Labour has overturned a 11,220 Conservative majority to win Chris Skidmore’s former seat in Kingswood.
Find out moreSir Keir Starmer hails the "fantastic" result, saying "people are ready to put their trust in a Labour government"
Despite Labour's advance, the Green Party managed to win 3.4% of the vote in Kingswood - the fifth best result the party has ever achieved in a by-election. And the fact that Reform have risen to a third will raise the eyebrows of some on the Conservative backbenches. Speaking to BBC News, he says Labour has won tonight by a margin of 10 percentage points, compared to larger majorities in 1997, and 2001, and 2005.
The figure is broadly similar to its current ratings in national polls - and well above what it achieved in recent by-elections in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire .Many of the tables have stopped counting, all the candidates are now here and gathered in small groups with their supporters.More now from the new MP in Kingswood, Damien Egan, who says that winning the seat"feels amazing" but that there's"so much to do".
He points out that if you add together the Reform UK and Conservative vote it is more than Labour's - and that the Labour Party previously held the seat from 1997 to 2010. He says the party can be reassured to some extent by the low turnout as a lot of Tory voters appeared to stay at home.In his victory speech a short time ago, Labour's winning candidate in Kingswood, Damien Egan, thanked voters for"giving me your trust and for allowing me to serve the community that I'm from".
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Polls close in Wellingborough and Kingswood by-elections as Rishi Sunak faces double defeatPolls have closed in the Wellingborough and Kingswood by-elections as Rishi Sunak faces a double defeat.
Read more »
Blow For Rishi Sunak As Labour Wins Safe Tory Kingswood Seat In By-ElectionKevin Schofield is Politics Editor of HuffPost UK.
Read more »
By-election results will provide important clues ahead of next general electionNext week voters go to the polls in twin elections at Kingswood and Wellingborough - with the Tories facing a threat not just from Labour, but from Reform UK too. But emerging divisions within Labour could also check its electoral progress.
Read more »
The Tories have got their own by-election woesConservatives look anxiously to Wellingborough on Thursday,
Read more »
Wellingborough: Calls for action on gangs at by-election debateKnife crime and gang culture are discussed by candidates ahead of the Wellingborough by-election.
Read more »
Wellingborough by-election: Residents' questions answered by candidatesFrom town centre improvements to youth facilities locals share their views.
Read more »