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Labour holds killed Jo Cox's former seat Labour holds killed Jo Cox's former seat
(35 minutes later)
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.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 did not contest Batley and Spen, as a mark of respect for Mrs Cox, all eyes are be on the result in Witney. Former Coronation Street actress Tracy Brabin won the Batley seat - which out of respect was not contested by other main parties - with 85% of the vote.
It is the first electoral test for the Conservatives since Theresa May succeeded Mr Cameron as PM in July. But all eyes are on the Witney result, the first electoral test 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 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. In Batley and Spen, the West Yorkshire constituency where Mrs Cox was shot and stabbed in June, her friend, Ms 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 received 17,506 votes (85.84% of the vote), gaining a majority of 16,537.
She was one of 10 candidates, who included some independents, English Democrats, BNP and National Front candidates. 'Bittersweet victory'
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. Mrs Brabin said her victory in Batley and Spen had been "bittersweet", adding that she hoped Mrs Cox would be proud that the community had spoken with one voice.
"This has been a difficult experience for all of us... that this by-election has had to take place at all is a tragedy," she said in her acceptance speech.
"I hope Jo will be proud tonight of our community."
Mrs Brabin, who played Tricia Armstrong in Coronation Street in the 1990s before appearing as Roxy Drake in EastEnders and Carole in Emmerdale, has also written for shows including Family Affairs, Tracy Beaker and Hollyoaks.
She was one of 10 candidates, who included some independents, English Democrats, BNP and National Front candidates.
A man has been charged with murdering Mrs Cox and is awaiting trial.
Batley and Spen result in full
Tracy Brabin (Lab) - 17,506 (85.84%)
Therese Hirst (Eng Dem) - 969 (4.75%)
David Furness (BNP) - 548 (2.69%)
Garry Kitchin (Ind) - 517 (2.54%)
Corbyn Anti (Eng Ind) - 241 (1.18%)
Jack Buckby (Lib GB) - 220 (1.08%)
Henry Mayhew (Ind) - 153 (0.75%)
Waqas Ali Khan (Ind) - 118 (0.58%)
Richard Edmonds (NF) - 87 (0.43%)
Ankit Love (Love) - 34 (0.17%)