Wellingborough by-election results: a win for the Labour party
The by-election result means the Northamptonshire town now has Gen Kitchen as their MP
Last updated 16th Feb 2024
The ballots have been counted overnight in the Wellingborough by election. In the early hours of Friday 16th February the winning candidate has been named as Gen Kitchen from the Labour party.
The election turn out was 38.1% which is equivalent to 30,231 people.
The by election was called following a recall petition in the Northamptonshire constituency.
Gen Kitchen won for Labour with an over 6500 majority, with 13,844 votes, followed by Helen Harrison for the Conservatives on 7,408 and Ben Habib for Reform UK coming third with 3,919 votes.
Gen Kitchen spoke to our reporter Fraser Day at the count:
The by-election in Wellingborough comes after former Tory MP Peter Bone received a six-week suspension from the Commons when an inquiry found he had subjected a staff member to bullying and sexual misconduct. Allegations he has always denied.
He won the Northamptonshire constituency at every general election from 2005 to 2019, with Labour coming second in four of the five contests and Ukip in 2015. His majority in 2019 was 36% at 18,540 votes.
Peter Bone's partner Helen Harrison stood as the Conservative candidate. Speaking to us before the result Ms Harrison said: “Crime is a pressing concern for our community, and I am committed to ensuring the safety and security of Wellingborough and Rushden residents." She left without speaking to the press after the count.
The third placed party was Reform UK with Ben Habib, who received 13% of the vote.
Here's what he said to our reporter at the count in Kettering:
The Lib Dem candidate Ana Savage Gunn told us before the by-election result that her background in policing made her "uniquely poised to be able to help." She received 1,422 votes.
28 year old Labour Party Candidate Gen Kitchen was the favourite going into the by election which was considered a two-horse race between the Tory and Labour candidates. She began her political career in Newham in East London at 22 years old.
Due to new laws brought in by the Government, voters had to bring photo ID - such as a passport or driving licence - in order to cast their ballots. Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.