Samantha Dixon retained her party seat with 17,309 votes – 61% and almost 11,000 more than the Conservative candidate. Labor was expected to win, but the margin was wider than in 2019, when the difference was 6,164 votes. It represents a 13.8% swing from the Tories to Labour, the sixth largest between the parties since 1945, and more than 12.7% in Wakefield in June. It is also the worst result for the Conservatives in Chester since 1832, with candidate Liz Wardlaw receiving 6,335 votes, or 22.4%. Latest politics: Labor retain Chester by an increased margin of 11,000 Ms Dixon told Sky News the result was a “resounding mandate” for Labor and in her victory speech said the Tories were “on borrowed time and people want change”. He added: “People in Chester and across our country are really worried. “They’re worried about losing their homes because they can’t afford the mortgage repayments or the rent, they’re worried about being able to put on heat, they’re worried about being able to put food on the table for their families. “This is the cost of 12 years of Conservative Government. The Government, which has wreaked havoc on our economy, destroyed our public services and betrayed the people who trusted them at the last general election.” Sky’s chief political correspondent John Craig described it as a “crushing defeat” for the Tories and “ominous” for the party’s chances at the next election. However, he said it would be harsh to blame new chief minister Rishi Sunak personally for the result. Analysis – Not just a bad result, but a disaster Image: Voter turnout was 41.2%, Chester elections officials said It comes after a major upset for the Conservatives in two summer by-elections which saw Labor grab Wakefield and the Lib Dems secure historic wins in Tiverton and Honiton. Chester’s contest was prompted by the resignation of Labor MP Chris Matheson, who was suspended in October following two allegations of sexual harassment by a former staff member. The result follows a drop in the polls for the Conservatives after a series of reshuffles in their top ranks. Image: The by-elections are the first since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister The party has seen a slight recovery in its numbers since Rishi Sunak entered Downing Street last month – the third Tory leader this year – but the Tories still regularly vote behind Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour. This is the first of two by-elections this month, with another being held on December 15 in Stretford and Urmston, Greater Manchester. This vote was called after Labour’s former shadow education secretary Kate Green announced she was standing down to become deputy mayor of Manchester.
