Winning Tamworth by-election 'a tough ask' says Labour leader

Sir Keir visited the Tamworth constituency to support the Labour candidate, Sarah Edwards

Sir Keir Starmer said winning the upcoming Tamworth by-election would be a "tough ask" for the Labour Party.

It follows the resignation of Chris Pincher, after he lost an appeal against a proposed Commons suspension for drunkenly groping two men.

At the last general election in 2019, Mr Pincher won a majority for the Conservative Party of 19,634.

The prime minister said the Tories were going to "fight very hard" for the seat.

For Labour, Sir Keir said: "We have to earn every vote. But it's a sign of how far we've come since 2019 that we are pushing the Tories in these areas."

• The BBC has a full list of the candidates standing for election.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said mid-term by-elections were "always tricky" for incumbent governments.

"What we are doing is getting on and delivering for people," he said.

Rishi Sunak accepted mid-term by-elections could be "tricky"

Historically Tamworth has flipped between the two main parties, often in line with the national mood.

The Labour leader made his comments on a visit to support his candidate in Tamworth, Sarah Edwards.

The by-election in the Staffordshire seat will take place on 19 October.