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All eyes on Witney by-election as votes counted Labour holds killed Jo Cox's former seat
(about 1 hour later)
Counting is under way in by-elections for former PM David Cameron's Witney seat and the constituency held by Labour MP Jo Cox before she was killed. Labour has held the Batley and Spen seat where Jo Cox was MP before she was killed, while a result is awaited in David Cameron's former constituency.
As the other main parties are not contesting Batley and Spen, as a mark of respect for Mrs Cox, all eyes will be on the result in Witney. As the other main parties did not contest Batley and Spen, as a mark of respect for Mrs Cox, all eyes are be on the result in Witney.
It is the first electoral test for the Conservatives since Theresa May succeeded Mr Cameron as PM in July.It is the first electoral test for the Conservatives since Theresa May succeeded Mr Cameron as PM in July.
Mr Cameron won the seat comfortably with 60% of the vote in 2015.Mr Cameron won the seat comfortably with 60% of the vote in 2015.
The former PM had a majority of more than 25,000 votes in the Oxfordshire seat. Labour came second, after the Lib Dems locally, in common with the party's performance nationally, saw a significant drop in support.The former PM had a majority of more than 25,000 votes in the Oxfordshire seat. Labour came second, after the Lib Dems locally, in common with the party's performance nationally, saw a significant drop in support.
Barrister Robert Courts, a local councillor, is hoping to succeed Mr Cameron for the Conservatives, and is up against 13 other candidates including Labour's Duncan Enright, Lib Dem Elizabeth Leffman and UKIP's Kenrick Bird.Barrister Robert Courts, a local councillor, is hoping to succeed Mr Cameron for the Conservatives, and is up against 13 other candidates including Labour's Duncan Enright, Lib Dem Elizabeth Leffman and UKIP's Kenrick Bird.
Mr Courts has had some heavyweight support on the campaign trail - both Mr Cameron and Mrs May have been out knocking on voters' doors. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has also visited the constituency to support Mr Enright while Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has been out to meet voters and back Ms Leffman.Mr Courts has had some heavyweight support on the campaign trail - both Mr Cameron and Mrs May have been out knocking on voters' doors. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has also visited the constituency to support Mr Enright while Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has been out to meet voters and back Ms Leffman.
On Thursday, former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said a "dramatic upset" in the form of a Lib Dem win was unlikely, given Mr Cameron's majority of 25,000 votes, but urged Witney voters to use the poll to "send a powerful message to Theresa May" against a "hard Brexit".On Thursday, former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said a "dramatic upset" in the form of a Lib Dem win was unlikely, given Mr Cameron's majority of 25,000 votes, but urged Witney voters to use the poll to "send a powerful message to Theresa May" against a "hard Brexit".
The result will be studied for signs of public support or discontent with Mrs May, who succeeded Mr Cameron after he quit as PM in the wake of the EU referendum, having campaigned for a Remain vote.The result will be studied for signs of public support or discontent with Mrs May, who succeeded Mr Cameron after he quit as PM in the wake of the EU referendum, having campaigned for a Remain vote.
But as the Lib Dems also have a new leader, any improvement in the party's fortunes may be taken as a sign that Mr Farron's pro-EU stance is winning over voters.But as the Lib Dems also have a new leader, any improvement in the party's fortunes may be taken as a sign that Mr Farron's pro-EU stance is winning over voters.
The Labour result will be examined for signs that party leader Jeremy Corbyn, re-elected in September, is able to reach out beyond party members to the wider electorate.The Labour result will be examined for signs that party leader Jeremy Corbyn, re-elected in September, is able to reach out beyond party members to the wider electorate.
In Batley and Spen, where Mrs Cox was shot and stabbed in June, her friend - the actress Tracy Brabin - is expected to hold the seat for Labour as the Conservatives, Lib Dems, UKIP and the Greens are not standing a candidate. She is one of 10 candidates, who include some independents, English Democrats, BNP and National Front candidates. In Batley and Spen, where Mrs Cox was shot and stabbed in June, her friend - the former Coronation Street actress Tracy Brabin - held the seat for Labour as the Conservatives, Lib Dems, UKIP and the Greens did not stand a candidate.
Mrs Brabin said her victory in Batley and Spen was "bittersweet", adding that she hoped Mrs Cox would be proud that the community had spoken with one voice.
She was one of 10 candidates, who included some independents, English Democrats, BNP and National Front candidates.
Mrs Cox was elected in 2015 with a majority of more than 6,000 votes and 43% of the vote. The Conservatives came second and UKIP came third.Mrs Cox was elected in 2015 with a majority of more than 6,000 votes and 43% of the vote. The Conservatives came second and UKIP came third.
A man has been charged with her murder and is awaiting trial.A man has been charged with her murder and is awaiting trial.