����ý

The Conservatives have lost a by-election to the Liberal Democrats and it's making headlines across the UK.

The Liberal Democrat candidate Helen Morgan won by 5,925 votes.

And this is a big deal, because this constituency in North Shropshire has voted Conservative for 115 years, and was known as a safe seat - or an "easy win" for the party.

When safe seats are lost, it can mean that loyal voters are unhappy with their party.

But why would voters in North Shropshire be unhappy with the Conservative party, who have been in power for more than a decade in the UK?

Read on to find out more.

What does this by-election tell us about the Conservative party's popularity?

The result comes at the end of a terrible week for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has faced criticism over Christmas parties at Downing Street and also seen lots of his own MPs vote against him over Covid measures.

Lots of people are unhappy as they feel that holding parties last Christmas was unfair. Rules at the time encouraged social distancing, and gatherings of more than six people were not allowed.

There is no evidence that Mr Johnson attended any parties last year, and he has said he "apologises unreservedly" for a video of one of his former colleagues laughing about a party being held in Downing Street last December.

He also previously denied that any parties have taken place.

And earlier this week, the Prime Minister faced a rebellion of 99 Conservative MPs over the introduction of Covid passes in England, suggesting that he is losing popularity within his own party.

What else has happened?

The resignation of the previous MP for North Shropshire, Owen Paterson, may have also contributed to the negative feeling towards the Conservative party in the constituency.

Mr Paterson had been the MP in North Shropshire for 24 years, but he left his job after it was discovered he broke parliamentary rules.

What has the reaction been?

Helen Morgan criticised the Conservatives in a speech to her constituents following her victory.

"Your government, run on lies and bluster, will be held accountable. It will be scrutinised, it will be challenged and it can and will be defeated." she said.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, commented on Mr Johnson's position, saying: "I'm not surprised that he's now losing the support of life-long Conservatives."

But Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party, Oliver Dowden, said the party are listening to voters.

"Voters in North Shropshire were fed up and they gave us a kicking and I think they wanted to send us a message," he said.

"I want to say as chairman of the Conservative Party we've heard that loud and clear."

Correction 17th February 2022: This article originally reported that the Conservative Party held the North Shropshire seat for nearly 200 years. In fact the seat was held by a Liberal MP, under its old name of Oswestry from 1904-1906 following a by-election and so we have amended the article to make clear that the seat was held by the Conservative Party for 115 years.