The vote, which saw the area's Conservative MP resign, took place as voters cast ballots in a mix of council, mayoral and other local contests across England.
3rd May 2024 09:13 AM 
Britain's ruling Conservatives lost a parliamentary seat to the main Labour opposition Friday, as the country awaited local election results likely to pile more pressure on embattled leader Rishi Sunak.
Labour seized the constituency of Blackpool South, in the northwest of England, in the latest by-election defeat for the Tories.
Labour's Chris Webb won with a 26.3 percent swing, which appears to be the third largest margin from the Conservatives to Labour at a by-election since World War II.
Briefing reporters, webb said the outcome of the result was the reflection of the expectations of the people of Blackpool South.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Keir Starmer, said the win in Blackpool South is the most important result of the election process.
The polls represent the last major ballot box test before Sunak goes to the country in a nationwide vote expected in the second half of the year.
His ruling Tories, in power nationally since 2010 and defending hundreds of seats secured the last time local elections were held in 2021, are tipped to suffer heavy losses.
Early results showed that Labour was making gains in council seats, but all eyes were on key regional and London mayor races, the outcome of which were only expected later Friday and Saturday. #
