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Cocoa Works York
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Cocoa Works York

Labour makes history winning the Selby and Ainsty seat

Thu 20 Jul 2023 @ 10:00pm - News
David Dunning

By election winner and Labour Party candidate Keir Mather speaks at Selby Leisure Centre. Photograph: Danny Lawson / PA wire

Labour has won the election for the Selby and Ainsty Constituency with a majority of more than 4,000.

The party has made history by overturning its biggest-ever majority of 20,137 at a by-election.

Keir Mather will be the youngest MP in parliament at the age of 25.

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By election winner and Labour Party candidate Keir Mather (left) at Selby Leisure CentreDanny Lawson/PA Wire

He said: “I want to begin my time as your MP by being very clear: I understand the enormity of what has just happened, I know what an honour this is, and I am humbled by this opportunity to serve.

“We have re-written the rules on where Labour can win. Thousands of the votes cast yesterday were in Labour’s box for the very first time. For those of you who have put your faith in our party: thank you.”

A man walks past a polling station sign outside Selby Community Centre – Danny Lawson/PA Wire
Selby and Ainsty by-election result. Infographic PA Graphics.
Keir Mather talks to the press after his Selby win. Photograph: Danny Lawson / PA wire

Following the Selby and Ainsty victory, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: “This is a historic result that shows that people are looking at Labour and seeing a changed party that is focused entirely on the priorities of working people with an ambitious, practical plan to deliver.

“Keir Mather will be a fantastic MP who will deliver the fresh start Selby and Ainsty deserves.

“It is clear just how powerful the demand for change is. Voters put their trust in us — many for the first time.

“After 13 years of Tory chaos, only Labour can give the country its hope, its optimism and its future back.”

The swing from Conservative to Labour at Selby & Ainsty of 23.7 percentage points is the second largest swing managed by Labour at a by-election since 1945.

It is not quite as large as the record 29.1 point swing achieved by Labour at the Dudley West by-election in December 1994.

After Keir Mather’s speech, defeated Conservative candidate Claire Holmes left Selby Leisure Centre, where the count was being held, without talking to reporters.

The by-election was called when Nigel Adams quit as the MP.

The Boris Johnson ally said on leaving parliament: “It is essential that the Conservatives under Rishi Sunak win the next election and I will do my utmost to ensure that happens.”

Nigel Adams Former MP

The Full result of the Selby and Ainsty by-election:

Keir Mather (Lab) 16,456 (45.96%)
Claire Holmes (C) 12,295 (34.34%)
Arnold Warneken (Green) 1,838 (5.13%)
Mike Jordan (ND) 1,503 (4.20%)
Dave Kent (Reform) 1,332 (3.72%)
Matt Walker (LD) 1,188 (3.32%)
Nick Palmer (Ind) 342 (0.96%)
John Waterston (Soc Dem) 314 (0.88%)
Sir Archibald Stanton (Loony) 172 (0.48%)
Guy Phoenix (Heritage) 162 (0.45%)
Andrew Gray (ND) 99 (0.28%)
Tyler Wilson-Kerr (Ind) 67 (0.19%)
Luke Wellock (Climate) 39 (0.11%)
Lab maj 4,161 (11.62%)
Electorate 80,159; Turnout 35,807 (44.67%, -27.00%)

More on the other By-elections:

02:55 LATEST: The Lib Dems take Somerton and Frome in the West Country overturning a 19,213 Tory majority. The final count was 21,187 for Sarah Dyke of the Lib Dems, 10,179 for Faye Purbrick of the Conservative Party and 1,009 for Labour’s Neil Guild. Sarah Dyke said the result showed that the Lib Dems were back in the West Country.

02:40 Uxbridge and South Ruislip has been won by the Conservatives. The final count was 13,965 for the Conservatives and 13,470 for Labour. There was a recount of Tory and Labour votes. The majority was 495 votes.

The new MP Steve Tuckwell said the result was because of the London Labour Mayor pushing the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) policy and extending it to outer areas of London. If your vehicle doesn’t meet the ULEZ emissions standards and isn’t exempt, you need to pay a £12.50 daily charge to drive within the zone. The turnout for the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election was 46.23%.

Turnout details are now available from Selby. It’s 44.77 percent.

The turnout for the #SelbyAndAinsty by-election was 44.77%.

Watch as Richard Flinton, Acting Returning Officer and chief executive of the council announces the figures.

Find full details at https://t.co/M1DKmolvRb pic.twitter.com/AYwvQ6KJNl

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) July 21, 2023

Counting of votes is now well on its way for the #SelbyAndAinsty by-election.

See full details at https://t.co/M1DKmolvRb pic.twitter.com/ae3FjHjIcr

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) July 21, 2023

Earlier we reported:

The other two by-elections are Somerton and Frome, and Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

The seats were held by David Warburton and Boris Johnson.

The Conservatives hold majorities of around 20,000 in Selby and Ainsty and Somerton and Frome – but a smaller majority in Uxbridge and South Ruislip

It’s the biggest test so far for the PM and North Yorkshire (Richmond) MP Rishi Sunak.

For Labour, winning the Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat vacated by Mr Johnson and the Selby and Ainsty constituency would be a major boost for Sir Keir Starmer.

In Somerton and Frome, in a contest triggered by the resignation of scandal-hit David Warburton, the Liberal Democrats hope to add to a series of eye-catching recent by-election victories.

Losses for the Tories in all of them would be the first time in 55 years that a government has been defeated in three by-elections on the same day.

While Mr Johnson only held his seat with a majority of 7,210 as he led the party to a national landslide in 2019

Polls for the #SelbyandAinsty by-election closed at 10pm and the first ballot box has already arrived at the count.

Find full details at https://t.co/M1DKmolvRb pic.twitter.com/9cz8pVGOgz

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) July 20, 2023
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Counting begins at Selby Leisure Centre Danny Lawson/PA Wire

One of the big issues, which has been reflected in all areas, is the current cost of living.

The NHS is a uniting topic too, with waiting lists and access to GPs on many people’s minds.

There were 13 candidates in the Selby and Ainsty Constituency.

Labour has been seeking to overturn the Tories’ 20,000 majority and if successful he would be the UK’s youngest MP.  Keir Maher is 25. The Oxford graduate, from Hull, has said his age means he can relate to younger voters who are struggling to get on the housing ladder and facing a lack of economic opportunity.

Claire Holmes has been defending the seat for the Conservatives  She vowed to work closely with the government to help it achieve its five priorities, which include halving inflation and “stopping the boats”.

Matt Walker was standing for the Liberal Democrats and his campaign has focused on the state of the NHS

Green party candidate Arnold Warneken supported more investment in public transport and decarbonising energy 

Entrepreneur Andrew Gray, an Independent, has dubbed himself the ‘AI candidate’ based on his focus on Artificial Intelligence. 

Mike Jordan, a North Yorkshire Councillor, was standing for the Yorkshire Party, which wants a regional parliament.

Dave Kent was standing for Reform UK – a right-wing party originally founded by Nigel Farage

Yorkshire business executive Nick Palmer said he was standing as an independent in response to voter apathy.

Local businessman Guy Phoenix stood for the Heritage Party, to protect traditional values.

Sir Archibald Stanton represented the Official Monster Raving Loony Party.

John Waterston of the Social Democratic Party was focused on improving transport links, 

Luke Wellock wanted to make climate change the top priority.

Tyler Wilson-Kerr‘s priorities included greater devolution for Yorkshire and rent controls.

[tptn_list limit=3 daily=1 hour_range=1]

Thu 20 Jul, 2023

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