London (UK)- Conservative co-chair Oliver Dowden has resigned following two by-election losses for the party to Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
The Lib Dems overturned a huge Tory majority in Tiverton and Honiton, Devon, their third by-election victory over Boris Johnson’s party in a year.
And Labour retook the seat of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, which it lost at the 2019 general election.
The prime minister said he would “keep going” and address people’s concerns.
In a letter to Mr Johnson, Mr Dowden said Tory supporters were “distressed and disappointed”.
He wrote: “We cannot carry on with business as usual. Somebody must take responsibility and I have concluded that, in these circumstances, it would not be right for me to remain in office.”
Mr Dowden also called his resignation “a deeply personal decision that I have taken alone” following a “run of very poor results for our party”.
The by-election results follow months of criticism of the prime minister over parties in Downing Street during lockdown.
They also come amid soaring inflation and concerns over the cost of living and after a narrower-than-expected vote of confidence by Tory MPs in Mr Johnson earlier this month.
Speaking in Rwanda, where he is attending a Commonwealth heads of government meeting, Mr Johnson said: “We’ve got to recognise there is more we’ve got to do and we certainly will.
“We will keep going, addressing the concerns of people until we get through this patch.”
And, in a letter to Mr Dowden, he wrote that he understood his “disappointment” at the by-election losses, but added that the government had been “elected with a historic mandate just over two years ago”.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak also expressed his sadness over Mr Dowden’s departure.
“We all take responsibility for the results and I’m determined to continue working to tackle the cost of living, including delivering NICs [National Insurance contribution] changes saving 30 million people on average £330,” he added.
It is understood there are no plans for the PM to return to the UK and cut short his diplomatic trip – and he has been in touch with senior members of his cabinet.
Some have expressed support, with Deputy PM Dominic Raab saying the government needed to be “relentlessly focused on delivery”.
In his victory speech, the Lib Dems’ new MP Richard Foord said: “Tonight, the people of Tiverton and Honiton have spoken for Britain.
“They’ve sent a loud and clear message: It’s time for Boris Johnson to go, and go now.”
Party leader Sir Ed Davey added: “The Liberal Democrats have made political history with this stunning win. It is the biggest by-election victory our country has ever seen.”
The Lib Dems also won by-elections in Chesham and Amersham and North Shropshire last year, taking what had previously been safe Conservative seats