Despite the shambles, Labour lose support

LABOUR has seen its support slump at a byelection in a Leave constituency in what was seen as a test of public opinion over Brexit.

The party held on to Newport West but by a much smaller majority, with a swing to the Conservatives of 2.36 per cent.

The by-election was triggered by the death of veteran Labour MP Paul Flynn, who took more than half the vote at the 2017 election.

He was the MP for the town in South Wales for more than 32 years and had a majority of 5,658. But this week’s poll saw turnout fall, with Labour’s Ruth Jones taking 9,308 votes, giving her a majority of 1,951 over the Tories.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn embraced Mrs Jones after her victory.

Asked if Labour’s stance on a softer Brexit had cost votes, particularly among those who voted Leave, Mr Corbyn said: ‘However they voted in the referendum they did not vote for deregulation of our society, they didn’t vote to lose their jobs, they didn’t vote to lose trading relationships with Europe.’

Tory candidate Matthew Evans said Brexit was the main issue in the by-election.

He added: ‘I have never known such anger and frustration which I share and has been reflected in the turnout. People just want clarity and I’ve seen no appetite for another referendum or a general election.’

Ukip’s candidate was ex-Tory Neil Hamilton, hoping to return to Parliament two decades after the cash-for-questions scandal. The party came third, tripling the share of its votes in the 2017 general election from 2.5 per cent to 8.6 per cent. Heavy rain was blamed for a poor turnout of just 37.1 per cent.

Mrs Jones, the new MP, is a former president of the Wales Trade Union Congress and campaigned for Remain. She said about Brexit: ‘The trust in politicians is very low at the moment and I recognise that. They say get on with it, we need to make sure we bring this to a close now, it’s gone on long enough.’

Polling expert Sir John Curtice told the BBC: ‘Both parties are down and both parties are losing ground in the wake of the Brexit saga.’