Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner, the leader and deputy leader of the Labour party, visited Shefford last weekend ahead of the expected by-election in Mid Bedfordshire.

They were there to support Alistair Strathern, Labour's candidate to replace Nadine Dorries as the constituency's MP.

During the visit, Sir Keir spoke to Ken Marks, a former long-time Conservative voter who is now supporting Labour.

Mr Marks told the Labour leader: “You, in person, seem to be the right guy for the job. You’re not frightened to stand up and speak to these people.”

The Labour figures were also joined by Peter Kyle, the shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, and took part in canvassing despite the rainy weather.

The Comet: Canvassing in Shefford. From L to R: Alistair Strathern; a canvasser; Sir Keir Starmer; Angela Rayner.Canvassing in Shefford. From L to R: Alistair Strathern; a canvasser; Sir Keir Starmer; Angela Rayner. (Image: Labour party)

Nadine Dorries, the current Conservative MP for the constituency, told voters in June that she would be resigning "with immediate effect", triggering a by-election.

However, she has since said that she will not be resigning until she is given more information about why she did not receive a peerage in Boris Johnson's resignation honours.

Festus Akinbusoye, the Conservative candidate for the constituency, has said that the delay is "frustrating".

If and when the by-election does take place, Mr Akinbusoye will be defending a large majority of 24,664 votes in a constituency that the Conservatives have held since 1931.

The Comet: Sir Keir Starmer meets a voter while visiting Shefford.Sir Keir Starmer meets a voter while visiting Shefford. (Image: Labour party)

However, a poll conducted by Opinium earlier this month suggests that he may struggle to hold onto the seat.

It put Labour on 28 per cent, the Conservatives on 24 per cent, independent candidate Gareth Mackey on 19 per cent, and the Liberal Democrats on 15 per cent.

Labour will also be buoyed by the recent by-election result in the Yorkshire constituency of Selby and Ainsty, where they overturned a Conservative majority of more than 20,000 to win the seat.

The Comet: Ken Marks told Sir Keir that he seems to be the right guy for the job.Ken Marks told Sir Keir that he seems to be the right guy for the job. (Image: Labour party)

However, on the same day they suffered defeat in Boris Johnson's old seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip, with mayor of London Sadiq Khan's ULEZ proving unpopular with voters.

Following Sir Keir and Angela Rayner's visit to Shefford, Mr Strathern said: "Last week's by-elections raised an important question that people in Mid Beds are asking: when are we going to get a by-election here? 

"It has been almost seven weeks since Nadine Dorries announced she was resigning with immediate effect.

The Comet: Alistair Strathern and Angela Rayner canvassing in rainy conditions in Shefford.Alistair Strathern and Angela Rayner canvassing in rainy conditions in Shefford. (Image: Labour party)

"While we've been kept waiting, it was great to see Labour win a historic victory in rural Selby & Ainsty.

“People in this community deserve an attentive, dedicated, full-time MP who prioritises their needs and actively addresses the pressing challenges of the cost of living crisis, lengthy GP waiting times, and the chronic lack of infrastructure in Mid Beds.

"And when we have a by-election, that is exactly what I will be offering them.”