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By-elections: Corby result expected soon By-elections: Labour takes Corby from Conservatives
(35 minutes later)
Counting is coming to a close in the Corby by-election, seen as a mid-term test of David Cameron leadership. Labour has snatched a seat from the Conservatives in a by-election for the first time in 15 years, taking Corby in Northamptonshire.
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. Andy Sawford won by 7,791 votes, with Conservative Christine Emmett in second. The UK Independence Party came third and the Liberal Democrats fourth.
The turnout figure has been confirmed at 44.8%, with the result expected to be announced soon. Former MP Louise Mensch angered locals by quitting Corby after just two years to move to New York with her family.
The Lib Dems are demanding a recount, amid fears they could lose their deposit by a margin of just 10 votes. Labour held two other seats in by-elections counted overnight.
Meanwhile, Labour held both Manchester Central and Cardiff South and Penarth in two by-elections counted overnight. They were Manchester Central and Cardiff South and Penarth, both considered safe seats for the party.
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. 'Historic'
Counting is also under way in Bristol, where voters have been choosing the city's first directly elected mayor. Results are also coming in from the first elections for police and crime commissioners around England and Wales and for a directly elected mayor of Bristol.
'Understandable anger' Labour had been widely expected to take Corby, which Mrs Mensch won by fewer than 2,000 votes at the last general election, but the result will be seen as a mid-term test of Prime Minister David Cameron's leadership.
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 took 17,267 votes. The Conservatives got 9,476, UKIP 5,108 and the Lib Dems 1,770.
He arrived at the count to be greeted by supporters, who were described as "jubilant". In his victory speech, Mr Sawford said: "This result is a historic win for today's one-nation Labour Party.
"Today Middle England has spoken and they have sent a very clear message to David Cameron. This is truly a significant result."
He added that it was a "damning verdict" on the prime minister and the Conservatives' "betrayal of the British people" and said Labour wanted to "restore fairness".
Ahead of the result, Conservative Justice Minister Chris Grayling told the BBC local factors would also be influential, saying that "many people in Corby feel disappointed and let down" by Mrs Mensch's decision to quit.
Some 35,733 votes were cast in Corby, giving a turnout figure of 44.8%.
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. Meanwhile, href="/news/uk-england-manchester-20346068" title="Labour hold Manchester Central" >in Manchester Central's by-election, 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) third.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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".
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 experiencesDid 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