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Charles Clarke loses Norwich seat | Charles Clarke loses Norwich seat |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke has lost his Norwich South seat to the Liberal Democrats. | |
Mr Clarke, a critic of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, was beaten by Simon Wright by just 310 votes. | Mr Clarke, a critic of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, was beaten by Simon Wright by just 310 votes. |
Mr Clarke, who was chief of staff to Labour leader Neil Kinnock between 1983 and 1992, was elected in 1997. | Mr Clarke, who was chief of staff to Labour leader Neil Kinnock between 1983 and 1992, was elected in 1997. |
Mr Wright, who secured 13,960 votes, used to be an agent to North Norfolk Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb. The Tories have held four seats in Norfolk. | Mr Wright, who secured 13,960 votes, used to be an agent to North Norfolk Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb. The Tories have held four seats in Norfolk. |
In his acceptance speech, Mr Wright said: "I'm determined to represent Norwich South to the best of my ability. | In his acceptance speech, Mr Wright said: "I'm determined to represent Norwich South to the best of my ability. |
"I will be open and honest about my expenses and I'll stand up for freedoms, for fairness and for social justice." | "I will be open and honest about my expenses and I'll stand up for freedoms, for fairness and for social justice." |
Mr Clarke said: "I've been very proud indeed to represent the fine city of Norwich over these last 13 years. | Mr Clarke said: "I've been very proud indeed to represent the fine city of Norwich over these last 13 years. |
"I believe under Labour tremendous things have been achieved with the economy of the city, the public services to the city and many, many other things." | "I believe under Labour tremendous things have been achieved with the economy of the city, the public services to the city and many, many other things." |
The Conservative candidate Brandon Lewis won the seat from Labour's Tony Wright, who took the seat in 1997. | The Conservative candidate Brandon Lewis won the seat from Labour's Tony Wright, who took the seat in 1997. |
Mr Lewis took the seat with a majority of 4,276 on an 8.7% swing from Labour to the Conservatives. | |
Ms Smith says the elecorate has sent a clear message to Gordon Brown | |
Conservative Chloe Smith, who won the Norwich North by-election in July last year following the resignation of Labour MP Ian Gibson, retained her seat with 17,280 votes. | |
Labour candidate John Cook came second with 13,379 and Liberal Democrat John Stephen took 7,783. | |
'Worst prime minister' | |
Elizabeth Truss, who faced de-selection over her affair with Mark Field, MP for the City of Westminster, held South West Norfolk for the Conservatives. | Elizabeth Truss, who faced de-selection over her affair with Mark Field, MP for the City of Westminster, held South West Norfolk for the Conservatives. |
She received 23,753 votes, with Liberal Democrat Stephen Gordon on 10,613 and Peter Smith of Labour taking third place with 9,119. | She received 23,753 votes, with Liberal Democrat Stephen Gordon on 10,613 and Peter Smith of Labour taking third place with 9,119. |
In North West Norfolk, Henry Bellingham was re-elected for the Conservatives with 25,916 votes. | |
Liberal Democrat William Summers came second with 11,206, and Manish Sood - who during his campaign as Labour candidate described Gordon Brown as "the worst prime minister we have had in this country" - came third with 6,353. | |
Liberal Democrat candidate Simon Wright and his leader Nick Clegg | |
Richard Bacon received 27,133 votes in South Norfolk, with Liberal Democrat Jacky Howe taking 16,193 and Labour's Mick Castle coming third with 7,252. | Richard Bacon received 27,133 votes in South Norfolk, with Liberal Democrat Jacky Howe taking 16,193 and Labour's Mick Castle coming third with 7,252. |
George Freeman held Mid Norfolk for the Conservatives with 25,123 votes, with Lib Dem David Newman second with 11,267. | George Freeman held Mid Norfolk for the Conservatives with 25,123 votes, with Lib Dem David Newman second with 11,267. |
Retained seat | |
Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb retained his Norfolk North seat for the Liberal Democrats, taking 27,554 votes. | Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb retained his Norfolk North seat for the Liberal Democrats, taking 27,554 votes. |
Conservative Trevor Ivory won 15,928 votes. | Conservative Trevor Ivory won 15,928 votes. |
In Broadland Conservative Keith Simpson retained his seat with 24,338 votes. | |
Lib Dem Daniel Roper took 17,056 votes and in third place Labour took 7,287. | |
Both Conservative and Lib Dem saw an increase of almost 3%, while Labour saw a decrease of almost 10%. |