By-elections special: Tories face double blow, but avoid 3-0 drubbing

The Conservatives faced a rout in both Selby and Somerton, but is their narrow win in Uxbridge enough to lift the party’s mood? Lucy Fisher is joined by the FT’s political editor George Parker and columnists Miranda Green and Stephen Bush to fillet the results of this week’s hat trick of by-elections. Plus, since it’s the end of term, the panel offers its political report cards.Want more? Read for free:UK Conservatives lose two seats after big by-election swings to Labour and Lib DemsTories look for lessons from parliamentary by-election lossesRelying on wedge issues like Ulez won’t save Tories from wipeoutSign up for 90 free days of Stephen Bush's Inside Politics newsletter, winner of the World Association of News Publishers 2023 ‘Best Newsletter’ award: https://www.ft.com/newsletter-signup/inside-politicsFollow Lucy on Twitter @LOS_FisherPresented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Philippa Goodrich. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music and sound engineering by Breen Turner. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.