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| By-elections: Corby result expected soon | By-elections: Corby result expected soon |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Counting is coming to a close in the Corby by-election, seen as a mid-term test of David Cameron leadership. | Counting is coming to a close in the Corby by-election, seen as a mid-term test of David Cameron leadership. |
| If Labour wins the seat vacated by Louise Mensch, it will be the party's first gain from the Conservatives at a by-election since 1997. | If Labour wins the seat vacated by Louise Mensch, it will be the party's first gain from the Conservatives at a by-election since 1997. |
| The turnout figure has been confirmed at 44.8%, with the result expected to be announced soon. | |
| The Lib Dems are demanding a recount, amid fears they could lose their deposit by a margin of just 10 votes. | |
| Meanwhile, Labour held both Manchester Central and Cardiff South and Penarth in two by-elections counted overnight. | |
| Millions of people also voted on Thursday in the first police and crime commissioner (PCC) elections in England and Wales, with results coming in later. One result was announced overnight, with Conservative Angus Macpherson elected as commissioner for Wiltshire. | Millions of people also voted on Thursday in the first police and crime commissioner (PCC) elections in England and Wales, with results coming in later. One result was announced overnight, with Conservative Angus Macpherson elected as commissioner for Wiltshire. |
| Counting is also under way in Bristol, where voters have been choosing the city's first directly elected mayor. | Counting is also under way in Bristol, where voters have been choosing the city's first directly elected mayor. |
| 'Understandable anger' | 'Understandable anger' |
| Labour candidate Andy Sawford, son of Phil Sawford, former MP for nearby Kettering, is widely expected to take the seat amid controversy over the resignation of sitting MP Louise Mensch, which triggered the contest. | Labour candidate Andy Sawford, son of Phil Sawford, former MP for nearby Kettering, is widely expected to take the seat amid controversy over the resignation of sitting MP Louise Mensch, which triggered the contest. |
| He arrived at the count to be greeted by supporters, who were described as "jubilant". | He arrived at the count to be greeted by supporters, who were described as "jubilant". |
| The last time Labour took a seat from the Conservatives in a by-election was in Wirral South in February 1997. | The last time Labour took a seat from the Conservatives in a by-election was in Wirral South in February 1997. |
| Mrs Mensch, who stood down after just over two years to spend more time with her family, said her resignation sparked "entirely understandable local anger" and suggested that the Tories would lose Corby. | Mrs Mensch, who stood down after just over two years to spend more time with her family, said her resignation sparked "entirely understandable local anger" and suggested that the Tories would lose Corby. |
| Writing on Twitter, she said the by-election result would not be a verdict on the Conservative candidate Christine Emmett or the party itself "but only on the decision I took to step down mid-term". | Writing on Twitter, she said the by-election result would not be a verdict on the Conservative candidate Christine Emmett or the party itself "but only on the decision I took to step down mid-term". |
| Conservative Justice Minister Chris Grayling said it had been "an uphill battle" and a "struggle" to hold on to the seat. | Conservative Justice Minister Chris Grayling said it had been "an uphill battle" and a "struggle" to hold on to the seat. |
| He told BBC One's Question Time "many people in Corby feel disappointed and let down" by Mrs Mensch's decision to quit but parents would understand that she found it hard to meet her family commitments. | He told BBC One's Question Time "many people in Corby feel disappointed and let down" by Mrs Mensch's decision to quit but parents would understand that she found it hard to meet her family commitments. |
| But he said a loss in the Corby by-election "doesn't mean we can't win the next election". | But he said a loss in the Corby by-election "doesn't mean we can't win the next election". |
| The closing stages of the Corby campaign were overshadowed by revelations that the Tory campaign manager, Chris Heaton-Harris, had encouraged a friend, journalist James Delingpole, to stand against the party's candidate, Christine Emmett, on an anti-wind farm ticket. | The closing stages of the Corby campaign were overshadowed by revelations that the Tory campaign manager, Chris Heaton-Harris, had encouraged a friend, journalist James Delingpole, to stand against the party's candidate, Christine Emmett, on an anti-wind farm ticket. |
| The MP was forced to apologise after the alleged plot emerged in a video secretly recorded by Greenpeace. | The MP was forced to apologise after the alleged plot emerged in a video secretly recorded by Greenpeace. |
| Mrs Mensch had a majority of less than 2,000 in a constituency that has regularly swung between Tory and Labour at general elections over the past 30 years - with voters always opting for the party that goes on to form a government. | Mrs Mensch had a majority of less than 2,000 in a constituency that has regularly swung between Tory and Labour at general elections over the past 30 years - with voters always opting for the party that goes on to form a government. |
| In Manchester Central, Labour's Lucy Powell (11,507) won with a majority of 9,936. Liberal Democrat Marc Ramsbottom (1,571) was second and Conservative Matthew Sephton (754) came in third. | In Manchester Central, Labour's Lucy Powell (11,507) won with a majority of 9,936. Liberal Democrat Marc Ramsbottom (1,571) was second and Conservative Matthew Sephton (754) came in third. |
| The turnout of 18.16% is believed to be the lowest in a UK parliamentary by-election since 1942, when just 8.5% of eligible voters cast a ballot in Poplar South, in east London. | The turnout of 18.16% is believed to be the lowest in a UK parliamentary by-election since 1942, when just 8.5% of eligible voters cast a ballot in Poplar South, in east London. |
| In Cardiff South and Penarth, Labour's Stephen Doughty won with 9,193 votes, Conservative Craig Williams was second with 3,859 and Lib Dem Bablin Molik was third with 2,103. Labour's majority was 5,334 and the turnout was 25.65%. | In Cardiff South and Penarth, Labour's Stephen Doughty won with 9,193 votes, Conservative Craig Williams was second with 3,859 and Lib Dem Bablin Molik was third with 2,103. Labour's majority was 5,334 and the turnout was 25.65%. |
| Low turnouts have, meanwhile, been reported in parts of England and Wales as results start coming through in the elections for police and crime commissioners. | Low turnouts have, meanwhile, been reported in parts of England and Wales as results start coming through in the elections for police and crime commissioners. |
| Numerous police areas have confirmed turnouts ranging from 13-20%. | Numerous police areas have confirmed turnouts ranging from 13-20%. |
| Jenny Watson, Chair of the Electoral Commission, said the low turnout was "a concern for everyone who cares about democracy". | Jenny Watson, Chair of the Electoral Commission, said the low turnout was "a concern for everyone who cares about democracy". |
| But Prime Minister David Cameron said it would "take time" for people to get used to the concept and "turnout would be much higher next time". | But Prime Minister David Cameron said it would "take time" for people to get used to the concept and "turnout would be much higher next time". |
| Did you take part in the voting? How do you feel the process went? What do you think of the results so far? Please share your comments and experiences | Did you take part in the voting? How do you feel the process went? What do you think of the results so far? Please share your comments and experiences |