Labour regain Blackpool South in landslide by-election victory

Friday, 3 May 2024 07:17

Labour have swept to victory in the Blackpool South by-election with a landslide win.

New MP Chris Webb secured a 26.3% swing of the vote, to win with a majority of 7,607.

Conservative David Jones only beat Reform UK's Mark Butcher into second place by 117 votes.

The by-election was triggered by former Tory MP Scott Benton's resignation.

The votes cast were as follows:

Turnout

Electorate - 56,696
Verified ballot papers - 18,448
Turnout - 32.54%

Mr Webb said: ‘’"The people of Blackpool have spoken for Britain.

"They have had enough of this failed government, people no longer trust the Conservatives."

"Prime Minister - do the decent thing: admit you've failed and call a general election."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer added: ‘’This is the one contest where voters had the chance to send a message to Rishi Sunak's Conservatives directly," he said, "and that message is an overwhelming vote for change.

"The swing towards the Labour Party in Blackpool South is truly historic and shows that we are firmly back in the service of working people."

Mr Webb becomes only the second Labour MP to represent Blackpool South.

Gordon Marsden held the seat from 1997 until the December 2019.

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