05 Jul 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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