Defeat for the government in the parliamentary by-election would add to the woes facing unpopular Prime Minister Keir Starmer who endures frequent mutterings about how long he can stay in office. Starmer, whose five predecessors as prime minister were all Conservatives stretching back to 2010, has pitched the by-election as "a battle of values". Starmer also attacked the Greens' support for legalising drugs, calling it "reprehensible". The vote was triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Andrew Gwynne on health grounds. Starmer has also taken flak for countless policy reversals and polls suggest he is the most unpopular British prime minister since surveys began.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha February 26, 2026 10:01 UTC