By election news, including Conservative GAIN in Aberdeen South, Makerfield result.

Congratulations to Douglas Lumsden, the new Conservative MP for Aberdeen South, who gained that seat from the SNP yesterday by 6,000 votes. This is a massive result.

























In 
















MAKERFIELD RESULT

In a by-election dominated by tactical voting, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham held the seat for Labour and contrary to expectations, it wasn't close.


Makerfield by-election vote shares result:

LAB: 54.8% (+9.6)

REF: 34.5% (+2.7)

RST: 6.8% (+6.8)

CON: 2.2% (-8.7)

GRN: 0.7% (-3.7)

LDEM: 0.4% (-6.4)


I will confess to being disappointed that the excellent Conservative candidate and my good riend Michael Winstanley didn't do better.

I campaigned in Makerfield for Michael more than once, and a very high proportion of the local residents I to whom I spoke had a high opinion of Michael - many of them referring to him unprompted by his first name - but he was hit by two diametrically opposed forms of tactical voting.

Many of those who would normally have backed Michael Winstanley either said they were voting Reform to try to stop Andy Burnham, or, and this is a direct quote from a Makerfield elector, for 

"Burnham to stop those Reform bastards."

This is the problem with ideas of political pacts or one party standing down for anther. It often doesn't work because it doesn't reflect what many voters want.

I can have a friendly conversation with many ordinary decent voters who are currently backing Reform and find that I share many of their views, concerns and aspirations for Britain. But there are also many Conservative voters who have, to put it very politely, massive concerns about the Reform UK leadership and the way the party operates. And to be brutally honest, I'm one of them and regard those concerns a totally justified.


Arbroath and Broughty Ferry.

In the third Westminster by-election yesterday, Arbroath, the SNP held the seat and the Conservative position improved from third to second. Conservative candidate Jack Cruickshanks had this to say:

"Congratulations to @larabirdsnp on her election as MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry. I look forward to working alongside her in the interests of our communities.

Tonight was a historic night for the Conservatives.

Douglas Lumsden’s victory in Aberdeen South will be remembered for years to come.

And here in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, we defied expectations.

We increased our vote share, moved from third place to second place, overtook Labour and finished ahead of Reform UK.

Many had already written us off.

Many said the Conservatives were yesterday’s party.

Tonight, we proved otherwise.

The momentum is with us.

The optimism is with us.

The future is with us.

For Conservatives across Scotland and across the United Kingdom, this result should give confidence that our best days lie ahead.

We are only just getting started."


COUNCIL ELECTIONS


It was a good night for the Conservatives in local counci by-elections in Essex, London, and Wales.


The Conservatives gained two council seats in Essex from Reform UK in local by-elections.

Congratulations to Cllr Danielle Belton on gaining Sweyne Park and Grange from Reform in Rochford and to Cllr Stuart Belton on gaining Rayleigh West from Reform on Essex County Council. 





























Congratulations also to Councillor Hannah Williams, Welsh Conservatives candidate who gained a seat from Reform UK in a council by-election for Swansea council.





















Congratulations too, to Cllr Jan Sutherland on holding Bransgore, Burley, Sopley & Ringwood East in New Forest.





 

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