On the precipice of taking power

Starmer poised as Tories flop

- JOHN STEVENS and LIZZY BUCHAN

LABOUR declared it was on the precipice of power yesterday after the Tories slumped to a double by-election defeat.

PM Rishi Sunak was left reeling as Labour demolished a 20,000 Tory majority in Selby and Ainsty, and the Lib Dems won Somerton and Frome with an even bigger swing.

Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer called for a general election in the wake of the devastating results.

On a visit to Selby yesterday, Starmer said the result was a "cry for change" and a "big step forward".

He added: "The next step is a general election and a chance to give our country its future back."