Politics RECAP: Former leader of Conservative Party Michael Howard calls for Boris Johnson to resign

Pressure is mounting on Boris Johnson after the Conservatives lost by elections in Tiverton & Honiton and Wakefield, making it the first time in more than 30 years that a government has lost two by-elections on the same day.

Oliver Dowden has resigned as chairman of the Conservative Party after it suffered two by-election defeats, saying in a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson that “someone must take responsibility”.

By-election losses ‘monumental and humiliating’ for Boris Johnson says Nicola Sturgeon

In Tiverton and Honiton the Liberal Democrats overturned a 24,000 Tory majority to win, while in Wakefield, Simon Lightwood was elected with a majority of 4,925 on a swing of 12.7% from the Tories to Labour.

Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey celebrates with Richard Foord (right), the newly-elected Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Honiton in the Tiverton and Honiton by-election

Wakefield was one of the so-called red wall seats won by the Tories in the 2019 general election after being Labour since the 1930s.

Boris Johnson has said he will “listen” to voters but will “keep going” after the Tories suffered a double by-election defeat.