UK's ruling Conservatives have lost the seat of North Shropshire, a seat they held for nearly 200 years, to the Liberal Democrats in a by-election blow to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The embattled premier says he takes personal responsibility for his party’s "very disappointing by-election results" and he totally understands why people in the district are frustrated. The seat became vacant after a Conservative ally of Johnson stepped down over breaking lobbying rules.
The Prime Minister has been hit by several setbacks and scandals in recent weeks, including a surging Omicron variant and tanking approval ratings. He is also particularly plagued by recent allegations about his government staff attending Christmas parties last year in violation of Covid restrictions. Johnson has denied that any rules were broken and has ordered an inquiry.