Copeland by-election ‘too close to call’ as Theresa May bids for historic victory over Labour

THERESA MAY’s bid for a historic by-election victory over Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour was on a “knife edge” last night.

After a day when Storm Doris battered voters, sources claimed the outcome in Copeland, Cumbria was too close to call as polls closed.

The Tories would become the first Government to take a seat off the opposition since 1982 if local candidate Trudy Harrison wins.

Dozens of MPs pounded the streets in a last ditch bid for support – with the Tories offering voters umbrellas as part of a door-to-polling booth service.

One Labour source said: “I think we’ve lost. A paramedic told me he’d voted Labour for 28 years but he can’t vote for us while Jeremy Corbyn’s in charge.”

A senior Tory told the Sun: “It is astonishing that a victory is even being considered if you think about it. We could do it but it’s on a knife edge.

Copeland is one of two by-elections triggered by the resignation of Labour ‘moderates’.

Labour is set to hold onto Stoke-Central in a crushing blow for UKIP’s new leader Paul Nuttall, who sources claimed could come THIRD.

In January Nigel Farage declared: “I like making predictions, I think Paul will win in Stoke.”

One insider said: “Labour are romping it.”

Jeremy Corbyn’s spokesman on Wednesday said both results were too close to call.

The leftie leader was expected to use a big London speech to attack Theresa May on Brexit – accusing her of “fake patriotic posturing” and preparing to sell out the UK’s public services. He is hosting a “Road to Brexit Conference” which was meant to see the leaders of European left-wing parties flock to London.

However last night the party admitted that only Brendan Howlin, Leader of Irish Labour Party and Lubomir Zaoralek, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic had agreed to take part.

To have your say on last night’s by-elections

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