Westminster

An Overview of the Recent General Election – What’s Happened In Northamptonshire

Yesterday’s General Election has brought significant changes to Northamptonshire’s political landscape, with six new MPs elected, five of which are representing Labour.

This shift marks a notable change from the previous Conservative presence in the region with the constituencies of Northampton North, Northampton South, Corby & East Northants, Wellingborough & Rushden, and Kettering all transitioning from Conservative to Labour representation, while South Northants and Daventry remain under Conservative control.

 

Election Night Developments

The election results were met with jubilation among Labour supporters, as victory after victory was announced across two election halls in Kettering and Northampton.

The first result for Northamptonshire came in at about 4:45 am for Northampton South, where Labour’s Mike Reader secured 16,890 votes, defeating Conservative Andrew Lewer, who received 12,819 votes. Reform UK came in third with 8,210 votes. In his victory speech, Mike Reader, who has a background in the construction industry, expressed his gratitude and commitment to working tirelessly for the town in Westminster.

 

Corby & East Northants and Other Key Constituencies

In Corby & East Northants, Lee Barron emerged victorious with 21,020 votes, capturing 42% of the vote share. Tom Pursglove, the Conservative candidate received 14,689 votes, while Reform UK gained 8,760 votes. Lee Barron, a union official, emphasised the hard work and dedication that led to his win, highlighting Labour’s opportunity to deliver the government people deserve.

Gen Kitchen, Labour’s only MP following a by-election in February, successfully retained her seat in Wellingborough & Rushden. Rosie Wrighting also made a significant impact by defeating long-time Kettering MP Philip Hollobone, who gracefully acknowledged Wrighting’s effective campaign in his concession speech.

In Northampton North, Labour’s Lucy Rigby secured a substantial victory with 18,209 votes, nearly doubling the votes of Conservative newcomer Dan Bennett, who received 9,195 votes. Reform UK placed third with 7,010 votes. Rigby recognised the immense scale of work ahead, reflecting on the change voters demanded through their support.

 

Conservative Retentions in South Northants and Daventry

The Conservatives experienced some positive results, with Sarah Bool winning in South Northants and Stuart Andrew in Daventry. Bool, with previous election experience in London and familial ties to local politics, received 19,191 votes, with a turnout of 68.8%, the highest in the county. Labour’s Rufia Ashraf came in second with 15,504 votes. Bool expressed her commitment to protecting and serving the constituency.

Stuart Andrew, previously the MP for Pudsey in Yorkshire, emphasised his dedication to the Daventry constituency, promising to work hard for all its parts. He acknowledged the challenging night for the Conservative Party and called for unity moving forward.

 

The Role of Reform UK and Other Parties

Reform UK, under the leadership of Nigel Farage, significantly impacted the election by placing second in several parts of the country, including Northamptonshire. Their performance, particularly notable in areas where they surpassed the Liberal Democrats, highlighted their growing influence.

Nationally, the Liberal Democrats gained 71 seats, and the Greens also saw success in Kettering, where candidate Emily Fedorowycz secured 7,004 votes, gaining 14% of the vote share.

The General Election has reshaped Northamptonshire’s political representation, with six new Labour MPs joining the ranks. This change signifies a new chapter for the county, with elected representatives from both Labour and Conservative parties committed to addressing local issues and serving their communities in Westminster.

 

The full results are as follows:

Corby and East Northamptonshire

Lee Barron (Labour) – 21,020 – ELECTED

Tom Pursglove (Conservative) – 14,689

Eddie McDonald (Reform) – 8,760

Lee Forster (Green) – 2,507

Chris Lofts (Lib Dem) – 2,191

Karen Elizabeth Blott (Independent) – 422

 

Daventry

Stuart Andrew (Conservative) – 17,872 – ELECTED

Marianne Kimani (Labour) – 14,860

Scott Cameron (Reform) – 10,636

Jonathan Harris (Lib Dem) – 6,755

Clare Slater (Green) – 2,959

 

Kettering

Rosie Wrighting (Labour) – 18,009 – ELECTED

Philip Hollobone (Conservative) – 14,189

Crispian Besley (Reform) – 8,468

Emily Fedorowycz (Green) – 7,004

Sarah Ryan (Lib Dem) – 1,357

Jim Hakewill (Independent) – 1,057

Matthew Murphy (SDP) – 85

Jehad Soliman Aburamadan (ADF) – 62

 

Northampton North

Lucy Rigby (Labour) – 18,209 – ELECTED

Dan Bennett (Conservative) – 9,195

Antony Antoniou (Reform) – 7,010

Eishar Kaur Bassan (Green) – 2,558

Chris Leggett (Lib Dems) – 2,251

Khalid Razzaq (Worker’s Party) – 1,531

Paul Clark (Independent) – 1,059

 

Northampton South

Mike Reader (Labour) – 16,801 – ELECTED

Andrew Lewer (Conservatives) – 12,819

Tony Owens (Reform UK) – 8,210

Jill Hope (Lib Dems) – 3,193

Simon Sneddon (Green) – 2,398

Katie Simpson (TUSC) – 296

Penelope Lucy Tollitt (Climate) – 98

 

South Northamptonshire

Sarah Bool (Conservatives) – 19,191 – ELECTED

Rufia Ashraf (Labour) – 15,504

Paul Hogan (Reform) – 8,962

Stewart Tolley (Lib Dems) – 4,989

Emmie Williamson (Green) – 3,040

Ian McCord (Independent) – 1,556

Mick Stott (Worker’s Party) – 246

Stuart McCutcheon (Independent) – 209

 

Wellingborough and Rushden

Gen Kitchen (Labour) – 17,734 – ELECTED

David Goss (Conservative) – 12,248

Ben Habib (Reform) – 9,456

Jeremy Brittin (Green) – 2,704

Christopher Townsend (Lib Dem)- 1,570

Jeremy Brittin (SDP) – 273

 

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