Three by-elections are taking place today, with two others expected in the near future, sparking fears in the Conservative party that it might lose a number of seats.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Uxbridge seat is up for grabs, following Mr Johnson’s resignation last month.

The next general election is expected in autumn 2024 although the very last date it can be held on is January 25, 2025, so these by-elections offer Labour an early opportunity to gain seats in Parliament.

So where are these by-elections taking place and why have the seats become available?

Where and when are the by-elections?

Three by-elections will take place on July 20:

• Uxbridge and South Ruislip

• Selby and Ainsty

• Somerton and Frome

Two more by-elections are expected to happen after them:

• Mid Bedfordshire

• Tamworth

Why are the by-elections taking place?

A by-election takes place when one of the following happens. An MP:

• resigns or dies

• is declared bankrupt

• takes a seat in the House of Lords

• is convicted of a serious criminal offence

The by-elections follow the confirmed resignation of three Conservative MPs and the expected resignation of another, and the suspension of a fifth MP.

Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson)

Uxbridge and South Ruislip is hosting a by-election following Mr Johnson’s resignation on June 9 after a report from the Privileges Committee found that he misled Parliament over parties at Downing Street during the pandemic.

In his resignation statement, he said the committee was “determined to use the proceedings against [him] to drive [him out of Parliament”.

Mr Johnson resigned as prime minister on July 7, 2022, before resigning as an MP almost a year later.

Selby and Ainsty (Nigel Adams)

On June 10, Nigel Adams announced that he would resign with immediate effect.

It has been speculated that Mr Adams quit after he wasn’t featured in Mr Johnson’s resignation honours list, despite expecting to be.

There has been speculation that Mr Adams and MP Nadine Dorries were removed from the list to avoid by-election contests, though the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has denied having any involvement in the final list.

Somerton and Frome (David Warburton)

David Warburton was found guilty of three sexual misconduct allegations by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

Mr Warburton announced that he was resigning in June, after being suspended from the Conservative party in April 2022. In March 2022, a staffer made four sexual misconduct and two bullying and harassment allegations against him.

Mid Bedfordshire (Nadine Dorries)

Nadine Dorries announced she would resign last month but has failed to formally do so. Like Mr Adams, it is thought that she resigned after being left off Mr Johnson’s honours list.

As she hasn’t formally resigned, no date has been set for a Mid Bedfordshire by-election.

Tamworth (Chris Pincher)

Chris Pincher is facing an eight-week suspension from parliament over groping claims. The Commons Standards Committee recommended the suspension following what it said was an “egregious case of sexual misconduct”.

His suspension is likely to lead to a by-election in Tamworth if the ensuing recall petition is signed by at least 10 per cent of constituents.

Who is running in the by-elections?

The candidates for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Selby and Ainsty, and Somerton and Frome have been announced.

Uxbridge and South Ruislip

There are currently 17 candidates running for the Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat.

Danny Beales is standing for Labour, Steve Tuckwell for the Conservative Party, Blaise Baquiche is the Liberal Democrat’s choice, and Sarah Green is the Green Party candidate.

Laurence Fox is running for the Reclaim Party, Piers Corbyn is running on behalf of the Let London Live party, while Count Binface is running for the Count Binface Party.

The remaining candidates are: Cameron Ball (Independent), Steve Gardner (Social Democratic Party), Ed Gemmell (Climate Party), Kingsley Hamilton (Independent), Richard Hewison (Rejoin EU),  Howling Hope (Official Monster Raving Loony Party), 77 Joseph (Independent), Rebecca Jane (UKIP), Enomfon Ntefon (Christian Peoples Alliance) and Leo Phaure (Independent).

Selby and Ainsty

There are 13 candidates running for the seat in Selby and Ainsty.

Keir Mather for the Labour Party, Claire Holmes for the Conservative Party, Matt Walker for the Liberal Democrats, and Arnold Warneken for the Green Party.

The remaining candidates are: Andrew Gray (Independent), Mike Jordan (Yorkshire Party), Dave Kent (Reform UK), Nick Palmer (Independent), Guy Phoenix (Heritage Party), Sir Archibald Stanton (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party), John Waterston (Social Democratic Party), Luke Wellock (Climate Party), and Tyler Wilson-Kerr (Independent).

Somerton and Frome

There are eight candidates in the Somerton and Frome by-election.

Neil Guild is running for the Labour Party, Faye Purbrick for the Conservative Party, Sarah Dyke for the Liberal Democrat Party and Martin Dimery for the Green Party.

The remaining candidates are: Lorna Corke (Christian Peoples Alliance), Bruce Evans (Reform UK), Rosie Mitchell (Independent) and Peter Richardson (UKIP).

What are the polls saying?

In Uxbridge, Labour’s Danny Beales is on 41 per cent and Conservative Steve Tuckwell 33 per cent, according to the survey by JL Partners. Another poll put Labour 12 points ahead in Selby and Ainsty.

Matthew McGregor, chief executive of campaign group 38 Degrees, which commissioned the poll, said: “In any by-election, you’d expect local issues to feature – in this case it’s the debate around Ulez.

“But this poll shows that it’s the issues that affect all of us, every day, at the supermarket counters, in GP waiting rooms, and when we come to pay our rent, mortgage or energy bills that are likely to determine this election.”