Labour defeat Tories to win Tamworth seat in by-election
It was by a majority of 1,000 votes.
Last updated 20th Oct 2023
It was a shock victory for Labour, who have gained the Tamworth seat from a strong Conservative hold.
It was a majority for Labour by 1,000 votes.
A by-election was called after former Tory whip, Chris Pincher, resigned from being an MP after losing his appeal against a suspension for drunkenly groping two men.
This led to the Tamworth seat being left open.
The turnout for the vote was 35.9 percent, which is almost half of the turnout in 2019.
Just 25,630 residents casted a vote.
Tories had held onto Tamworth for 13 years, since a steal from Labour during the 2010 General Election.
New Tamworth MP, Sarah Edwards, said: "Tonight we have turned the page on Tory neglect and delivered a fresh start for Tamworth and our villages."
In a message to her electorate, she said: "I know a lot of you have voted Labour for the first time and I will not let you down.
"I've spoken to many people in this campaign and the same conversation has been repeated: people feel worse off after 13 years of the Conservatives and don't feel like the Government have a plan to address the big issues that face our country."
She added: "My message to the Prime Minister is get in your government car, drive to Buckingham Palace, do the decent thing and call a general election."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "This is a phenomenal result that shows Labour is back in the service of working people and redrawing the political map.
"To those who have given us their trust, and those considering doing so, Labour will spend every day acting in your interests and focused on your priorities. Labour will give Britain its future back."
Kier Starmer will be coming to Tamworth in the coming hours.