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Tories hold David Cameron's former seat | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Conservatives have held ex-PM David Cameron's former seat of Witney, but with a majority reduced by more than 20,000 votes. | |
Robert Courts won with a majority of 5,702, with 45% of the votes - down from Mr Cameron's majority of more than 25,000, with 60% of the vote, in 2015. | |
The Lib Dems made significant gains to come second, while Labour was third. | |
Meanwhile, Labour held the Batley and Spen seat where Jo Cox was MP before she was killed. | |
Former Coronation Street actress Tracy Brabin won the seat - which out of respect was not contested by other main parties - with 85% of the vote. | |
'Send a message' | |
Barrister Mr Courts, a local councillor 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. | 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". |
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. | 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. |
She received 17,506 votes (85.84% of the vote), gaining a majority of 16,537. | She received 17,506 votes (85.84% of the vote), gaining a majority of 16,537. |
'Bittersweet victory' | '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. |
Mrs Brabin - who was loudly heckled during her acceptance speech - 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. | Mrs Brabin - who was loudly heckled during her acceptance speech - 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. | "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. |
"I hope Jo will be proud tonight of our community." | "I hope Jo will be proud tonight of our community." |
She was one of 10 candidates, who included some independents, English Democrats, BNP and National Front candidates. | She was one of 10 candidates, who included some independents, English Democrats, BNP and National Front candidates. |
The remaining nine candidates all lost their £500 deposits as they did not receive a big enough share of the vote. | The remaining nine candidates all lost their £500 deposits as they did not receive a big enough share of the vote. |
Mrs Cox's husband, Brendan Cox tweeted his congratulations to Mrs Brabin, saying: "Well done @Tracy4MP & great to see all the purveyors of hate lose their deposits #MoreInCommon." | Mrs Cox's husband, Brendan Cox tweeted his congratulations to Mrs Brabin, saying: "Well done @Tracy4MP & great to see all the purveyors of hate lose their deposits #MoreInCommon." |
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. | 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. |
A man has been charged with murdering Mrs Cox and is awaiting trial. | A man has been charged with murdering Mrs Cox and is awaiting trial. |
Batley and Spen result in full | Batley and Spen result in full |
Tracy Brabin (Lab) - 17,506 (85.84%) | Tracy Brabin (Lab) - 17,506 (85.84%) |
Therese Hirst (Eng Dem) - 969 (4.75%) | Therese Hirst (Eng Dem) - 969 (4.75%) |
David Furness (BNP) - 548 (2.69%) | David Furness (BNP) - 548 (2.69%) |
Garry Kitchin (Ind) - 517 (2.54%) | Garry Kitchin (Ind) - 517 (2.54%) |
Corbyn Anti (Eng Ind) - 241 (1.18%) | Corbyn Anti (Eng Ind) - 241 (1.18%) |
Jack Buckby (Lib GB) - 220 (1.08%) | Jack Buckby (Lib GB) - 220 (1.08%) |
Henry Mayhew (Ind) - 153 (0.75%) | Henry Mayhew (Ind) - 153 (0.75%) |
Waqas Ali Khan (Ind) - 118 (0.58%) | Waqas Ali Khan (Ind) - 118 (0.58%) |
Richard Edmonds (NF) - 87 (0.43%) | Richard Edmonds (NF) - 87 (0.43%) |
Ankit Love (Love) - 34 (0.17%) | Ankit Love (Love) - 34 (0.17%) |