UK Conservatives win opposition-held seat

LONDON: The UK's ruling Conservative Party has snatched a historically left-wing seat from the opposition Labour in a tense by-election in England. Conservative party candidate Jill Mortimer won the north-east England seat of Hartlepool with a large majority, beating opposition Labour party candidate Paul Williams, reports dpa news agency. She described it as a "truly historic" result.

It is the first time since its creation in 1974 that the seat has been won by a Conservative politician. Previously it had only been held by Labour, at one point, a candidate who ran as an independent.

The result is a boost for Prime Minister Boris Johnson despite a rocky few months for the premier, with the country's successful vaccine campaign appearing to be a key factor. It is equally a blow for Labour party leader Keir Starmer, who has only been chief for a year. (IANS)

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