So much for the Lib Dem fight back - Sleaford and North Hykeham

Nobody was expecting anything different in this constituency.
A hugely safe tory seat.
The Tories, labour and Ukip actually lost some of their share of the vote, while the lib Dems were the only ones to increase it, albeit from a low base.
It isn't good news for labour, who I suspect have lost some votes to the lib Dems

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Originally Posted by ninianclark

I was listening to a labour MP this morning on the way to work - saying that he believes Labour are in a very dark place, Labour heartlands have gone to UKIP for the Labour Brexit voters and Labour remain have gone to the Lib Dems.

There was also the Labour MP woman from Birmingham saying that other than the 'London Socialist Elite" Labour are ignoring the rest of their voters concerns (not sure I entirely agree with that ) but said although has massive core vote - there is nothing else out there for them and that JC is too principled and set in his ways that he is too far gone to change now. They have lost a generation of voters to UKIP, Lib DEMS and the SNP.

I never like 2 party politics, but the alternative doesnt do much for me either.

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Labour are finished.

It’s hard to foresee what will happen as Brexit unfolds but if I had to make one prediction it is that the Lib Dems are going to do well at the next general election. They’ve given Clegg his well-deserved slap in the chops; they have a new leader with a clean slate; and they are going to get a lot of the disgruntled Remain vote. From a very low position the only way is up for them.

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Originally Posted by Nelsonca61

Labour are finished.

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We need a new centrist party who are flexible enough to choose the best Tory/Labour/Lib Dem policies, without direct influence from big business and inherited wealth.

Lib Dem fightback is very much on and this result highlights it further. It seems ardent remainers are backing the LDs over Labour. If I was Timmy Farron I would go into full block Brexit mode now, it's a huge vote winner. I'd imagine very few Tory voting remainers still want to block it, most respect the result. It's Labour who need to worry about this the most, their working class vote is shifting to UKIP and their more Blairite vote is going to the Lib Dems. Oh and just having a look at the figures Labour have polled over 30% in this constituency in the past, the Tory vote has remained stable and the Lib Dems are still down on what they have polled in the past despite their resurgance. So where have all these Labour voters gone? UKIP.

We are living in times where every By election tells us something, I think if the Blairites want to go get rid of Corbyn and his mob they must get one of their MPs to stand down in a working class northern seat. A UKIP win would surely be the end of Corbyn.

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Originally Posted by Bluebird since 1948

Lib Dem fightback is very much on and this result highlights it further. It seems ardent remainers are backing the LDs over Labour. If I was Timmy Farron I would go into full block Brexit mode now, it's a huge vote winner. I'd imagine very few Tory voting remainers still want to block it, most respect the result. It's Labour who need to worry about this the most, their working class vote is shifting to UKIP and their more Blairite vote is going to the Lib Dems. Oh and just having a look at the figures Labour have polled over 30% in this constituency in the past, the Tory vote has remained stable and the Lib Dems are still down on what they have polled in the past despite their resurgance. So where have all these Labour voters gone? UKIP.

We are living in times where every By election tells us something, I think if the Blairites want to go get rid of Corbyn and his mob they must get one of their MPs to stand down in a working class northern seat. A UKIP win would surely be the end of Corbyn.

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I agree with everything you say. The day after the referendum I said this is it the way it would go with the Lib Dems.

It's a short term vote grab for the Lib Dems though. They should just be called the Liberals now as they've neglected the Democrat bit. They've lost my vote.

I think people will be voting tactically until Brexit is done and dusted.

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Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

I think people will be voting tactically until Brexit is done and dusted.

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I wonder if people are will vote for something they actually believe in ever again.

Seems to me that all the two recent by elections prove is that a country that was seriously divided (I can't think when it's been more divided in my lifetime) has become even more fragmented.

The result in Richmond saw the 23,000 maority of a candidate who backed us leaving being overturned in favour of the one mainstream national party that still favours EU membership and the vote this week in the Sleaford (a firmly leave area in June's vote) by-election saw the Tories comfortably hold the seat despite a reduction in what was a huge majority.

The only party to increase their percentage of the vote in Sleaford were the Lib Dems and I agree that one conclusion that might be drawn from the two results is that the Lib Dems look to be on their way to becoming the natural home for disaffected Remain voters - the competition not's great though as Labour would be in the mess they are even without Brexit.

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Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

We need a new centrist party who are flexible enough to choose the best Tory/Labour/Lib Dem policies, without direct influence from big business and inherited wealth.

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My thoughts exactly 👍

I don't think the Labour collapse is all down to Brexit , yes the elections were in traditional Tory seats, however by elections usually see's the opposition gain some % increases , not finish so low below other minority parties .

This is a message sent from the voters, they ain't happy with the parties direction .

I feel sadly if its not reigned in Labour will have a very tough and long time in the political wilderness ,something I would personally hate to see, someone needs to be brave within the party to reverse this , or are some happy to be heading that way ?? is there an agenda we don't know about, as a life long Labour voter I simply don't get it , and that will be a dilemma for me and others I should imagine come the next come election ??.

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Originally Posted by Wales-Bales

We need a new centrist party who are flexible enough to choose the best Tory/Labour/Lib Dem policies, without direct influence from big business and inherited wealth.

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So so true. Can't see myself voting again till that happens. That new party needs to have an Iceland style attitude to the banks too.

For all his faults (Iraq, taxation, immigration) Blair recognised that traditional labour was dead in the water and needed a shot in the arm. New Labour was an instant hit with the voters and they won three total landslides. Corbyn and his cronies say that Blair over the 13 years lost millions of voters ignoring the fact to lose that amount of voters you had to win them over in the first place. Anyone who believes you can become PM from the left is completely deluded as we are seeing now. Corbyns policies will be torn to shreds in the six week election season in 2020.

Lib Dems are reporting the small victory of a much increased vote percentage compared to the 2015 election in Sleaford and North Hykeham. After coming from nowhere to mount the best challenge in Whitbey and winning in Richmond it's not a bad claim to go with.

It seems Labour are still in a very difficult position where the loudest voices in their party (see the representation on QT panel) still do not fully wish for success under this leader. The Tories may be making a mockery of May's decisive leadership reputation (as does greater spotlight on her previous voting record) but as long as the Labour party remains any hint of divided then they stand a much tougher test.