London | Britain’s first byelection since Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s thumping 2019 ballot-box triumph has been electrified by polls suggesting he could seize the Labour stronghold of Hartlepool on Thursday (Friday AEST).
The seat has now assumed totemic significance in the eyes of Westminster watchers. If Mr Johnson wins, it would reconfirm his peerless ability to capture blue-collar votes and seats previously held for generations by the Labour Party.
Loading...
Hans van Leeuwen covers British and European politics, economics and business from London. He has worked as a reporter, editor and policy adviser in Sydney, Canberra, Hanoi and London. Connect with Hans on Twitter. Email Hans at hans.vanleeuwen@afr.com
