
一 | LONDON -- Voters are casting ballots Thursday in two special elections in England that could add more misery to the beleaguered governing Conservative Party as it prepares to fight a national election next year.The Conservatives won both Tamworth in central England and Mid-Bedfordshire, north of London, by large margins during the last national election in 2019. But both constituencies’ lawmakers resigned under a cloud.Tamworth legislator Chris Pincher quit after Parliament’s standards watchdog recommended he be suspended for “completely inappropriate” behavior after groping two men at a London private members’ club. Then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson’ s reluctance to sanction Pincher when the allegations emerged helped trigger Johnson's ouster at the hands of his own party last year.Mid-Bedfordshire member of Parliament Nadine Dorries resigned over the treatment of Johnson and her own failure to be appointed to Parliament’s upper chamber, the House of Lords. Dorries is a strong ally of Johnson who has blamed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for helping to topple the former leader.The Conservatives acknowledge they face “difficult headwinds” in both seats. Polls close at 10 p.m. (2100GMT), with results announced early Friday.The main opposition Labour Party and the smaller Liberal Democrats hope to win the seats but have tried to manage expectations, noting that the Conservatives won substantial majorities in 2019. Labour has called both districts “super-safe Tory seats.”Losing either one would add to pressure on the governing party, which has lost several byelections since Sunak took office just under a year ago. He replaced Liz Truss, who quit in October 2022 after her plan for unfunded tax cuts sent financial markets into turmoil and rocked the economy.Truss spent just seven weeks in office after winning a party leadership contest to replace Johnson, who quit after three years in office when scandals over money and ethics turned party lawmakers against him.Sunak steadied the economy but has not managed to boost the party’s rating in opinion polls, where it consistently lags between 10 and 20 points behind Labour.The Conservatives have been in power nationally since 2010, years that saw austerity following the world banking crisis, Britain’s divisive decision to leave the European Union, a global pandemic and a European war that has triggered the worst cost-of-living crisis in decades.Polls show the Conservatives are losing support across the country, from affluent southern voters turned off by Brexit to working-class northern voters who switched from Labour in 2019 after Johnson promised to spread prosperity to long-neglected areas.Sunak has tried to rally support by arguing he has a long-term vision and is prepared to make tough decisions to change Britain.Earlier this month Labour won a special election victory over the Scottish National Party in Scotland. Winning seats in Scotland, where the pro-independence SNP has long been dominant, is key to Labour’s attempt to secure a majority in the next national election, due by the end of 2024.。 EA Rajendran, a versatile performer who made his mark across theatre, films and television, has passed away at the age of 71. He had been undergoing treatment for a prolonged illness and breathed his last at his residence in Pattathanam, Kollam.From stage roots to screen presenceRajendran’s journey into the arts began on the stage, where he first discovered his passion for performance. Born to Ayyappan and Sumathi in the Engoor Tharavadu at Thrithallur in Thrissur district, he showed an early inclination towards acting during his school days at Thrithallur U P School. His participation in literary society plays laid the foundation for what would become a lifelong commitment to the performing arts.After completing his college education, Rajendran joined the National School of Drama in Delhi, graduating with first rank, a testament to his dedication and craft. He later honed his skills further by pursuing a television course at the Film and Television Institute of India, equipping himself with a deeper understanding of the medium.A life intertwined with theatre and familyIt was during this period that Rajendran met Sandhya, daughter of veteran actor O Madhavan, and sister of Mukesh. Their shared passion for theatre soon turned into a partnership in life, with the two getting married while Sandhya was still a student at the Thrissur School of Drama.Following their marriage, Rajendran settled in Kollam and became closely associated with Kalidasa Kalakendram, the theatre troupe led by his father-in-law. Here, he found a creative home, contributing significantly to its productions and growth. One of his notable achievements was adapting a Russian novel into a stage play with the support of playwright Jose Chirammal. The production went on to win the Kerala State Government Award for Best Play in 1987.For several years, Rajendran and Sandhya were central figures in the troupe’s performances, shaping its identity and repertoire. During this period, Sandhya was honoured with the State Award for Best Theatre Actress, reflecting the couple’s strong presence in Kerala’s theatre circuit. Cinema, television and beyondAlthough Rajendran stepped into cinema early with Greeshmam, directed by V R Gopinath, consistent opportunities in films did not immediately follow. It was after a considerable gap that he returned to the screen with Kaliyattam, directed by Jayaraj. The film marked a turning point, leading to a steady stream of roles in Malayalam cinema.Over the years, he appeared in around sixty films, taking on a wide range of characters that spanned antagonistic roles to nuanced supporting parts. His performances in films like Pranayavarnangal, Daya and Pattabhishekam showcased his ability to adapt to different genres and storytelling styles.In addition to films, Rajendran was a familiar presence on Malayalam television, appearing in several serials that brought him into households across the state. His contributions were not limited to the arts alone. He also served as Chairman of the State Horticulture Corporation, balancing public service with his creative pursuits.Rajendran’s passing marks the end of a career that quietly but consistently enriched Malayalam performing arts. From his early days on stage to his work in cinema and television, he remained committed to his craft, leaving behind a body of work that reflects both versatility and dedication.Also Read: Tovino Thomas’ Pallichattambi Teaser Drops As Makers Shift Release Date。
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