Festus Akinbusoye will instead seek re-election as the Bedfordshire police and crime commissioner.

The defeated Conservative says people "respected my track record" and "knew who I was".

Overturning huge majorities in Mid Beds and Tamworth shows Labour "can win anywhere", Sir Keir says.

The prime minister spoke to reporters from Cairo, where he was holding meetings on the crisis in Gaza.

Huge by-election swings to Labour raise parallels with Blair in 1997 but these are very different times.

Sir John Curtice says Tamworth gives a "straightforward " message to parties, while Mid Bedfordshire offered a "somewhat different pattern".

The party says it is "redrawing the political map", as it overturns huge majorities in Mid Beds and Tamworth.

Conservative candidate Festus Akinbusoye made a quick exit following the result declaration.