The former Tory MP who quit after watching pornography in parliament says the public have “largely got over” what he did and his resignation has not helped the party, after its humiliating by-election loss.
Neil Parish – whose resignation triggered the Tiverton and Honiton by-election – told Sky News that people in the constituency had voted against a “very unpopular prime minister” who is “living in a parallel universe”.
The Conservatives saw a majority of 24,000, or 40.6%, evaporate in the Devon seat – a record reverse for the party – as the Liberal Democrats triumphed.
The Tories also lost the Wakefield by-election to Labour – with the results prompting the resignation of Conservative Party chairman Oliver Dowden.
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Speaking to Sky political correspondent Ali Fortescue, Mr Parish said: “Full credit to the Lib Dems for winning, but it’s a combination of our vote dropping…
