Although they acknowledged that it was a “tough night,” Tory leaders have made an effort to downplay the somber early results and the subdued whispers among MPs that Mr. Sunak was “the right man” to lead the party.
Spurred on by council victories in major battleground regions such as Rushmoor in Hampshire, Hartlepool, Redditch in the West Midlands, and Thurrock in Essex, Sir Keir referred to Labour’s “seismic win” in the Blackpool South by-election as “a direct message to the prime minister.”.
The opposition leader told news that the Tories’ 26.33% swing in the Lancashire seat was noteworthy.
Although it had been a “tough night,” Conservative Party chairman Richard Holden told News that “when we’re facing those tough challenges we’ve got the right man for the job.”
