Labour wins West Lancs by-election
Their candidate Ashley Dalton received over 14,000 votes
Last updated 10th Feb 2023
Labour have won the West Lancashire by-election taking 62% of the vote.
Their candidate Ashley Dalton received 14,068 votes, beating the second-placed Conservative candidate, Mike Prendergast by 8,326.
Speaking after her win the new MP said:
"My biggest thanks is to every single person across West Lancashire who has put their trust in me to be your voice in parliament and tonight the people of West Lancashire have spoken on behalf of the country.
"They have sent a message to this conservative government, they do not have confidence in them to govern or the prime minister to lead.
"Prime Minister, your government has no ideas or a plan to address the big issues facing our country like the record levels of child poverty and people dying waiting for ambulances.
"It's not acceptable that children in West Lancashire if they fall ill at night they can't be taken to their local A&E because it has been closed."
The results in full
Liberal Democrats, Jo Barto - 918 (4.07%)
Green Party, Peter Craine - 646 (2.86%)
Labour Party, Ashley Dalton - 14,068 (62.30%)
Monster Raving Looney Party, Howling Laud Hope - 210 (0.93%)
Reform UK, Jonathan Kay - 997 (4.42%)
Conservative, Mike Prendergast - 5,742 (25.43%)
31.36% of those eligible to vote, or 22,639 people, cast a vote in the election.
It's Labour's third by-election victory in three months after previously keeping hold of both Chester and Stretford & Urmston in December.
Why was the election held?
The election was called after former MP Rosie Cooper announced she would step down from the role last year.
Posting a statement on Twitter, she said she had accepted the position of Chair of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust:
"This appointment means I am unable to continue with my other passion of representing the people of West Lancashire as their MP, being their voice and fighting their corner as I have done since 2005.
"It has been an incredible honour and privilege to have served the people of West Lancashire for the last 17 years. I have loved every minute, even in the most difficult times.
"I appreciate this will come as a surprise to many people having recently secured reselection to stand as West Lancashire's Labour Party Candidate for the next general election. This was prior to the recruitment process for the Mersey Care position.
"This decision to apply for the role was taken after a considerable period of soul-searching and reflection. The events I have faced over the last few years are well documented and undoubtedly have taken their toll."
Jack Renshaw is serving a life sentence for plotting to murder the MP in 2017.
She added: "The National Health Service is one of my passions. Prior to entering Parliament, I had dedicated many years of service to the NHS and have been able to serve on the Health and Social Care Committee during my time as MP.
"To return to the NHS as chairman of Mersey Care felt like the right opportunity at the right time. This appointment means I am unable to continue with my other passion of representing the people of West Lancashire as their MP, being their voice and fighting their corner as I have done since 2005."