Liberal Democrats win over 60 seats in best result since coalition government
The Lib Dems are now the third largest party in the House of Commons once again
Labour has won a landslide victory in the general election, with Keir Starmer set to enter Number 10 as the UK’s next prime minister.
But the story of the election isn’t just the Labour victory, it’s also the Tory wipeout. The Liberal Democrats have made massive gains at the Tories’ expense, winning more than 60 seats.
At the time of writing, the Lib Dems have made 55 gains, taking their total seat tally to 62. That’s the best result for the party since at least 2005, and marks a moment of major recovery after almost a decade in the wilderness.
After the Lib Dems entered into the coalition government in 2010, the party was decimated in subsequent elections. In 2015, the Lib Dems won just 8 seats.
The resurgence for the Lib Dems will see Ed Davey’s party return to being the third largest party in the House of Commons.
Chris Jarvis is head of strategy and development at Left Foot Forward
The Lib Dems are now the third largest party in the House of Commons once again
Today
Left Foot Forward
Labour has won a landslide victory in the general election, with Keir Starmer set to enter Number 10 as the UK’s next prime minister.
But the story of the election isn’t just the Labour victory, it’s also the Tory wipeout. The Liberal Democrats have made massive gains at the Tories’ expense, winning more than 60 seats.
At the time of writing, the Lib Dems have made 55 gains, taking their total seat tally to 62. That’s the best result for the party since at least 2005, and marks a moment of major recovery after almost a decade in the wilderness.
After the Lib Dems entered into the coalition government in 2010, the party was decimated in subsequent elections. In 2015, the Lib Dems won just 8 seats.
The resurgence for the Lib Dems will see Ed Davey’s party return to being the third largest party in the House of Commons.
Chris Jarvis is head of strategy and development at Left Foot Forward
By Gary Shipton
Published 5th Jul 2024
Results were still coming in as the sun rose over Sussex today (July 5) but the political earthquake that had been predicted was already being felt in what was traditionally the most Conservative of seats - Chichester.
Throughout the campaign, polling companies had suggested it was on a knife-edge - some giving it to the Conservatives and others to the Lib Dems; and even after the 10pm Exit Poll on July 4, the Daily Telegraph's data science team was suggesting a Conservative hold for the Education Secretary Gillian Keegan.
In the end, it wasn't remotely close.
The Lib-Dems Jess Brown-Fuller stormed to victory with 25,540 votes (49.2%) with Gillian Keegan a distant second with 13,368 (25.7%).
Throughout the campaign, polling companies had suggested it was on a knife-edge - some giving it to the Conservatives and others to the Lib Dems; and even after the 10pm Exit Poll on July 4, the Daily Telegraph's data science team was suggesting a Conservative hold for the Education Secretary Gillian Keegan.
In the end, it wasn't remotely close.
The Lib-Dems Jess Brown-Fuller stormed to victory with 25,540 votes (49.2%) with Gillian Keegan a distant second with 13,368 (25.7%).
Jess Brown-Fuller, the Lib-Dem winner of Chichester, is pictured (right) at a political hustings with the other candidates and independent chair Gary Shipton (centre) at Chichester Cathedral. Photo: contributed
Reform UK's Teresa De Santis delivered a decent third position 7,859 votes (15.1%) - but even if everyone who backed Reform had switched to Tory it would not have stopped the Lib Dems.
For the first time in a century, Chichester - where it was once said even the grass grew blue and the Tory vote was 'weighed rather than counted' - the Roman cathedral city changed its hue.
Quite apart from the national swing against the Tories, it was clear on the ground that there were a number of local factors which meant this was always going to be tough to retain.
The boundary changes had robbed it of some historically prime Conservative votes and the Lib Dem campaign had repeated the message throughout that 'Labour could not win here' and asked for other parties’ supporters to lend the Lib Dems their vote to oust the Tories. That request had clearly hit the mark given the modest count for Labour and the Greens.
But on the streets of Chichester, discontent also ran deep not just on national failures by the government but a range of local ones too. The Conservative-controlled county council's abject failure to keep the pot-hole ridden roads in a decent state of repair throughout the winter and its ludicrous restrictions on using the amenity tip; fury at Southern Water over sewage discharges especially around the prized harbour - which the Lib Dems focused hard on; and the declining state of local public services and the city centre itself - combined with no plan to upgrade the A27 or to provide the infrastructure to support endless housing developments on the neighbouring green fields.
Many, fairly or not, felt Gillian Keegan should have been seen to be far more pro-active on all these fronts - with the consequence that many long-standing Conservatives were also happy to lend the Lib Dems their vote as well.
The signals had been clear for more than a year when the district council fell to the Lib Dems.
Finally, but perhaps most importantly of all, Jess Brown-Fuller and her small team, ran a breath-takingly good campaign which began many, many months before the starting pistol was fired on this general election.
Victories on this scale have to be hard-worked for - and no-one should doubt the tenacity, determination, passion, and professionalism that sparked this particular earthquake.
This website and newspaper does not support parties or politicians - but we also have a unique view of the constituency. We extend our commiserations to Gillian Keegan and acknowledge the strong campaign that she ran. The truth is, 25,540 people thought the only candidate who deserved to win was Jess; residents acted on her slogan and said 'Yes' to her; and today we whole-heartedly congratulate her on her historic victory.
Now the work begins to deliver on the promises she made.
Reform UK's Teresa De Santis delivered a decent third position 7,859 votes (15.1%) - but even if everyone who backed Reform had switched to Tory it would not have stopped the Lib Dems.
For the first time in a century, Chichester - where it was once said even the grass grew blue and the Tory vote was 'weighed rather than counted' - the Roman cathedral city changed its hue.
Quite apart from the national swing against the Tories, it was clear on the ground that there were a number of local factors which meant this was always going to be tough to retain.
The boundary changes had robbed it of some historically prime Conservative votes and the Lib Dem campaign had repeated the message throughout that 'Labour could not win here' and asked for other parties’ supporters to lend the Lib Dems their vote to oust the Tories. That request had clearly hit the mark given the modest count for Labour and the Greens.
But on the streets of Chichester, discontent also ran deep not just on national failures by the government but a range of local ones too. The Conservative-controlled county council's abject failure to keep the pot-hole ridden roads in a decent state of repair throughout the winter and its ludicrous restrictions on using the amenity tip; fury at Southern Water over sewage discharges especially around the prized harbour - which the Lib Dems focused hard on; and the declining state of local public services and the city centre itself - combined with no plan to upgrade the A27 or to provide the infrastructure to support endless housing developments on the neighbouring green fields.
Many, fairly or not, felt Gillian Keegan should have been seen to be far more pro-active on all these fronts - with the consequence that many long-standing Conservatives were also happy to lend the Lib Dems their vote as well.
The signals had been clear for more than a year when the district council fell to the Lib Dems.
Finally, but perhaps most importantly of all, Jess Brown-Fuller and her small team, ran a breath-takingly good campaign which began many, many months before the starting pistol was fired on this general election.
Victories on this scale have to be hard-worked for - and no-one should doubt the tenacity, determination, passion, and professionalism that sparked this particular earthquake.
This website and newspaper does not support parties or politicians - but we also have a unique view of the constituency. We extend our commiserations to Gillian Keegan and acknowledge the strong campaign that she ran. The truth is, 25,540 people thought the only candidate who deserved to win was Jess; residents acted on her slogan and said 'Yes' to her; and today we whole-heartedly congratulate her on her historic victory.
Now the work begins to deliver on the promises she made.
Lib Dems celebrate triple win in Cambridgeshire
By Harriet Heywood & Orla Moore, BBC News, Cambridgeshire
By Harriet Heywood & Orla Moore, BBC News, Cambridgeshire
Emma Howgego/BBC
Ian Sollom and Pippa Heylings have been elected as new Liberal Democrat MPs in what has been a winning night for the party
Ballots from six Cambridgeshire constituencies have led to a damaging night for the Conservatives and an impressive gain for the Liberal Democrats.
The Liberal Democrats took conservative seats from Ely and East Cambridgeshire, St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, and South Cambridgeshire.
The Conservatives held onto Huntingdon and Steve Barclay retained his seat in North East Cambridgeshire, Labour also kept its hold on Cambridge.
Although the evening saw a huge change to Cambridgeshire's MPs, there was a notable fall in votes compared to the 2019 general elections.
'A difficult night'
Ballots from six Cambridgeshire constituencies have led to a damaging night for the Conservatives and an impressive gain for the Liberal Democrats.
The Liberal Democrats took conservative seats from Ely and East Cambridgeshire, St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, and South Cambridgeshire.
The Conservatives held onto Huntingdon and Steve Barclay retained his seat in North East Cambridgeshire, Labour also kept its hold on Cambridge.
Although the evening saw a huge change to Cambridgeshire's MPs, there was a notable fall in votes compared to the 2019 general elections.
'A difficult night'
Jenny Kirk/BBC
Steve Barclay retains his seat in a damaging night for the Tories
Stephen Barclay retained the North East Cambridgeshire seat for the Conservatives with a vastly reduced majority of 16,246 votes, followed by Reform UK with 9,057 and Labour which attained 8,008.
He said the win was "against a very difficult night for the conservatives".
"Many friends and many good colleagues will have lost their seats and many people who voted for the conservatives last time were not able to do so this time.
"I have been engaging every day of the campaign and heard concerns and I think it us incumbent on us all to go away and reflect on what people have said so we can ensure that our conservative values are ones that they identify with going forward."
'Close margin'
Steve Barclay retains his seat in a damaging night for the Tories
Stephen Barclay retained the North East Cambridgeshire seat for the Conservatives with a vastly reduced majority of 16,246 votes, followed by Reform UK with 9,057 and Labour which attained 8,008.
He said the win was "against a very difficult night for the conservatives".
"Many friends and many good colleagues will have lost their seats and many people who voted for the conservatives last time were not able to do so this time.
"I have been engaging every day of the campaign and heard concerns and I think it us incumbent on us all to go away and reflect on what people have said so we can ensure that our conservative values are ones that they identify with going forward."
'Close margin'
David Webster/BBC
Ms Cane said her first job would be to improve social housing in the constituency
Charlotte Cane took Ely and East Cambridgeshire for the Liberal Democrats, replacing Conservative Lucy Frazer.
She won 17,127 votes, 495 more than her Tory rival who deemed it a "close margin".
Ms Cane said her first job would be to improve social housing in the constituency and praised leader Sir Ed Davy who drew attention to their policies with his stunts.
Ms Frazer, the former MP for East Cambridgeshire said it was a honour to serve the people of East Cambridgeshire and said that the reason the Conservatives lost was due to the party being divided.
Ms Cane said her first job would be to improve social housing in the constituency
Charlotte Cane took Ely and East Cambridgeshire for the Liberal Democrats, replacing Conservative Lucy Frazer.
She won 17,127 votes, 495 more than her Tory rival who deemed it a "close margin".
Ms Cane said her first job would be to improve social housing in the constituency and praised leader Sir Ed Davy who drew attention to their policies with his stunts.
Ms Frazer, the former MP for East Cambridgeshire said it was a honour to serve the people of East Cambridgeshire and said that the reason the Conservatives lost was due to the party being divided.
Matthew Webb/BBC
Daniel Zeichner held Cambridge for Labour
Labour candidate Daniel Zeichner was re-elected in Cambridge, a seat he has held since 2015.
He achieved 19,614 votes compared to second place Liberal Democrats on 8,536.
Voter turnout in Cambridge was 60.4%.
This is a drop from the 2019 general election, where turnout was 67.2%.
'Historic moment'
Daniel Zeichner held Cambridge for Labour
Labour candidate Daniel Zeichner was re-elected in Cambridge, a seat he has held since 2015.
He achieved 19,614 votes compared to second place Liberal Democrats on 8,536.
Voter turnout in Cambridge was 60.4%.
This is a drop from the 2019 general election, where turnout was 67.2%.
'Historic moment'
Emma Howgego/BBC
Pippa Heylings takes South Cambridgeshire for the Liberal Democrats
Pippa Heylings has been elected as the new Liberal Democrat MP for South Cambridgeshire, taking the seat from the Conservatives.
She takes the seat from Conservative Anthony Browne, who ran for the Tories in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire this time round.
She said the result was a "historic moment for the Liberal Democrats nationally, and here in South Cambridge".
"No matter how you voted in this election I reinstate my commitment to you," she said.
"I hear you, I will fight for you, for a positive and inclusive future for South Cambridge.
"Whenever decisions are being taken in Westminster [I will] make sure our needs are understood."
Pippa Heylings takes South Cambridgeshire for the Liberal Democrats
Pippa Heylings has been elected as the new Liberal Democrat MP for South Cambridgeshire, taking the seat from the Conservatives.
She takes the seat from Conservative Anthony Browne, who ran for the Tories in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire this time round.
She said the result was a "historic moment for the Liberal Democrats nationally, and here in South Cambridge".
"No matter how you voted in this election I reinstate my commitment to you," she said.
"I hear you, I will fight for you, for a positive and inclusive future for South Cambridge.
"Whenever decisions are being taken in Westminster [I will] make sure our needs are understood."
Emma Howgego/BBC
Mr Sollom seemed overwhelmed with emotion during his acceptance speech
Meanwhile, Ian Sollom of the Liberal Democrats has taken the seat from Conservative candidate Anthony Browne in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire.
He gained 19,517 votes - a 4,621 majority over Mr Browne.
Shortly afterwards Mr Browne joked that his loss would mean he would be going down to the job centre tomorrow - and that it is a shame it is in Huntingdon and not St Neots.
'Beaten the odds'
Mr Sollom seemed overwhelmed with emotion during his acceptance speech
Meanwhile, Ian Sollom of the Liberal Democrats has taken the seat from Conservative candidate Anthony Browne in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire.
He gained 19,517 votes - a 4,621 majority over Mr Browne.
Shortly afterwards Mr Browne joked that his loss would mean he would be going down to the job centre tomorrow - and that it is a shame it is in Huntingdon and not St Neots.
'Beaten the odds'
Kate Moser Andon/BBC
Conservative Ben Obese-Jecty holds Huntingdon for the Conservatives
Ben Obese-Jecty has been elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Huntingdon.
He won with 18,257 votes, with a margin of fewer than 2,000 votes. He holds the seat vacated by Jonathan Djanogly.
Mr Obese-Jecty says he is very pleased to have "beaten the odds".
Analysis by BBC political reporter, Emma Howgego
Cambridgeshire’s political colour has turned from mostly blue to a rainbow of colour.
A cabinet minister has lost her seat, there are three new Liberal Democrat seats and Labour have strengthened their standing.
It was the election of three Liberal Democrats that has been the big story.
The party has been campaigning in South Cambridgeshire for a number of years.
Pippa Heylings was selected as their candidate very early on and it has been one of their top target seats.
Ian Sollom’s win in neighbouring St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire was always a real possibility too.
But it is the victory of East Cambridgeshire councillor Charlotte Cane over the former Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer that is the story of the night.
On Sunday a Liberal Democrat canvasser told me he believed there would be around 500 votes separating the win in Ely and East Cambridgeshire.
Today’s result showed that was a very accurate picture.
Conservative Ben Obese-Jecty holds Huntingdon for the Conservatives
Ben Obese-Jecty has been elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Huntingdon.
He won with 18,257 votes, with a margin of fewer than 2,000 votes. He holds the seat vacated by Jonathan Djanogly.
Mr Obese-Jecty says he is very pleased to have "beaten the odds".
Analysis by BBC political reporter, Emma Howgego
Cambridgeshire’s political colour has turned from mostly blue to a rainbow of colour.
A cabinet minister has lost her seat, there are three new Liberal Democrat seats and Labour have strengthened their standing.
It was the election of three Liberal Democrats that has been the big story.
The party has been campaigning in South Cambridgeshire for a number of years.
Pippa Heylings was selected as their candidate very early on and it has been one of their top target seats.
Ian Sollom’s win in neighbouring St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire was always a real possibility too.
But it is the victory of East Cambridgeshire councillor Charlotte Cane over the former Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer that is the story of the night.
On Sunday a Liberal Democrat canvasser told me he believed there would be around 500 votes separating the win in Ely and East Cambridgeshire.
Today’s result showed that was a very accurate picture.
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