LABOUR remain on track to regain key target seats in Cumbria following their victory in the Chester by-election on Thursday.
A by-election was called in the City of Chester constituency following the resignation of the previous Labour MP Christian Matheson.
He stood down after Parliament's watchdog recommended his suspension for 'serious sexual misconduct'.
Leading psephologist, Professor Sir John Curtice said, "Labour are in a stronger position than they have been at any point in the last 12 years."
The result in Chester, which saw Labour receive almost 61 per cent of the vote, represents an overall swing of 13.6 per cent from the Conservatives to Labour.
If this level of swing was repeated at a General Election, Labour would enter office with a decent sized majority and Cumbria would turn red.
A 13 per cent swing would be enough to turn Workington, Copeland and Carlisle red. All of which are seats high up on Labour’s target list for the next election.
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