By-election losses suffered by the Conservatives were awful for the party but not surprising, Lichfield’s MP has said.
The Tories saw a huge majority overturned in Tiverton and Honiton as the Lib Dems took the seat, while Wakefield also fell to Labour.
Conservative MP Michael Fabricant said that while the results were not a blow, history showed that such results can quickly be forgotten.
“The two by-election results are awful for the Conservatives but not surprising.
“My constituency was lost in a by-election to Labour during a serious strike and Government unpopularity – but I won it back in a General Election two years later.
“Economic turbulence, inflation and poor industrial relations were all a backdrop to these mid-term elections. Conservative voters stayed at home and turnout collapsed.
“Neither Labour nor the Lib Dems should assume they will hold these seats, but first it is essential the Government must restore the economy to an even keel despite world pressures.”
Michael Fabricant
The results have seen Conservative co-chair Oliver Dowden resign saying that “somebody must take responsibility” for the result.
While some commentators have likened the move to Geoffrey Howe’s speech in 1990 which is seen as a key moment in the downfall of Margaret Thatcher.
But Mr Fabricant said on social media that such comparisons were wide of the mark:
“Oliver Dowden’s resignation is nothing like Howe’s speech in the Chamber with Thatcher being forced to listen from the front bench.”
Michael Fabricant
Fabricant: “Oliver Dowden’s resignation is nothing like Howe’s speech in the Chamber with Thatcher being forced to listen from the front bench.” What he means is Boris is still not listening and he never will. He doesn’t care what the people think.
You lot are ruining our lovely country you divide us and have no shame. Your brexit has got us nothing the world is laughing at us.
All you have done is reduce our rights and freedoms and condemn more people to food banks and lie, lie, lie.
Can’t wait to see the back of you, people are sick of your thick, self serving government and your lies and mad culture war trash. They don’t put food on the table.
You can’t even be bothered to hold surgeries you absolute clown you think we’re all thick as mince well, wake up and smell the coffee.
Fabrican’t must be worried with the Tiverton turnaround as he could lose his seat. Think about what Alexander is doing to the Tory brand and be mindful that the electorate is turning against him because of his lying and deceit. Fabrican’t has allied himself to Alexander so much that they are one and the same. He may live to regret such a close alliance.
I’ve lived in Lichfield for over 60 years, but now I’m ashamed to tell people (when we’re away) that I live in Lichfield, immediately their comments are regarding Michael Fabricant, and are always derogatory and would be laughable, if this country wasn’t in such a serious mess. I get emails from friends asking if I’ve seen what he has said in the press/TV.
Why doesn’t he engage his brain before he opens his mouth.
Just go……all of you Tories, and put the Great back into Great Britain 🇬🇧
Time to be seriously concerned Michael. Interesting times for all MP’s Predict Boris will be gone by Party Conference in early Oct.
Mikey is correct, Lichfield did reject the Conservatives in a 1990 by-election and then return to them in the general election 2 years later.
But the Conservatives had managed to rid themselves of a toxic leader between the two elections.
So if he does want his party to remain in charge at the next general election, perhaps he should reconsider his support for the liar in chief.
Personally I hope he keeps giving him his full backing and toxic Boris leads the Tories to electoral ruin.
@chris
Unfortunately that will only lead to another 2 years of chaos before the next election. Boris has to go now and Fabricant with him….
If Boris resigns he can nominate peers etc in his resignation honours list.
There you go Michael, you get a peerage and we get a new MP. 😉 We just need you to keep up your sycophantic support for the PM.
In the six years since Mikey’s precious referendum the number of parliamentarians with EU passports has gone up from 46 to over 320.
I am sure that the principled Mikey is not one of those who kept their rights and freedoms whilst denying us ours.
Land of Hope and Glory. My a#$@. All we have left is Hope.
Is the exit of these twin idiots in sight at last? Boris and Mike refuse to leave the sinking ship and will cling on until pushed. I totally agree with all comments. We are fed up with disastrous decisions and blatant lies. Any MP’s with integrity are resigning one by one. It would also be useless for Boris to appoint another ethical adviser as he would ignore any advice given