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| Jeremy Corbyn hails Oldham West and Royton by-election victory | Jeremy Corbyn hails Oldham West and Royton by-election victory |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has hailed a "vote of confidence" in his party after it comfortably held the Oldham West and Royton seat in a by-election. | |
| Its candidate Jim McMahon secured a 10,835 majority from UKIP's John Bickley and a 62% vote share that was higher than at the general election. | Its candidate Jim McMahon secured a 10,835 majority from UKIP's John Bickley and a 62% vote share that was higher than at the general election. |
| The Conservatives came third in the poll, triggered by the death of long-serving Labour MP Michael Meacher. | The Conservatives came third in the poll, triggered by the death of long-serving Labour MP Michael Meacher. |
| Mr McMahon said he had "delivered a result that Michael would be proud of". | Mr McMahon said he had "delivered a result that Michael would be proud of". |
| Labour was defending a 14,738 majority from the general election. While its total majority was lower this time around, it ended up with a higher vote share as the turnout - just over 40% - was lower than at May's poll. | Labour was defending a 14,738 majority from the general election. While its total majority was lower this time around, it ended up with a higher vote share as the turnout - just over 40% - was lower than at May's poll. |
| 'Clear demonstration' | 'Clear demonstration' |
| The by-election - the first of this Parliament - was also the first major electoral test for Mr Corbyn, who was elected leader by more than half the party's membership in September. | The by-election - the first of this Parliament - was also the first major electoral test for Mr Corbyn, who was elected leader by more than half the party's membership in September. |
| He has faced criticism from some within his party, with few of his MPs having backed his leadership campaign while senior figures warned he would damage Labour's electoral chances. | He has faced criticism from some within his party, with few of his MPs having backed his leadership campaign while senior figures warned he would damage Labour's electoral chances. |
| Mr Corbyn said: "By-elections can be difficult for the party holding the seat, and turnouts are often low. | Mr Corbyn said: "By-elections can be difficult for the party holding the seat, and turnouts are often low. |
| "But to increase our share of the vote since the general election is a vote of confidence in our party. | "But to increase our share of the vote since the general election is a vote of confidence in our party. |
| "It's a clear demonstration that Labour is the party working people trust." | "It's a clear demonstration that Labour is the party working people trust." |
| Analysis | Analysis |
| Arif Ansari, BBC North West political editor | Arif Ansari, BBC North West political editor |
| This was a surprise result for Labour, but an unexpectedly good one. | This was a surprise result for Labour, but an unexpectedly good one. |
| Not only was it almost 11,000 votes ahead of UKIP, the party also increased its vote share. Only a fortnight ago some were predicting a shock defeat. | Not only was it almost 11,000 votes ahead of UKIP, the party also increased its vote share. Only a fortnight ago some were predicting a shock defeat. |
| Nobody anticipated a victory on this scale. Undoubtedly a large part of it must be down to the candidate Jim McMahon, the former council leader. | Nobody anticipated a victory on this scale. Undoubtedly a large part of it must be down to the candidate Jim McMahon, the former council leader. |
| He was recognised as the local candidate. But UKIP tried to turn this into a referendum on Jeremy Corbyn, even branding him a "security risk". Clearly it failed and suggests he's not as politically toxic as his opponents wish. | He was recognised as the local candidate. But UKIP tried to turn this into a referendum on Jeremy Corbyn, even branding him a "security risk". Clearly it failed and suggests he's not as politically toxic as his opponents wish. |
| UKIP blames the postal vote and the number of Asian voters who use it. But that's the system the party is up against. | UKIP blames the postal vote and the number of Asian voters who use it. But that's the system the party is up against. |
| UKIP's result was far worse than Heywood and Middleton and much more disappointing than it expected. And it leaves them struggling with a strategy to win seats from Labour in the north of England. | UKIP's result was far worse than Heywood and Middleton and much more disappointing than it expected. And it leaves them struggling with a strategy to win seats from Labour in the north of England. |
| Mr McMahon, 35, is the leader of Oldham Council and Labour's most senior representative in the Local Government Association. He is regarded as being a centrist within the Labour Party. | Mr McMahon, 35, is the leader of Oldham Council and Labour's most senior representative in the Local Government Association. He is regarded as being a centrist within the Labour Party. |
| He said it was a "staggering" result for his party. | He said it was a "staggering" result for his party. |
| He added: "My sole focus has always been on what is best for Oldham. I want to make our town a better place for my sons to grow up in and make it somewhere they can be proud of. My priority will always be Oldham." | He added: "My sole focus has always been on what is best for Oldham. I want to make our town a better place for my sons to grow up in and make it somewhere they can be proud of. My priority will always be Oldham." |
| The Conservatives came third, with their vote share down by almost 10%. | The Conservatives came third, with their vote share down by almost 10%. |
| UKIP, which has been targeting Labour's vote in its northern strongholds, had hoped to make the by-election a close-fought contest. | UKIP, which has been targeting Labour's vote in its northern strongholds, had hoped to make the by-election a close-fought contest. |
| But the outcome was clear early in the evening and Labour activists cheered their candidate when he arrived at Oldham's Queen Elizabeth Hall for the count. | But the outcome was clear early in the evening and Labour activists cheered their candidate when he arrived at Oldham's Queen Elizabeth Hall for the count. |
| Mr Bickley, nearly overturned an 11,000 Labour majority at the Heywood and Middleton by-election in October 2014, losing by just 600 votes. | Mr Bickley, nearly overturned an 11,000 Labour majority at the Heywood and Middleton by-election in October 2014, losing by just 600 votes. |
| He said Oldham West and Royton was a "different type of constituency with different demographics" in what he said was a "very strong Labour heartland". | He said Oldham West and Royton was a "different type of constituency with different demographics" in what he said was a "very strong Labour heartland". |
| UKIP also complained about the number of postal votes cast in the by-election. | UKIP also complained about the number of postal votes cast in the by-election. |
| The full result | The full result |