majority, it was _ starmer. this was such a hard fight, such a big majority, it was a - starmer. this was such a hard fight, such a big majority, it was a three i such a big majority, it was a three way fight, every single conversation, every vote that you persuaded to come across to us was work that you have done on behalf of this constituency, for a better future. and in tamworth labour's candidate won the seat by 1316 votes, this means the swing from the conservatives to labour was 23.9%, thatis conservatives to labour was 23.9%, that is the second biggest swing from the conservatives, to labour, since world war i

and you can find a list of all the candidates standing in tamworth and in mid bedfordshire on the bbc

to senior editorial managers and they're all tied up with the big by—elections in tamworth in mid bedfordshireuldn't come on the programme today. but during the recent run of conferences, the bbc parliament channel broadcast proceedings from the welsh and scottish parliaments rather than live coverage from the party conferences. and they gave us a statement about providing coverage and analysis of the party conferences across its output — "in the last month, politics live broadcast live from the conservative and labour autumn party conferences carrying the speeches of the party leaders and the chancellor and shadow chancellor in full. we have also produced special programmes around the leaders�* speeches from the liberal democrat and snp conferences. there has been a substantial amount of discussion and analysis of decisions and debate at the conferences on numerous bbc platforms, including radio and television programmes, as well as on the website." so what they're saying is across the range of output, you'll get lots of coverage about what was important from the conferences. does that satisf

we'll be hearing from mid—bedfordshire next week, but first alex forsyth reports from tamworth.it. a training session for the potential footballers of the future on a tuesday evening in tamworth. these are some of the dosthill colts�* youngest members, but it's their parents�* and coaches�* attention that some political players are vying for as they try to win votes. what would you like to hear from your next mp, the person that wants to represent tamworth? it's the things that matter, like safety and like i say, the car crime and burglaries and things and just the thefts on the street. it's quite scary. it's really scary. politicians, they say it all and then when they're in power, they don't always deliver. so it's hard that is obviously the ambition and that is the hope. but it's a waiting game really, i think. yeah. wait and see, wait and hope for the best. people living in and around the midlands market town of tamworth will soon choose a new mp, another by—election that will be closely watched for signs of how the political parties are faring. what are the issues that you

certainly the interesting result here will be what happens in mid bedfordshire where you know franklyselves. >> so, so that was nadine dorries seat and she was sitting on a majority of 24,664. i think that would be a very good knowledge . well, it might be knowledge. well, it might be a few votes out, but we have to wait and see. maybe some people voted twice, but this would be, i think, arguably the biggest voted twice, but this would be, i thinkthatjuably the biggest voted twice, but this would be, i thinkthat we've the biggest voted twice, but this would be, i thinkthat we've ever|iggest voted twice, but this would be, i thinkthat we've ever seen.t voted twice, but this would be, i thinkthat we've ever seen. so swing that we've ever seen. so you can't lose that. you know, i hope not. >> know, if we do, >> and, you know, if we do, i think it really has a real it's a real thinking point for us all. you know, compared to uxbridge, for example, if they do if you do lose both of those, do if you do lose both of those, do you still think the rishi sunakis do you still think the rishi sun

meanwhile, alastair straffen took mid—bedfordshire with a 20.5% swing.hat's the largest labour by—election win since 1945. sir keir says it's history in the making, but these are huge victories. >> these are either of these results would have been extraordinary . both together, extraordinary. both together, they are historic . look, these they are historic. look, these are seats that we've never won before or rarely won before. and we've had swings of over 20. and we've had swings of over 20. and we've now had four by elections with swings of over 20. if you take selby and rutherglen as well . so, you know, that is a well. so, you know, that is a very , very important in vesting very, very important in vesting of confidence and trust in a changed labour party . changed labour party. >> well, conservative party chairman greg hands is less impressed. he says labour's wins are not that significant . are not that significant. >> labour hardly improved their vote at all and in fact went down in mid bedfordshire slightly . but i don't think that slightly. but

meanwhile, alastair straffen took mid—bedfordshire with a 20.5% swing.hat's the largest labour by—election win since 1945. sir keir says it's history in the making, but these are huge victories. >> these are either of these results would have been extraordinary . both together, extraordinary. both together, they are historic . look, these they are historic. look, these are seats that we've never won before or rarely won before. and we've had swings of over 20. and we've had swings of over 20. and we've now had four by elections with swings of over 20. if you take selby and rutherglen as well . so, you know, that is a well. so, you know, that is a very , very important in vesting very, very important in vesting of confidence and trust in a changed labour party . changed labour party. >> well, conservative party chairman greg hands is less impressed. he says labour's wins are not that significant . are not that significant. >> labour hardly improved their vote at all and in fact went down in mid bedfordshire slightly . but i don't think that slightly. but

and you can find a list of all the candidates standing in tamworth and in mid bedfordshire on the bbcews website. time for a look at the weather. here's tomasz schafernaker. we have prepared so many weather graphics, there is so much happening over the next few days so i will launch into it. concentrate. at the moment the weather is not looking bad at all, i think for the rest of todayit bad at all, i think for the rest of today it is a case of hazy sunshine and mainly dry weather. but from mid week onwards it's looking horrible across some parts of the country and really a lot of rain on the way. the satellite picture with storm babet spinning around just to the west of portugal but the weather fronts and rain bearing clouds all the way to the north. look at this complicated weather maps over the next few days with a huge area of low pressure with a huge area of low pressure with lots of weather fronts spinning around, we will see waves of rain coming our way affecting different parts of the country at different times and actually other parts of europe as well so a thoroughly miserab

we'll be hearing from mid—bedfordshire next week, but first alex forsyth reports from tamworth.

polls have closed in two by—elections in mid bedfordshire and in tamworth in staffordshire.mps until nadine dorries and chris pincher stepped down. the results are expected in the early hours of tomorrow morning. the covid inquiry has seen text messages where rishi sunak was referred to as "dr death" by one of the government's most senior science officers. the comment was made after he launched the eat out to help out scheme in 2020. another expert, professorjohn edmunds, said encouraging people to go to restaurants had sent the wrong signal about public behaviour. the rmt union says its members — working for 14 train companies — have voted overwhelmingly to carry on with strikes in the next six months, in their dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. you're live with bbc news. the other big story we are tracking very closely on bbc news... police in scotland say a woman has died after being swept into a river in glen esk near brechin as storm babet begins battering the uk with rain and strong winds. hundreds of people are being advised to leave their homes tonight in parts o

tories suffered heavy defeats in by—election in mid—bedfordshire. biggest ever overtone at a by—election. in tamworth labour overturn a conservative majority of more than 19,000. the overturn a conservative ma'ority of more than 19,000.* overturn a conservative ma'ority of more than 19,000. the voters here have turned — more than 19,000. the voters here have turned their _ more than 19,000. the voters here have turned their back _ more than 19,000. the voters here have turned their back on _ more than 19,000. the voters here have turned their back on a - more than 19,000. the voters here have turned their back on a failed i have turned their back on a failed tory government. they've had enough of the _ tory government. they've had enough of the decline of the last 13 years and they— of the decline of the last 13 years and they are crying out for change. and in_ and they are crying out for change. and in egypt, age —— aid trucks are backed _ and in egypt, age —— aid trucks are backed up— and in egypt, age —— aid trucks are backed up waiting to enter

party's reaction to those who wins over the conservatives n the by—elections in tamworth, and mid bedfordshireo labour but the conservatives for their point have blamed the poor results on low turn out, saying their voters stayed at home. here is greg hands. irate turn out, saying their voters stayed at home. here is greg hands. we are disappointed — at home. here is greg hands. we are disappointed to _ at home. here is greg hands. we are disappointed to have _ at home. here is greg hands. we are disappointed to have lost _ at home. here is greg hands. we are disappointed to have lost both - at home. here is greg hands. we are disappointed to have lost both the . disappointed to have lost both the by—elections, we had great candidates i think we had good campaign, ithink candidates i think we had good campaign, i think the biggest problem was previous conservative voters staying at home, the turn out were very very low in both the polls, we didn't really see any increase in labour's vote. the liberal democrats didn't do well, so i think it was prince play a problem we need to find better ways

that was in tamworth and mid bedfordshire. the other issues that came up today in the prime minister's questions, again, the israel — gaza war conflict came up the israel — gaza war conflict came up as an issue, and questions from mps in the house, some of them urging the prime minister to call for a humanitarian ceasefire in gaza. the prime minister is stopped short of calling for a ceasefire, saying that he recognised israel's right to defend itself. but then, he also mentioned aid that has been coming into gaza, and today, we have news of aid that has headed towards egypt. an raf plane, we understand is on its way to egypt with 21 tonnes of humanitarian supplies for gaza. that is a statement from the ministry of defence. this is british aid heading to egypt, and it is meant to go to gaza. supplies are on board the sea 17 aircraft, include medical equipment, and water filters. it comes after the government announced that the uk was increasing its support to gaza by £30 million to meet the needs of palestinians there in the g

the polls have closed in by—elections in two key tory seats — in mid bedfordshire, where nadine dorries it is two by-elections _ what are you hearing? as you say, it is two by-elections and _ what are you hearing? as you say, it is two by-elections and they - what are you hearing? as you say, it is two by-elections and they one - is two by—elections and they one theme is that it looks like the conservative vote has collapsed. there is a view in tamworth that is a two—horse race between labour and the conservatives, a feeling in both parties that that will be enough to get labour over the line, quite something. chris pincher had a majority ofjust over 19,000 at the 2019 election so labour would be very pleased although they did hold that until 2010. in mid bedfordshire if you ask the party is what will happen they say we do not know and the reason for that is it is a rare by—election where both labour and the lib dems have been the challenger party. it looks like the labour vote is holding up in the times in bedfordshire but the liberal democrats say they have been switching conservative