NEWLY-elected Labour MP Ashley Dalton demanded a General Election after a thumping win over the Tories in a by-election.
Dalton walked home with more than 62% of the vote, a 10% swing away from the Conservatives, in the West Lancashire by-election.
She told Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to “move out of the way” and that it was time for Labour to take over.
Bitterly cold conditions on polling day and the expectation of an easy Labour hold contributed to a turnout of fewer than 32%.
Dalton, who works part-time for a local charity, secured a majority of 8326 over Conservative candidate Mike Prendergast.
In her victory speech, she said: “Tonight the people of West Lancashire constituency have spoke on behalf of the country.
“They have sent a message to this Conservative Government. They do not have confidence in them to govern or the Prime Minister to lead.
“Prime Minister, your Government has no ideas or a plan to address the big issues facing our country, like record levels of child poverty and people dying waiting for ambulances.”
She added: “These are testing times for our country. I have had hundreds of conversations with voters and I know how hard life has become and the unthinkable choices people are having to face – paying their bills or buying food.
“Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives no longer have a mandate to govern. His Government has no ideas, no plan to address the big issues facing our country and the voters tonight have sent a message to the Prime Minister – your Government is failing British people.
“Move out of the way. Let Labour take over and it’s time for a General Election.”
While Rosie Cooper’s (above) majority at the 2019 snap General Election was similar at 8336, that was more than 36% of the vote, compared with just over 25% this time around.
It was the first time the Tory vote dipped below 30% since the 1997 General Election, which Tony Blair’s Labour party won by a landslide.
Reform UK secured 997 votes, ahead of the Liberal Democrats on 918, the Greens with 646 and the Official Monster Raving Loony Party with 210.
The ballot was held after Cooper, who represented the constituency for 17 years, accepted the role of chairwoman of the Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Keir Starmer’s Labour, who are enjoying a significant lead in the polls against Sunak’s Conservatives, were always confident of holding the seat.
It was the latest by-election test for Sunak since entering Downing Street last October and comes amid a cost-of-living crisis, soaring inflation and a wave of industrial action across the UK.
New Tory chairman Greg Hands, who replaced the sacked Nadhim Zahawi this week, is charged with steering his party towards the local elections in May amid pressure on the Prime Minister to get his party in fighting shape ahead of the next General Election in around 18 months’ time.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel