of somerton and frome are sending - somerton and frome are sending a message _ somerton and frome areehalf— somerton and frome are sending a message in behalf of— somerton and frome are sending a message in behalf of the _ somerton and frome are sending a message in behalf of the country. message in behalf of the country tonight— message in behalf of the country tonight to — message in behalf of the country tonight to rishi _ message in behalf of the country tonight to rishi sunak _ message in behalf of the country tonight to rishi sunak and - message in behalf of the country tonight to rishi sunak and he - message in behalf of the country. tonight to rishi sunak and he could be tonight to rishi sunak and he could he the _ tonight to rishi sunak and he could he the first— tonight to rishi sunak and he could be the first conservative _ tonight to rishi sunak and he could be the first conservative prime - be the first conservative prime minister— be the first conservative prime minister in _ be the first conservative prime minister in history— be the first conservative prime minister in

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 ca

and froome — tonight, if we do in somerton and froome it — tonight, if we do in somerton and froome.liament. we will _ difference to the next parliament. we will put this to the serve mp when me get him. —— conservative mp when me get him. —— conservative mp when he get him. he is stuck in traffic. the christine, you have benefitted, some argue, in somerton from the low profile of the greens and labour party, some suggestion they are not trying hard. do you think the back door co—operation is what you need more generally? i110. think the back door co—operation is what you need more generally? ha. i what you need more generally? no, i think what we — what you need more generally? no, i think what we have _ what you need more generally? no, i think what we have seen _ what you need more generally? no, i think what we have seen in _ what you need more generally? no, i think what we have seen in somerton is people _ think what we have seen in somerton is people who voted conservatives all is people who voted conservatives att their— is people who voted conservatives all their lives are f

they were confident— somerton and frome.t of this campaign, so complacency was really— of this campaign, so complacency was really their— of this campaign, so complacency was really their only enemy. but so confident— really their only enemy. but so confident were they that before midnight last night, they had claimed — midnight last night, they had claimed victory, and they did succeed _ claimed victory, and they did succeed in overturning a 19,000 vote majority— succeed in overturning a 19,000 vote majority that the conservatives had herer _ majority that the conservatives had here, and _ majority that the conservatives had here, and taking back seat that was represented by the lib dems for many years before they were wiped out in this region — years before they were wiped out in this region after years in coalition government with the conservatives in 2015. government with the conservatives in 2015 so _ government with the conservatives in 2015. so what is it down to? well, the liberal— 2015. so what is it down to? well,

i’m can win in somerton & frome. i'm really starting _ can win in somerton & frome.we achieve here is nothing short of spectacular. the trend was clear, even before last night, but now it is certain. the liberal democrats are back in the west country. cheering after these elections, labour are one up on the conservatives, the lib dems are as well. but the tories have been spared the 3—0 thrashing many predicted. chris mason, bbc news, selby. more from chris later. but what could the by—election results mean ahead of the next general election? 0ur political correspondent, leila nathoo, takes a look. a dramatic set of results all round — but what are the lessons for the conservatives, labour and the liberal democrats? let's look at each seat in more detail. in selby and ainsty labour overturned their largest ever majority at a by—election, picking up 46% of total votes. this was a seat way down labour's target list, that the tories have held since its creation. here labour outperformed their current lead in opinion polls. the party secured a 23.7% percent swing away fr

so i think somerton and frome.r worried about their fragile majorities this morning. >> if you were a betting man, how many seats do you think that they that the lib dems will get come election down here this come the election down here this way? i'm not a betting man, but when i was first able to vote in 1997, you could walk from saint ives to frome on lib dem held territory. >> and i think we're definitely going to see something of a resurgence for the liberal democrats here in the west country. >> so the punishment that the lib dems received in 2015, the real pushback against nick clegg and the coalition . do you think and the coalition. do you think voters down here have now forgotten that? do you think they've moved on from that? >> i think voters who were >> well, i think voters who were talking to me on on doorsteps here when i was out knocking on doors and also in my own patch in east devon and mid devon, they're telling me that of recent years, they feel that the conservatives have mismanaged the economy a

now here in somerton and frome what the — parliament. now here in somerton and frome.frome. what the party hopes in claiming now— frome. what the party hopes in claiming now is— frome. what the party hopes in claiming now is that _ frome. what the party hopes in claiming now is that it's- frome. what the party hopes in claiming now is that it's back. frome. what the party hopes inj claiming now is that it's back on form _ claiming now is that it's back on form in — claiming now is that it's back on form in the _ claiming now is that it's back on form in the west _ claiming now is that it's back on form in the west country. - claiming now is that it's back on form in the west country. this i claiming now is that it's back onl form in the west country. this is claiming now is that it's back on . form in the west country. this is a former— form in the west country. this is a former heartland _ form in the west country. this is a former heartland for— form in the west country. this is a former heartland for the _ form in the west country. this is a former heartland for the

there was a spectacular victory for the liberal democrats in somerton and frome.vote. the fourth by—election win for the lib dems since 2021, continuing the trend of slowly reversing their post—coalition wipe—out, this time in their former heartland of the south west. with a swing of 29% here, the party now says it's targeting 15 other seats in the region with smaller majorities and are confident of an electoral comeback. the polling expert professor sir john curtice says the results across the board show the tories are in a deep electoral hole. the conservative vote is down by 21 points, it's very similar to the 18—point drop that the opinion polls are registering. this is a party that faces a very substantial challenge to restore its fortunes between now and the general election. in uxbridge and south ruislip though, labour and the tories were pretty much neck and neck on share of the vote. the tories there at 45%, labour on 44%. both parties say the contest went the tories�* way because of a local issue — the expansion of london's ultra low emission zone. there

and finally to the west country — to somerton and frome.her big hall — the bath and west showground, soon to be full of ballot boxes and lots of bits of paper. the counters look like they are making the most of it before it gets rather noisy later on. another conservative seat until recently — and another where they feel vulnerable. they feel vulnerable in three places tonight. thank you for that. we will hear more from you a little bit later. well, the results of the by—elections are expected in the early hours, and my colleague, jo coburn, will be following all the twists and turns throughout the night on bbc one. i hope you have plenty of coffee to keep you going! i i hope you have plenty of coffee to keep you going!— i hope you have plenty of coffee to keep you going! i have, don't worry, and for all of — keep you going! i have, don't worry, and for all of the _ keep you going! i have, don't worry, and for all of the guests. _ keep you going! i have, don't worry, and for all of the guests. this - keep you going! i have, don't worry, and

similarly, the liberal democrat win in somerton will also make tory mp5 in somerton will also make toryare about. rishi sunak was quick out of the traps this morning, heading to axbridge to congratulate the candidate, steve tuckwell, who won. —— in uxbridge. he said this was down to ulez, the new mp. he didn�*t mention the prime minister. new mp. he didn't mention the prime minister. . �* new mp. he didn't mention the prime minister. , �* ., , minister. yes, he didn't attribute his success _ minister. yes, he didn't attribute his success to _ minister. yes, he didn't attribute his success to the _ minister. yes, he didn't attribute his success to the conservatives. j his success to the conservatives. the absence of the prime minister in that campaign has been notable. and even the lack of the conservative brand in the literature. one senior conservative told me earlier that cchq and the conservative campaign generally had made a bad situation worse. there is a fear that the campaign itself didn�*t do much to make up for what was looking like a bad national picture for the conservatives

earlier, the lib dems were celebrating in somerton and frome.ory for them in a seat that had been conservative. their candidate saying it showed her party was back in the west country. 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. but look at this, in the west london seat of uxbridge in south ruislip, it went down to the wire. votes had to be re—counted before it was announced the conservatives had clung on. and i hereby declare that the said steve tuckwell is duly elected. cheering perhaps a surprise for some in boris johnson's former seat. the tories put their victory down to their campaign against the labour mayor of london's plan to expand the ultra low emission zone where drivers are charged if vehicles don't meet certain standards. sadiq khan has lost to labour this election in his... cheering and we know that it was his damaging and costly ulez policy that lost them this election. so now time for the parties and pundits

they can just about explain away somerton and frome . yes, it was somerton and frome.the lib dems did throw everything they've got at everything that they've got at this and the lib this by—election and the lib dems are famous for doing well in elections. with these in by elections. with these elections come in the elections that come in the middle cycle, can middle of the cycle, can stituents prepared put in middle of the cycle, can st sort1ts prepared put in middle of the cycle, can st sort of prepared put in middle of the cycle, can stsort of protestpared put in middle of the cycle, can st sort of protest vote. put in middle of the cycle, can st sort of protest vote. theyrt in a sort of protest vote. they know that the government isn't going change so they can vote going to change so they can vote for one of the smaller parties. they that lib they don't think that the lib dems an election, but dems will win an election, but it's having dem mp. it's worth having a lib dem mp. so what the tories will so that's what the tories will be this morning. the big be saying th

the win in somerton and freedom in itself is i somerton and freedom in itself is historic.ou expect will be the key issues in _ of power. what do you expect will be the key issues in a _ of power. what do you expect will be the key issues in a general _ of power. what do you expect will be the key issues in a general election l the key issues in a general election and are you ready to meet them? it is always hard to guess what the exact fault lines of an election will be because so much can change between now and then but i cannot see anything getting better on cost of living under this government and it is clear waiting lists in the nhs are getting bigger. people still struggle to see a gp, they cannot see a dentist. these issues have been with us a long time and are becoming more acute. i imagine cost of living and nhs crisis will be the top issues at an election and the lib dems will set out plans on how to tackle those in due course. we have been leading that battle of ideas as the first party to oppose the windfall tax on the party calling for 8000 more gps and this is

most people _ club, somerton tennis club.cally. i also went to _ both nationally and locally. i also went to a — both nationally and locally. i also went to a coffee morning in a large viiiage _ went to a coffee morning in a large village called martock. i went to a university— village called martock. i went to a university of the third age meeting, where _ university of the third age meeting, where they were hearing about climate — where they were hearing about climate change gardening. that's where _ climate change gardening. that's where people wanted to talk to me about _ where people wanted to talk to me about the _ where people wanted to talk to me about the cost of living, buses, housing — about the cost of living, buses, housing in— about the cost of living, buses, housing. in fact, the quote that will stick— housing. in fact, the quote that will stick with me as a woman who said to _ will stick with me as a woman who said to me. — will stick with me as a woman who said to me, "what has happened to this green— said to

the lib dems won somerton and frome in somerset.stituency. he said the public had sent a powerful message to the conservative party. labour's vote share was down over 10% in somerton and frome. it did help the liberal democrats. and the liberal democrat leader also said that some labour supporters had lent them their votes. but the tories did hold onto boris johnson's votes. but the tories did hold onto borisjohnson's former votes. but the tories did hold onto boris johnson's former constituency of uxbridge in south ruislip in west london. that is despite a swing there of 6.7% to labour. the tories managed to capitalise on local anger over the planned expansion of the ultralow emission zone two outer london. under labour mayor sadiq khan. winning the seat by 495 votes. it's the local mp steve, the conservative saying that was the key issue, not mentioning the government or the prime minister. plenty more to come on those by—election results. now, time for a look at the weather. the weather may have a part to play if you have outdoor

somerton big stronghold. so in somerton they very well in they also do very well in by elections.lections. so the tories can sort about explain away sort of just about explain away that loss. in selby that somerton loss. but in selby , overturning a 20,000 tory majority , that feels as though majority, that feels as though that's where the momentum is. that's where that's where the country is looking. they are looking towards labour and i think we can expect keir starmer to be sounding pretty victorious this morning. >> and of course the tory mp , >> and of course the tory mp, they're effectively going off in a huff after not getting his his peerage from boris johnson. but rishi sunak today in number ten, mulling through all these issues, has he got a bit of time in that? we are now of course in the parliamentary recess so perhaps we haven't got those panicking backbenchers that we're on him. we're putting pressure on him. he's got weeks to try and he's got a few weeks to try and unsettle the ship. if >> well, i think it's a bit of a mixed bag for rishi sunak in that respect. yes,

and judging by the reaction in somerton today , voters just in somerton today, voters just aren't inoody, gb news and the full list of candidates standing in that summer, somerton and frome parliamentary by—election is as follows. >> lorna corke for the christian people's alliance. martin demery for the green party . sara joanne for the green party. sara joanne . for the liberal democrats. bruce david evans for reform uk and neil guild for labour. >> also a rosie mitchell standing as an independent. faye purbrick conservative live. peter richardson for the uk independence party and of course we'll keep you updated on all those by elections this week with full results and reports on friday, bbc bosses will be questioned in parliament this afternoon on the adequacy of the corporation's leadership . corporation's leadership. >> it's after presenter huw edwards was suspended over a series of allegations, including paying series of allegations, including paying a young person for explicit images. >> what can we expect from today's hearing? let's get more with our national reporter paul ha

we had than somerton and frome was.on by—election victory with tiverton and honiton. we had great council election votes, we had and honiton. we had great council el believe >tes, we had and honiton. we had great council el believe that we had and honiton. we had great council el believe that people across the to believe that people across the west country, cornwall, devon, somerset, wiltshire and so on, they are turning to the liberal somerset, wiltshire and so on, they are turning to the liberé in this as the party best placed in this part of our country to defeat the conservatives. and as part of our country to defeat the conservatives. a— part of our country to defeat the conservatives. a speaks for them. weight ed davey, the leader— -- - speaks for them. weight ed davey, the leader_ -- ed | are celebrating this morning —— ed davey. coming in this morningour political correspondent ione wells. corre have ient ione wells. corre have they one wells. corre have they been iells. corre have they been saying today? there

and finally to the west country — to somerton and frome.he bath and west showground, soon to be full of ballot boxes and lots of bits of paper. the counters look like they are making the most of it before it gets rather noisy later on. another conservative seat until recently — and another where they feel vulnerable. conservatives feel vulnerable in three places tonight. the pentagon has been releasing more details of the soldier who entered north korea — but it seems there's an awful lot they don't know. private travis king went through the demilitarised zone on tuesday. he had been due to fly back to the us to face a disciplinary hearing — but managed to avoid boarding the plane. pentagon spokesperson sabrina singh gave this update. so in terms of the escorting to the plane, this was someone that was going as private king, i should say, was going from one duty station. he was leaving a deployment and going back and returning home to his home base or his home station. so when he was escorted all the way up, he was they were only able to es

ulez, in somerton and fromed win.it was a and selby and ainsty, it was a very story labour very different story with labour and dems overturning big and the lib dems overturning big conservative majorities . let's conservative majorities. let's go first to our reporter paul hawkins , who spent the day in hawkins, who spent the day in the seat of uxbridge and south ruislip. of course, this was bofis ruislip. of course, this was boris johnson's seat before. here's had say. here's what he had to say. >> like the other two by >> i like the other two by elections. this one was all about one local issue trumping voters potential desire to give the government of the day a kicking. and that is ulez , which kicking. and that is ulez, which means ultra low emission zone. it's the charge, the daily charge £12.50 for high polluting vehicles that travel in the centre of london. the london mayor, sadiq khan, wants to extend that zone to the outer boroughs of london, including where hillingdon so all where we are. hillingdon so all t

christine, in somerton and frome, must be delighted .lly the first time since the mid 90 is that an opposition party has won for our by elections in the course of one parliament. and that was the liberal democrats under paddy ashdown. it was the start of a very successful period and we think this will be too, because as we saw in tiverton and honiton in rural areas, life long conservatives are now voting liberal democrat because they don't like what the conservatives are doing , but conservatives are doing, but they want something done , they want something done, something done about the lack of gps and about public services. >> but do they like what you're doing? christine i ask that because you have got this great result there. but it's as a result there. but it's as a result of tactical voting. so ed davey, your party leader, has admitted that today in the observer . it's also as admitted that today in the observer. it's also as a admitted that today in the observer . it's also as a result observer. it's also as a result of low turnou

the liberal democrats won the somerton and frome seat from the conservative by more than 11,000 voteservatives narrowly held off labour by a95 votes to hold former prime minister, boris johnson's seat of uxbridge and south ruislip in london. 0ur correspondent vincent mcaviney has the story of the night. for the first time in 11 years, three by—election ballots were being counted on the same night across england. all three of these constituencies were won by the conservatives at the 2019 general election, but two were triggered as a result of boris johnson's fall from office. in west london, the former prime stood down from his seated at aspirin and west row slip. the conservatives held on with a majority cut from 7210 to just 495. —— uxbridge and south ruislip. the conservative _ uxbridge and south ruislip. tue: conservative party uxbridge and south ruislip. tte: conservative party candidate, 13,961. ' conservative party candidate, 13,961. ~ ,, 13,961. their new mp, steve tuckwell, — 13,961. their new mp, steve tuckwell, cited _ 13,961. their new mp, steve tuckwell, cited a _ 13,961.

and ainsty, in borisjohnson 5 old west london consituency of uxbridge and south ruislip, and in somertonrmer mp there, had faced allegations of sexual misconduct, but the claims have since been dropped, and a parliamentary panel has closed its investigation. 0ur political editor, chris mason, has visited all three constituencies, and reports now, from somerton and frome. this contest here in somerset is an insight into a crucial tussle come the next general election. a tussle between the conservatives and the liberal democrats. yes, labour and the greens and others are contesting this seat too but it's clear who the front runners are. the by—election has come about after the resignation of the guy who was elected as conservative mp after allegations of sexual misconduct and drug—taking. he admitted taking cocaine but denies sexual wrongdoing. and the south—west of england for so long was a real heartland for the liberal democrats, but they were near wiped out after their years in coalition with the conservatives at westminster. they now feel chipper again, but there is one big question.

that's what happens certainly in somerton shropshire and somerton in north shropshire and in the torieson. how do the tories woo those people back? because going issues going harder on the eco issues won't going harder on won't land well, going harder on immigration land immigration perhaps won't land well what something like well, what about something like the , though? the inheritance tax, though? let's are older, let's face it, these are older, more people in places more affluent people in places with property can more affluent people in places with be property can more affluent people in places with be bribed�*perty can more affluent people in places with be bribed ?arty can they be bribed? >> i suspect they probably can. i mean, the conservatives have got to fight on two fronts, haven't they? the red wall and the blue wall. and as you say, there's plenty of people in the south of england, particularly , south of england, particularly, who may not have that much disposable income, but are sitting on a lot of money in their houses and really, really , really don't want their or their

the lib dems in somerton and frome overturned a tory majority of more than 19,000.untry where labour can't win, than the conservatives could face a nasty pincer movement from the opposition parties come the next election. from the opposition parties come what we achieved here is nothing short of spectacular. the trend was clear even before last night, but now it is certain. the liberal democrats are back in the west country. big lib dem by—election victories have almost become commonplace these days. the sun is shining on us. the conservatives believe they still have a narrow path to victory at the next election, but these latest results could be the political equivalent of the hazard warning sign bearing the legend "road narrows". iain watson, bbc news. michael fabricant is conservative member of parliament for lichfield where hejoins me from now. welcome. thank you for being with us. two huge losses for the conservative party. how bad is it do you think? conservative party. how bad is it do ou think? ~ , ., ., you think? well, is not good and i exected you think?

but today we're in the west country seat of somerton and frome in somerset.burton who had won the seat three times for the conservatives. he stood down following an investigation by parliamentary authorities into claims of sexual harassment. live now to frome and my colleague lewis vaughanjones. thank you for that, welcome to frome, in bloom here. we come to a very interesting venue here in frame. this is at the cheese and grain, and sir paul mccartney played in here last year on his way to glastonbury. there are rehearsals going on right now, not paul mccartney. just a little flavour of what is going on, that is frome college music department rehearsals and they are performing here later this evening, tickets are available i am told. we are going to get onto the politics because this is a crucial battle. with me is labour's neil guild. great to see you. the conservatives here, a huge majority, the liberal democrats in second place, labour, it is an uphill struggle. place, labour, it is an uphill struggle-— place, labour, it is an uphill strunle_ . ., ., ~' .

we finish our trio of reports in somerton and frome. 70 years ago today bbc television entered the world of science fiction with the quatermass experiement. actor mark gatiss visits alexandra palace from where it was broadcast live. the idea that their lives serial was donein the idea that their lives serial was done in these two rooms, including the front of a house and a crushed rocket, is amazing. we'll be speaking to writer and historian toby hadoke about what the quatermass serials did for tv. good evening. we begin tonight with another chapter in northern ireland's political history, one which has generated huge division and emotion on the floor of the house of commons today. mps voted to reject an attempt by peers to remove the contentious immunity provision from the northern ireland troubles bill, the bill is an effort to resolve legacy and reconciliation issues by granting an amnesty from prosecution for those who are prepared to publicly admit their role in past violence. the majority of cases of deaths of people killed during

held their london seat of uxbridge and is south ryswyk, with a conservative majority of 19,000 in somerton and gloom. 25—year—old is now parliament must youngest mp. he has been nicknamed the house after winning his seat in north yorkshire for the labour party. it was a previously tories save seat. england goalkeeper maria observes it is hurtful and can't buy a replica of her goalkeeper shirt. can't buy a replica of her goalkeepershirt. she can't buy a replica of her goalkeeper shirt. she only found out when the outfit kit went on sale. it has been reported for producing women was my goalkeeper kits for the public is not part of nikkei was my plans. some other stories now. earlier this week the bbc reported dozens of abuse allegations at mcdonald's. the uk mcdonald's boss said the claims are personally and professionally shocking however current and former workers have said it is too little, too late. and get your popcorn ready because barbenheimer weekend is here. audiences across the country will be heading to the cinema to see barbie and oppenheimer, two very different and highly antici

bbc news website, and in the coming days we ll be taking a look at the other two by—elections that somerton court later where the defending champion novak djokovic needs just one set to reach the quarter—finals. monday may signal a new beginning or fans a fresh start but centre court fans today are delighted there is one unfinished job from sunday night. last night when the match did not finish we thought we would last night when the match did not finish we thougi excited uld last night when the match did not finish we thougi excited toi last night when the match did not finish we thougi excited to see novak so we are super excited to see novak djokovic. we so we are super excited to see novak d'okovic. ~ ., , ., , so we are super excited to see novak djokovic. he's _ so we are super excited to see novak djokovic.- he's been _ so we are super excited to see novak djokovic.- he's been slotted - so we are super excited to see novak djokovic. we he's been slotted in. a saw the ball, he's been slotted in. you see _ saw the ball, he's been slotted in. you see the — saw the ball, he's been slotte

and the tory chairman was quick to point out that labour had lost its deposit in somerton and frome.rise of the liberal democrat vote there at the same time as the labour one in selby spell double trouble for the conservatives? let's start tonight then with nick in north yorkshire, scene of that 23% swing to labour. bells toll the tranquil rhythm of a summer's day. but in these lanes, a quiet revolution — a victory for labour in tory country. applause a celebratory walk for the leader, introducing his young name sake to the nation. it's the first time ever i have been able to say, well done keir! and the warrior against complacency unable to hide his delight. it's fair to say that when this by—election was called, most people said labour doesn't have a chance to get near a 20,000 tory majority. and so the fact that we have i think shows the tide is turning. the tide's gone out a long way on the tory party and the predominant cry from selby and ainsty is they want change. i think that's reflected across the country. but we need to earn every vote for go for. but this is a very big ste

and frome, of course , somerton and frome, of course, is a is a is a somerton and frome, of course,clear is that the gigafactory will definitely be in the uk and will probably be in somerton and frome not to throw cold water at all. on geoff's excellent reporting there, but there may still be some wiggle room about the price precise location. who knows, maybe tata want to extract some more concessions from particular regions of the uk. >> and what was so attractive about this particular location ? about this particular location? >> well, it's because as we've been saying and as jeff was saying , it's been quite saying, it's been quite depressed for a while . well, and depressed for a while. well, and also the communications are pretty good . you're you're near pretty good. you're you're near the coast, so you can export so there are many, many reasons, though, of course , as you as you though, of course, as you as you say, pip, the midlands and the nonh say, pip, the midlands and the north east are the kind of agglomerations of car making in the uk. and when you have a agglomeration

but today we're in the west country seat of somerton and frome in somerset.lewis vaughanjones. hello, thank you for that. welcome to frome, this is the main road through this market town, this constituency is made up of market towns like this but also plenty of rural areas as well, and farming. a5 rural areas as well, and farming. as you mentioned, it has been really the story of the conservatives throughout the nikola's history, at the last three elections as it has gone to the conservatives —— back the constituency�*s history. at the last election and 19,000 majority, big number in terms of a candidate majority. the candidate got 35% of the vote, its nearest rival lib dems on second just 26% or so. you can see the gap. this has been for the last few elections solidly conservative. then it was held by the lib dems before that, before that again conservatives. so that's why it's such an interesting battle, this one. if the conservatives can hold off the challenge from the liberal democrats. well, the candidate hasn't had long to settle in here and get campaig

one in selby and somerton either. and why are they not putting their arguments in front of people at the polls so that people can vote for them and then we can decide what level of support they've actually got? so that's a good daniel. you a very good point, daniel. you know, this is what they're trying to do is a tiny number of people who i think are nutty. i mean, think they've become mean, i think they've become completely point completely obsessed to the point of irrational behaviour. tiny completely obsessed to the point of irraticofl behaviour. tiny completely obsessed to the point of irraticof peopleiour. tiny completely obsessed to the point of irraticof people trying tiny completely obsessed to the point of irraticof people trying to 1y completely obsessed to the point of irraticof people trying to force number of people trying to force their other others and their views on other others and i don't think that deserves praise for being brave. i think thatis praise for being brave. i think that is actually on t

but today we're in the west country seat of somerton and frome in somerset. david warburton who had won the seat three times for the conservatives. he stood down following an investigation by parliamentary authorities into claims of sexual harassment. live now to frome, and my colleague lewis vaughan—jones. hello. so, i'm sure preparations are well in place for thursday.— well in place for thursday. that's absolutely _ well in place for thursday. that's absolutely right. _ well in place for thursday. that's absolutely right. welcome - well in place for thursday. that's absolutely right. welcome to - well in place for thursday. that's - absolutely right. welcome to frome. just to tell you where we are, the main shopping streets are just over there in the distance. just here is there in the distance. just here is the river frome gently meandering through the town. the conservative party have won the last few elections here, as he said. the majority stands at 19,000, a considerable conservative majority. but now everything is up for grabs with this by—election.

but it could have been worse because up in up, down in somerton , down in up, down in somerton, downy lost 19,000. yes. and up in selby and ainsty , they and up in selby and ainsty, they lost by 20,000. and these are this is these huge turnaround. so the key thing about this daily mail coverage is they're saying you've got to be more conservative, go true blue, that's going to save you next time. >> yeah. nick, is it the case that rishi tory party isn't really a tory party >> yeah, of course it's. everyone knows that the socialist party, they're eco socialist . socialist. >> socialist party? >> a socialist party? >> a socialist party? >> a few people who >> yeah. with a few people who are cool, my mate, lord are cool, like my mate, lord frost. he's been on my podcast and throwing in. he's and just throwing that in. he's here this is bad and here saying that this is bad and you know, of course he's saying they to learn from this and they need to learn from this and they need to learn from this and the of basic the sort of basic overall feeling one, there's bit of feeling is one, there

labourare is an ally, nigel adams, also in somerton.n uxbridge, also trying if they can to challenge the tories in selby, i think the liberal democrats have their eyes on the ones in somerton. the other one that is a big question about at the moment which hasn't yet been triggered but could potentially be is the seat of mid—bedfordshire where nadine dorries is currently the mp. she had of course it a few weeks ago that she would be resigning as an mp with immediate effect. howevershe resigning as an mp with immediate effect. however she hasn't actually resigned yet, meaning there isn't actually a date or possible by—election that we have for that seat yet, so if mps endorse this report and the sanction of it. that would probably trigger another by—election in tamworth. the conservatives would certainly feel the heat on this particularly because of the background of how we got here as outlined in this report. thank you. we will let you go, i know you have a lot of report reading ahead of you. i should say just looking at our bbc news web

of uxbridge and south ruislip, while the lib dems overturned a conservative majority of 19,000 in somerton frome in somerset in south west england. and 25—year—old keir mather is now parliament's youngest mp. he has been nicknamed the �*baby of the house�* after winning his seat in north yorkshire for the labour party by over 4,000 votes. it was a previously a tory safe seat and mather said he understood the enormity of what has just happened. england goalkeeper mary earps says it is hurtful fans can't buy a replica of her nike goalkeeper shirt. earps says she wasn't told her kit wouldn't be available to the public and only found out when the outfield kit went on sale. it has been reported that producing women's goalkeeper kits for the public is not part of nike's plans. some other stories now. earlier this week, the bbc reported on dozens of abuse allegations at mcdonald's. the uk mcdonald's boss said the claims are personally and professionally shocking. however, current and former workers have said it is too little, too late. and get your popcorn ready because barbenheimer weekend is he

selby and ainsty whilst the liberal democrats took somerton and frome both overturning majorities ofund 20,000. rishi sunak says he plans to deliver for the people. westminster has been acting like the next election is a done deal i >> -- >> the labour party has been acting like it's a done deal. the people of uxbridge just told all of them that it's not st mid—term by elections are rarely easy incumbent governments. easy for incumbent governments. these are no different. and look , the reality is the circumstances of these byelections from byelections are far from favourable . all reminder favourable. all it's a reminder to politicians that we need to focus on matters to people focus on what matters to people and be distracted what's and not be distracted by what's going westminster. going on in westminster. >> but labour leader sir keir starmer says people want to see change. >> you voted for change, you put your trust in the labour party and we hear you . we hear that and we hear you. we hear that “y and we hear you. we hear that cry for change away from the chaos, away from those

as an opportunity just them down in somerton as an opp(the1ity just them down in somerton as an opp(t them down in somerton as an opp(the south west, just them down in somerton as an opp(the south west, but just them down in somerton as an opp(the south west, but alljust them down in somerton as an opp(the south west, but all the into the south west, but all the other places where they used to be competitive. and for labour. there's i think, to there's two things i think, to take away from that. one is that lots people are grumpy lots of people really are grumpy at looking at the government and looking for but as we for an alternative. but as we saw uxbridge, they haven't saw in uxbridge, they haven't yet decided they definitely want to labour in every to vote for labour in every opportunity. what opportunity. so let's see what happens. she goes, happens. but steady as she goes, probably labour, they must probably for labour, they must be very, confident. be feeling very, very confident. >> to see you >> okay, mark, good to see you this morning. thanks much this morning. thanks very

selby and ainsty whilst the liberal democrats took somerton and frome both overturning majorities ofund 20,000. rishi sunak says he plans to deliver for the people. westminster has been acting like the next election is a done deal i >> -- >> the labour party has been acting like it's a done deal. the people of uxbridge just told all of them that it's not st mid—term by elections are rarely easy incumbent governments. easy for incumbent governments. these are no different. and look , the reality is the circumstances of these byelections from byelections are far from favourable . all reminder favourable. all it's a reminder to politicians that we need to focus on matters to people focus on what matters to people and be distracted what's and not be distracted by what's going westminster. going on in westminster. >> but labour leader sir keir starmer says people want to see change. >> you voted for change, you put your trust in the labour party and we hear you . we hear that and we hear you. we hear that “y and we hear you. we hear that cry for change away from the chaos, away from those

but today we're in the west country seat of somerton and frome in somerset.d by the resignation of david warburton who had won the seat three times for the conservatives. he stood down following an investigation by parliamentary authorities into claims of sexual harassment. live now to frome and my colleague lewis vaughanjones. we lewis vaughan jones. are we lewis vaughanjones. are on the rather pretty cheé street we are on the rather pretty cheap street in the heart of frome and you will see this running water, the challenges for the camera operator to not fall in as we try to cross. we are going to speak to some of the candidates. we are going to speak to the candidate from the green party. thanks forjoining us. a few days out from polling day on thursday and you have been speaking to people, what are the kind of things they are saying? we what are the kind of things they are sa in: ? ~ . . , saying? we are getting a very ositive saying? we are getting a very positive response _ saying? we are getting a very positive response and - saying? we are getting a

somerton and frome, again, the huge result that the lib dems were able to overturn, it is quite significantws perhaps the liberal democrats are on the march now in the west country after having lost many of their seats in 2015. i think the conservatives retaining uxbridge is a bit of a mixed pics rishi sunak's conservative support that campaign on one issue which is the ultra low emission zone. it is more of a local campaign. perhaps it is significant for what the labour's campaign is in london but not more broadly. lets talk more about _ london but not more broadly. lets talk more about that significant loss for labour in south rysel it, they hoped and thought they could clinch that seat. they have never won it before, only a 7000 majority they needed to overturn that the tories only won by 495. what does it say about the wider messaging of the labour party, that they didn't manage to win it? it labour party, that they didn't manage to win it?— labour party, that they didn't manage to win it? it is complicated because it is _ manage to win it? it is complicated because it is a _ manage to

they've all somerton and frome.n 2019. a constituents , though, 2019. a constituents, though, are being reminded to bring photographic id with them . now photographic id with them. now here's one for you. police are searching for a female lion suspected to be on the loose on the outskirts of berlin. several sightings were reported last night by members of the public who believed they'd seen big who believed they'd seen a big cat chasing a wild boar. police believe animal is an escaped believe the animal is an escaped pet as no official facility have reported a missing lion and they think it could now be in one of the many lakeland forests in brandenburg state , residents are brandenburg state, residents are being told to stay indoors until it is found. so the hunt continues and five whale sharks have been rescued after becoming trapped in fishing nets in ocean waters off the coast of indonesia and papua new guinea . indonesia and papua new guinea. underwater footage can show the divers cutting away the nets and guid

but it could have been worse because up in up, down in somerton , down in up, down in somerton, downy lost 19,000. yes. and up in selby and ainsty , they and up in selby and ainsty, they lost by 20,000. and these are this is these huge turnaround. so the key thing about this daily mail coverage is they're saying you've got to be more conservative, go true blue, that's going to save you next time. >> yeah. nick, is it the case that rishi tory party isn't really a tory party >> yeah, of course it's. everyone knows that the socialist party, they're eco socialist . socialist. >> socialist party? >> a socialist party? >> a socialist party? >> a few people who >> yeah. with a few people who are cool, my mate, lord are cool, like my mate, lord frost. he's been on my podcast and throwing in. he's and just throwing that in. he's here this is bad and here saying that this is bad and you know, of course he's saying they to learn from this and they need to learn from this and they need to learn from this and the of basic the sort of basic overall feeling one, there's bit of feeling is one, there

voters are casting ballots in the southwestern tory stronghold of somerton, boris johnson's old seatwest london suburb, and in north yorkshire. the chairman of the commons defense committee is facing a no-confidence motion after he tweeted a video praising the taliban and describing afghanistan as transformed under taliban rule. he has since said that he got it wrong, he has apologized, and deleted the clip. the leader of the house of commons has announced the state opening of parliament and king's speech will now be on november 7. it will be the first king's speech given by king charles as monarch, although he gave the king's speech in 2022 on behalf of queen elizabeth. he will announce the government's legislative program for the following year. you are live with bbc news. the boss of one of britain's biggest banks has apologized to the former u.k. independence party leader, nigel farage, after a row about why his bank account was closed. the chief executive at natwest says comments made about him were deeply appropriate. mr. farage sayhis account has been closed because of his pol

bbc news website, and in the coming days we ll be taking a look at the other two by—elections that somertonnd frome — all crucial measures of public opinion. to wimbledon and all eyes will be on centre court later where the defending champion novak djokovic needs just one set to reach the quarter—finals. monday may signal a new beginning or fans a fresh start but centre court fans today are delighted there is one unfinished job from sunday night. last night when the match did not finish we thought we would last night when the match did not finish we thougi excited uld last night when the match did not finish we thougi excited toi last night when the match did not finish we thougi excited to see novak so we are super excited to see novak djokovic. we so we are super excited to see novak d'okovic. ~ ., , ., , so we are super excited to see novak djokovic- he's _ so we are super excited to see novak djokovic.- he's been _ so we are super excited to see novak djokovic.- he's been slotted - so we are super excited to see novak djokovic. we he's been slotted in. a saw the ball, he's been slotted

selby and somerton, khan.seats with big conservative majorities, both parts of the blue wall and yes , parts of the blue wall and yes, it it looks pretty likely that the conservatives could lose them, too. now, why is that ? them, too. now, why is that? again, labour is polling at just 20 points ahead and in somerton, the lib dems are really , really the lib dems are really, really closing in on the concern gives somerton was yes it's been a conservative seat for a long time now. but looking back into into sort of more ancient history the lib dems had had a stronghold and they have been throwing their resources throwing all of their resources at that somerton seat in recent weeks. so everything is looking pretty dodgy for rishi sunak . if pretty dodgy for rishi sunak. if he can hold on to just one of those seats in tomorrow's by—election, i think we can expect conservative activists to try paint it as a win. try and paint it as a win. there's even rumours that he could a whole cabinet could have a whole cabine

the former somerton and frome mp david warburton says allegations against him of sexual misconduct havewas suspended by the conservative party last year when the claims were made against him, and photos of him with cocaine were published by a national newspaper. he resigned last month after admitting drug—taking, but he continued to deny sexual misconduct. firefighters are continuing to tackle a fire at a hotel in brighton more than 18 hours after it broke out. high winds have hampered efforts to put out the fire at the royal albion hotel after crews were called to the scene yestereday afternoon. no one has been injured, but buildings nearby were evacuated. let's get some of the day's other news now. the last ship covered by the soon—to—expire un—brokered deal which allows ukraine to export grain has left the black sea port of 0desa. russia has not agreed to register any new ships sincejune the 27th. the agreement will run out on monday unless moscow agrees to extend it. grain prices rose sharply last year after the russian invasion hindered ukraine's exports. israel's prime minister, b

somerton and frome. and we did so tactical frome.oting system, that's the way that people are going to best use their vote. so there's no concerted ganging up. there's no planning of this at a leadership level. it'sjust planning of this at a leadership level. it's just happening through the grass roots . through the grass roots. >> and i guess one of the things that might scupper a lib dem revival in the in the south west come a general election could be the lib dem stance on the eu issue, given that the south west sort of voted overwhelmingly for brexit. what is the lib dems current policy on the eu is ? is current policy on the eu is? is it to rejoin ? is it to rejoin it to rejoin? is it to rejoin some elements of it, it to rejoin? is it to rejoin some elements of it , to bring some elements of it, to bring back free movement of people or the single market or whatever ? the single market or whatever? do they have policy along do they have a policy along those lines? and if so, might that be a disadvantage in the south—west when a g

the constituencies are in somerton and froom, in selby and ainsty, and in the seat vacated by the formeroting closes at 10pm, and we'll have a special results programme here on the bbc news channel, starting at midnight. to the war in ukraine now. russia's ministry of defence says it's targeted production and storage sites for what it called �*unmanned boats' — in its latest missile strikes on ukraine. it classified the strikes in and around 0desa as "retaliatory". it follows monday's attack on the bridge that connects russia with russian—occupied crimea. ukrainian officials say at least two people died and nearly 30 others were wounded in the missile attacks overnight in 0desa and mykolaiv. meanwhile, kyiv has warned ships in the black sea heading towards russian or occupied ukrainian ports that they could be viewed as transporting military cargo. a short time ago we spoke to 0leksiy goncharenko, a ukrainian member of parliament from 0desa. i asked him about the message russia is sending from these attacks the message is very clear. russia wants starvation in the world. russia wants as