Labour loses Copeland by-election but sees off Ukip to retain Stoke Central

Kate Proctor24 February 2017
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The Conservatives have dealt Labour a humiliating blow after snatching Copeland in a historic by-election victory.

Labour had been celebrating the night after the party had held off a concerted challenge from Ukip leader Paul Nuttall to retain Stoke Central, only to see Tory Trudy Harrison take Copeland.

It had been held by Jeremy Corbyn's party since the constituency was formed in 1983 but Ms Harrison defeated Gillian Troughton by 2,147 votes.

It is the first time a governing party has gained a seat in a vote outside of a general election since 1982, the year before the Labour leader was first elected to Parliament.

Ms Harrison said her victory showed “the people are ready for change“ and that voters' dislike of Mr Corbyn had “contributed“ to her win.

The Labour leader admitted the party had failed to get its message through in Cumbria.

In her victory speech, Ms Harrison said the result was a “truly historic event”.

She said: “It's been very clear talking to people throughout this campaign that Jeremy Corbyn doesn't represent them.

“They want a party which is on the side of ordinary working people, which will respect the way we voted in the referendum and which will build a country which represents everyone.

“That's why they voted for me tonight.”

Copeland

Candidate Party  
Trudy Harrison Con 13,748 (44.25%, +8.46%)
Gillian Troughton Lab 11,601 (37.34%, -4.92%)
Rebecca Hanson Lib Dem 2,252 (7.25%, +3.80%)
Fiona Mills Ukip 2,025 (6.52%, -9.00%)
Michael Guest Ind 811 (2.61%)
Jack Lenox Green 515 (1.66%, -1.32%)
Roy Ivinson Ind 116 (0.37%)

Con majority: 2,147 (6.91%)

6.69% swing Labour to Conservative

Electorate 60,602; Turnout 31,068 (51.27%, -12.53%)

In Stoke, the expected threat from Mr Nuttall failed to materialise with the party finishing second with 5179 votes.

The Ukip leader needed a police escort as he left the election count, but told journalists beforehand “we are not going anywhere”.

In his victory speech, Labour candidate Gareth Snell said: “This city will not allow ourselves to be defined by last year’s referendum. And we will not allow ourselves to be divided by the result.

Victory: Labour candidate Gareth Snell celebrates with his wife Sophia after winning the Stoke Central by-election
Joe Giddens/PA Wire

“So for those who have come to Stoke-on-Trent to sow hatred and division, and to try to turn us away from our friends and neighbours, I have one message – you have failed.”

The former leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme local authority suffered a bruising election campaign after being forced to apologize for a string of derogatory Tweets about women.

Storm Doris battered the Potteries throughout polling day, which some speculated would lead to a low turnout.

However turnout was a higher than predicted 38 per cent.

Labour has held the seat since 1950 and Mr Corbyn said: “Stoke has rejected UKIP’s division and dishonesty. UKIP’s claim to represent the working class people as been exposed as a sham.”

However he added both constituencies had been “let down” by the political establishment.

Mr Corbyn said: “Our message was not enough to win through in Copeland.

Defeated: Ukip candidate and party leader Paul Nuttall after losing the Stoke Central by-election
Joe Giddens/PA Wire

“In both campaigns, Labour listened to thousands of voters on the doorstep.

“Both constituencies, like so many in Britain, have been let down by the political establishment.

“To win power to rebuild and transform Britain, Labour will go further to reconnect with voters and break with the failed political consensus.”

Campaign coordinator Jack Dromey, MP for Birmingham Erdington, said Stoke's result was a defining moment in British politics, adding “arguably it’s the most important by-election in 20 years.”

Stoke Central

Candidate Party Votes
Gareth Snell Lab 7,853 (37.09%, -2.22%)
Paul Nuttall Ukip 5,233 (24.72%, +2.07%)
Jack Brereton Con 5,154 (24.35%, +1.80%)
Zulfiqar Ali Lib Dem 2,083 (9.84%, +5.67%)
Adam Colclough Green 294 (1.39%, -2.22%)
Barbara Fielding Ind 137 (0.65%)
The Incredible Flying Brick Loony 127 (0.60%)
David Furness BNP 124 (0.59%)
Godfrey Davies CPA 109 (0.51%)
Mohammad Akram Ind 56 (0.26%)

Lab majority: 2,620 (12.38%)

2.14% swing Labour to Ukip

Electorate 57,701; Turnout 21,170 (36.69%, -13.24%)

Mr Nuttall, who was quizzed by reporters after his defeat on Hillsborough and the future of UKIP, said: “Lots more seats will happen where we will have success in the future.”

Additional reporting by the Press Association

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