Byelection spending suggests tacit Labour and Lib Dems deal on fighting Tory-held seats

Figures released before Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire contests hint at opposition parties making space for each other

Labour and the Liberal Democrats appear to have made space for each other in byelections held in Conservative seats, spending figures acquired by the Guardian show.

The figures also show Labour lost the Uxbridge and South Ruislip byelection despite outspending the Conservatives by more than 21,000 in the campaign.