'Lettuce' Liz Truss loses seat in upset almost as embarrassing as losing to a vegetable

It was a tough night for former PM Liz Truss who lost her safe seat that the Tories had held since 1964, two years since the politician was famously outlasted by the Daily Star lettuce

NEWS
By Robin Cottle

 5 JUL 2024

Liz Truss was famously outlasted by a lettuce (Image: Daily Star)

Disastrous former Prime Minister Liz Truss has lost her safe seat in the General Election.

Truss, who was in number 10 for just 49 days where she was famously outlasted by the Daily Star Lettuce, was ousted from her South West Norfolk seat. Labour's Terry Jermy overturned a huge majority of 26,195 from the last election.

It caps a disastrous two years for the ex-PM, but nothing is impossible when you've been beaten by a leaf vegetable.

Truss has defended her time in the hotseat. She claimed she was "held responsible for decisions that I had no power over".

Liz Truss lost her safe Tory seat (Image: PA)

But the Daily Star was so dissatisfied with her premiership that we pitted her against one of Britain's favourite vegetable to see what would happen first - would she fall on her sword before the vegetable went rotten or vice versa?

In the end it was a comfortable victory for the 60p vegetable, and now her constituents in South Norfolk have also voted with their feet.

It ends 14 years in the seat for Truss and sees the beleaguered Tories lose a seat they have held since 1964.

The result capped a disastrous night for the Conservatives, with Rishi Sunak's party battering at the polls allowing Labour to form a government for the first time since 2010.

It's been a tough few years for the former Prime Minister (Image: PA)

Truss had previously ruled out plans to run for Tory leader again, just last month saying she wanted to concentrate on "being a backbench MP".

Ever magnanimous in defeat, Truss had her say on the triumphant lettuce earlier this year.

She suggested only the "London elite" cared about her being beaten by the Daily Star's vegetable.

Laying into her leafy opponent, she said: "This is just pathetic, you know, point scoring. This is the kind of thing that obsesses the kind of, what I describe as the ‘London elite’. It’s, ‘what do other people think of me, what’s Britain’s international standing’.”

This lettuce proved a worthy adversary for Truss 

(Image: Humphrey Nemar/dailystar)

We'll try not to stick the boot in on what has been a difficult night for the former Prime Minister, but it's good to know the lettuce has got the last laugh (again).

Record number of UK Cabinet ministers defeated in general election


By  AFP
July 5, 2024

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps lost his seat - Copyright POOL/AFP Stefan Rousseau

A record number of Cabinet ministers lost their seats on Friday in Britain’s general election, leaving only a couple of obvious contenders for the party leadership if Rishi Sunak resigns.

Nine members of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s top team failed to be re-elected, beating the previous high of seven who lost out in 1997, as the ruling Conservatives suffered a mauling at the hands of the main opposition Labour party.

Grant Shapps, the UK’s defence secretary for nearly a year, was the most high-profile casualty, losing his Welwyn Hatfield seat north of London.

Leader of the Commons Penny Mordaunt, who shot to international attention as a sword carrier at King Charles III’s coronation last May, lost in Portsmouth North on England’s south coast.

A former defence secretary, she tried twice to become Tory leader, and was tipped to try again after Thursday’s election, with Sunak expected to stand down.

Other Tory casualties included Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, Transport and Science Secretary Michelle Donelan.

Veteran minister Johnny Mercer and Brexit champion Jacob Rees-Mogg also lost out, as voters grew fed up with the Conservatives after 14 years in power.

The defeats have already sparked soul-searching among re-elected and departing Conservatives, who said the party had been punished for a series of scandals and infighting in recent years.

“I think that we have seen in this election an astonishing ill-discipline within the party”, said former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, after losing his seat.

Shapps, an MP since 2005, criticised the Tories’ “inability to iron out their differences” amid an endless political “soap opera” that saw five prime ministers since the 2016 Brexit vote.

“What is crystal clear to me tonight –- it is not so much that Labour won but that the Conservatives lost,” he added.

Right-winger Suella Braverman, sacked as interior minister by Sunak late last year for a series of incendiary comments, was re-elected and finance minister Jeremy Hunt survived a major scare to squeak victory.

Current interior minister James Cleverly also held on to his seat.

Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch and security minister Tom Tugendhat also won their races.

Most of those high-profile survivors are expected to challenge for the leadership.

Braverman apologised to voters in her victory speech, saying the Tories had failed to listen to voters.

“The Conservative party let you down… we have got to do better and I will do everything in my power to rebuild trust. We need to listen to you. You have spoken to us very clearly,” she said.

General election turnout on track to be lowest for more than 20 years


Turnout remained above 75% at every post-war general election until 1970, when it dipped to 72.0%

Ian Jones

Joey, the Shih Tzu, waits outside the polling station at St James’ Church, Goldenacre, in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA Wire)


Turnout at the General Election is on track to be the lowest for more than 20 years.

After 630 of 650 results had been declared, the turnout figure stood at 59.8%.

This compares with an overall turnout of 67.3% at the last election in 2019.

If the figure stays around 59.8%, it would be the lowest turnout at a general election since 2001, when it was 59.4%.

Were the figure to fall below 59.4%, it would rank as the lowest turnout at a general election since the Second World War.

The highest turnout at a general election since the war was 83.9% in 1950, according to figures compiled by the House of Commons Library.

Turnout remained above 75% at every post-war general election until 1970, when it dipped to 72.0%.

It then stayed above 70% at every election until plunging to 59.4% in 2001 – since when it has never been above 70%.

Sir Keir Starmer will be the UK’s new Labour prime minister after a Conservative rout saw former premier Liz Truss and 11 serving Cabinet members lose their seats.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer speaks to supporters at a watch party for the results of the 2024 General Election in central London (Jeff Moore/PA Wire)

Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he took responsibility for the electoral mauling inflicted on his party as it suffered its worst ever result.

On a dramatic night:

– Ms Truss lost to Labour in Norfolk South West, where she had been defending a notional majority of more than 24,000.

– Eleven ministers who sat around the Cabinet table were ousted, comfortably exceeding the previous record of seven set in 1997


– Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, Welsh Secretary David TC Davies, Transport Secretary Mark Harper, Attorney General Victoria Prentis and veterans minister Johnny Mercer lost to Labour.

– Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, Science Secretary Michelle Donelan and Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer lost to the Liberal Democrats.

– Chief whip Simon Hart lost to Plaid Cymru.

– Tory deputy chairman Jonathan Gullis and former cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg were beaten by Labour.

– But party chairman Richard Holden won by just 20 votes in Basildon and Billericay and outgoing Chancellor Jeremy Hunt held off a Lib Dem challenge in Godalming and Ash.


– Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn held on to his seat as an independent.

– Reform UK leader Nigel Farage won a Commons seat at his eighth attempt and promised his party would “stun all of you” as it picked up four Commons seats.


– The Greens also picked up four seats, including co-leader Carla Denyer defeating shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire in Bristol Central.

– Shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth, who played a prominent role in the party’s media campaign, lost his seat to an independent as Labour’s stance on Gaza cost them votes.

Surprise winners and losers in UK general election, from Greens to Reform UK

Rowena Mason

THE GUARDIAN
Fri, 5 July 2024 

Jeremy Corbyn gives a speech after being declared winner of Islington North.

Photograph: Jon Rowley/EPA


Beyond the astonishing scale of Labour’s overall victory, general election night 2024 was a night of shock results, big swings and unexpected upsets. Here are the most surprising winners and losers.

Surprise winners


Jeremy Corbyn, independent
The former Labour leader decided to contest his long-held Islington North seat after being barred from standing by Labour. The campaign was thought to be on a knife-edge, but Corbyn ended up winning convincingly with a majority of more than 7,000. The veteran politician benefited from a large personal following in the seat and his stance on opposing Israel’s war in Gaza. The Labour candidate, Praful Nargund, had been criticised locally over his links to the private health industry.

Adrian Ramsay, Green party co-leader, in Waveney
Ramsay had not been expected to take the coastal seat of Waveney Valley, which straddles Suffolk and Norfolk. The seat had new boundaries but covered areas held by Conservatives for decades. Ramsay performed well at the television debate earlier in the campaign and had worked the area hard. Across the board, the Greens had a spectacularly good night by the standards of a minor party, which has struggled to break through the electoral system in previous elections. It also took a seat from Labour, ousting shadow cabinet minister Thangam Debonnaire in Bristol Central, while in North Herefordshire the Green candidate, Ellie Chowns, was a surprise winner. The party won in Brighton Pavilion, former seat of Caroline Lucas, with a victory for the former party leader Siân Berry.

Richard Tice, chair and donor to Reform UK
A victory for Nigel Farage in Clacton was priced in since he announced he would stand last month. But Tice’s chances in Boston and Skegness, one of the safest Conservative seats in the country, were much less assured. He ousted a centrist Tory, Matt Warman, by about 2,000 votes. Reform’s performance was not as good as the 13 MPs that the exit poll suggested but it still made remarkable progress, winning four seats. Along with Farage and Tice, the party won in Great Yarmouth, and retained Lee Anderson’s seat in Ashfield after he defected from the Conservatives earlier this year.

Surprise losers

Liz Truss
The former prime minister was not widely expected to lose her South West Norfolk seat. However, she appears to have been punished for her disastrous seven-week tenure in No 10, which caused a crash in the financial markets. She was also caught up in wider swings across traditionally Tory East Anglia against the Conservatives and towards Labour, the Greens and Reform. Her majority of 26,000 was overturned, with Labour taking the seat by a slender margin. Other current and former cabinet ministers to lose their seats included Thérèse Coffey, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Gillian Keegan, Mark Harper, Grant Shapps, Penny Mordaunt, David TC Davies, and Alex Chalk.

Jonathan Ashworth
The biggest and most shocking casualty for Labour of the night was its election campaign coordinator, Jonathan Ashworth. Few had predicted he would lose his Leicester South seat to the independent pro-Gaza candidate Shockat Adam. “This is for Gaza,” Adam said at the count. Another independent candidate made a surprise gain in Dewsbury and Batley, denying a seat to Labour’s Heather Iqbal, a former adviser to Rachel Reeves. The seat was won by Iqbal Mohamed, who campaigned on ending the war in Gaza. The Labour MP Kate Hollern was also ousted in Blackburn by independent Adnan Hussain.

Ian Paisley Jr
The Democratic Unionist (DUP) party stalwart was replaced in North Antrim by Jim Allister, a candidate from the TUV, an even more pro-unionist party backed by Reform UK. The seat had been held by his family since 1970. It was a difficult night overall for the DUP, which has suffered following the Brexit deal that has proven unpopular in Northern Ireland, and its former leader Jeffrey Donaldson facing trial on 18 sexual offence charges. It is on track to lose three of its eight seats, which would leave Sinn Féin as the Northern Ireland party with most MPs.

Wales' 13 new MPs after General Election 2024

Labour has won 27 of Wales' 32 seats and wiped out all the Conservatives in Wales

NEWS
By Ruth Mosalski

Political Editor

5 JUL 2024

Nine of Wales' 13 new MPs at this election

Labour has won the general election although its vote share did go down in Wales. Labour wiped out the Conservatives in Wales and 27 of the total 32 constituencies are represented by Labour.

Plaid Cymru had what the party's leader called a "stunning" night taking four seats, double the number expected at the beginning of the campaign. They now have MPs representing Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Ceredigion Preseli, Ynys Mon and Caerfyrddin.

The Conservatives had a disastrous night with five secretaries of state for Wales losing their seats, four who were standing in Wales.

READ MORE: General Election 2024 results live in Wales as Labour wins landslide but Plaid take key seats

Bangor Aberconwy

Claire Hughes - Labour

Claire Hughes (Image: Mike Plunkett)

The 45-year-old was born in Bangor, grew up in Penmaenmawr and live in Llanfairfechan with her family and two teenage kids. She has spent her career before politics working in the digital sector, mostly with start-ups in the technology and innovation space. Ms Hughes previously started and run a training business helping hundreds of people start a small business. Also a published author, she says she loves spending time outdoors, walking while listening to a podcast, or a power-walk with friends.

You can see the full results from the constituency here.

Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe:

David Chadwick - Liberal Democrat

David Chadwick (Image: Welsh Liberal Democrats)

David lives in Brecon with his wife Gemma and young son William. He is a consultant in cybersecurity and became interested in politics when his grandfather took him to see the steelworks in Port Talbot to see what it was like to work in a blast furnace saying it showed him the link between industry and politics.

The full results are here.

Cardiff West

Alex Barros-Curtis - Labour

Alex Barros-Curtis (Image: Labour Party)

The first time MP for this constituency is Labour's Alex Barros-Curtis. Born and brought up in north Wales, he went to Gronant Primary School and Prestatyn High School, with some time spent in St. Asaph as a member of its Cathedral Male Voice Choir.

His mum was a teacher and my and dad a police officer.

He moved to London to study law at the London School of Economics and qualified at one of the world’s largest law firms and has worked for charities and organisations, as well as the Labour Party as its principal legal adviser.

He is a Liverpool FC and music fan and loves music. He very nearly trained to become a professional pianist instead of a lawyer. The full results are here.

Caerfyrddin

Ann Davies - Plaid Cymru

Ann Davies (Image: PA)

Born and bred in Carmarthenshire, she farms in Llanarthne with husband Gareth. She's been county councillor for Llanddarog Ward since 2017 and cabinet member since 2021.

A former lecturer in early years learning at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, she's also been a peripatetic music teacher and is now the joint owner of a local children’s nursery.

In her spare time, she volunteers at the local village hall, and is county chair for a farming union.

Clwyd East

Becky Gittins - Labour

Becky Gittins (Image: Mike Plunkett)

Born at Glan Clwyd and raised in Bagillt, the 29-year-old was educated at Flint High and the Alun School, Mold, and now lives in Pentre Halkyn with her husband and dog.

After university, she trained as an accountant and worked in finance and has also served as a councillor. Her job before election was as a trade union negotiator.

You can see all the details of the result here.

Clwyd North

Gill German - Labour

Gill German (Image: Mike Plunkett)

Brought up locally and with two children, she was a local teacher for over 20 years. She says she entered politics because she says she saw life getting more and more difficult for families.

She is the current deputy leader of Denbighshire County Council and cabinet member for education, children and families.

The full results are here.

Monmouthshire

Catherine Fookes - Labour

Catherine Fookes (Image: Nathan Roach)

A mum to two boys she says she's been involved in her local community for decades, most recently as a councillor and school governor. A former chief executive of charity Women's Equality Network. She served as a board member on the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board, helping to grow and promote the industry in Wales. Before that, she advised the UK Government on organic food and farming as well as working as a campaigner for an environmental charity.

She set up the Children's Food Academy at Abergavenny Food Festival, providing children with free cookery sessions. She enjoys going to her sons' gigs, popping into her local pub and walking Beanie, the family dog.

All the result detail is here.

Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr

Stephen Witherden - Labour

Steve Witherden (Image: Nathan Roach)

Born in Wrexham and brought up in Llantysilio and Llangollen, he lives in Acrefair. He studied at Lampeter and Aberystwyth University. He married his wife, an NHS worker, 14 years ago. They have two children. He has been a teacher in Wrexham for 18 years and has a number of union roles.

Pembrokeshire Mid and South

Henry Tufnell - Labour

Henry Tufnell (Image: Nathan Roach)

Henry Tufnell, 30, lives in St Davids and grew up in a farming family. He trained and practised as a barrister, specialising in healthcare, public and employment law, before leaving to work as an organiser for a grassroots trade union.

You can see the results page here.

Swansea West

Torsten Bell - Labour

Torsten Bell (Image: Labour Party)


Aged 41, Torsten Bell is married with two children. He is a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, school governor, and an honorary professor at UCL. He also has a weekly column in The Observer. His dad formerly taught at Swansea University, before spending decades working at Save the Children. He has been an economist in the Treasury during the financial crisis and trustee of the Child Poverty Action Group.

For the decade before standing for election, he led the Resolution Foundation, a national economic research charity dedicated to improving the lives of working people through better jobs, affordable housing and a more equal country

Vale of Glamorgan
Kanishka Narayan - Labour

Kanishka Narayan (Image: Labour Party)

Growing up in Cardiff, the 34-year-old's parents worked in hospitality and then as lawyers, he now lives in Barry. He trained as an economist and advised ministers on economics as senior adviser at the Cabinet Office and then as expert adviser to Britain’s environment secretary. He then worked in the private sector, advising FTSE boards, government finance ministries, and climatetech entrepreneurs on managing their balance sheets.

He volunteers for Citizens Advice, Trussell Trust, a mentoring scheme to help children into academia and job opportunities. He says he likes reading history and philosophy and walking.

The full detail of results is here.

Wrexham
Andrew Ranger - Labour

Andrew Ranger (Image: Mike Plunkett)

The 53-year-old moved to Wrexham 25 years ago. Following a 27-year career in the hospitality industry, starting as a kitchen porter, and finishing as a hotel general Manager, he then became an accountant.

A community councillor he says he enjoys travelling as well as going to music concerts, the theatre, and is an avid reader – especially of science fiction and fantasy novels.

Ynys Mon

Llinos Medi - Plaid Cymru

Llinos Medi (Image: Plaid Cymru)

The first ever female leader of Ynys Mon council, Llinos Medi was first elected as a councillor in 2013 and re-elected in 2017, becoming leader aged 35. She is divorced and has two children.

You can read the full results here.

Ben Lake wins Ceredigion Preseli for Plaid Cymru


Published  July 5, 2024
By Tom Sinclair



BEN LAKE has been re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Ceredigion Preseli, securing Plaid Cymru’s hold on the seat in tonight’s election.

Ben retained his seat with a total of 21,738 votes, outperforming the Liberal Democrats and Labour. This marks the third consecutive election victory for Lake, who first claimed the seat from Liberal Democrat Mark Williams in 2017 and successfully defended it against Conservative Aled Thomas in 2019.

In his victory speech, Ben expressed his gratitude, stating: “I would like to thank everybody including my competitors who have been part of a great campaign.”

The full election results for Ceredigion Preseli are as follows:

Ceredigion Preseli results

Plaid Cymru,Ben LakeVotes 21,738
Share 46.9%
Share change +15.8
Liberal Democrat,Mark WilliamsVotes 6,949
Share 15.0%
Share change +0.4
Labour,Jackie JonesVotes 5,386
Share 11.6%
Share change -9.2
Reform UK,Karl PollardVotes 5,374
Share 11.6%
Share change +7.6
Conservative,Aled ThomasVotes 4,763
Share 10.3%
Share change -18.0
Green,Tomos BarlowVotes 1,864
Share 4.0%
Share change +2.7
Workers Party of Britain,Taghrid Al-MawedVotes 228
Share 0.5%
Share change +0.5

Mark Williams, who came second for the Liberal Democrats, commented: “It’s better than coming third. Second this time. It was a positive campaign and I’m very grateful for all the votes. Clearly Ben won an emphatic victory and deserves praise.

“Many issues are unresolved, however, and me and my party will continue to campaign on them.”

THE Green Party is celebrating a momentous night in UK politics after clinching four seats across England.

Carla Denyer took Bristol Central for the Greens (Image: PA)

The party’s co-leader Carla Denyer unseated Labour frontbencher Thangam Debbonaire in Bristol Central, taking more than 56% of the vote and a whopping majority of more than 10,000.

She becomes the city’s first Green MP, with the constituency producing an impressive turnout in the context of the night of almost 70%.

Elsewhere, the Greens have held Brighton Pavilion with Sian Berry taking over the seat from Caroline Lucas.

There have also been victories for the party in Waveney Valley – on the border between Norfolk and Suffolk - as co-leader Adrian Ramsay unseated the Tories, while Ellie Chowns made history in North Herefordshire by taking the seat from Rishi Sunak’s party.

READ MORE: General Election tracker: Maps and charts show Scotland results so far

Meanwhile, the Scottish Greens had a successful evening with Niall Christie in Glasgow South increasing the party’s vote share by more than 10%.

He fired a warning shot to Labour amid their wild celebrations.

He told The National: “It just shows the power of hard work here. We had just over 2% here five years ago, we’ve gone up by more than 10% in five years. We do that again we will be right on Labour’s coattails, so watch out in 2029.

“We’re on course for a record election at Holyrood, probably a record election at council level, and this is a record election at Westminster too. Labour are the big story tonight but they can ignore us at their peril.”

While the party has not secured any MPs, it can point to several positive campaigns, particularly in Glasgow where there were multiple big increases in their vote share.

In Glasgow North East they saw a 7% rise as Ewan Lewis took almost 2500 votes, while in Glasgow North Iris Duane took 4233 votes, increasing the vote share by 8.5%.

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie (above) said it was an "important springboard" for the Holyrood election in two years.

He said: “Thank you to everyone who voted for the Scottish Greens. Every Green vote has sent a powerful message, demanding real action for people and planet and supporting Scotland’s right to choose its own future.

“These results are an important springboard for the Scottish Greens and show that we are well on track for big gains as we approach the next Scottish election in 2026 and the local elections in 2027.

"We have established our party as the third political force in Glasgow and have broken new ground across the country.

"There have also been fantastic results for Green candidates in England, and I am certain that the four new Green MPs will be outstanding advocates for the transformative politics that we urgently need."

Bristol 'makes history' by electing its first Green MP

By Clara Bullock, BBC News, Bristol

Green-co-leader Carla Denyer has won the seat in Bristol Central.

One of the co-leaders of the Green Party has won the newly-created seat of Bristol Central to become the city's first Green MP.

Carla Denyer beat Labour candidate Thangam Debbonaire, who had been MP for former constituency Bristol West since 2010.

Ms Denyer gained the seat with 24,539 votes (56.6%), while Ms Debbonaire received 14,132 votes (32.6%).

The new Green Party MP said the city had "made history" and she was "so grateful".

She told BBC News: "I'm feeling over the moon and so grateful for all of the support we received from voters in Bristol Central and across the country.

"We know voters like our policies. Policies like an increased minimum wage and better investment in public services.

"We went into this election with an ambitious but realistic target to quadruple our number of MPs.

"The voters have spoken, I think this is the direction of travel for Greens from now on."


Ms Denyer received 56.6% of the vote

The number of people who voted in Bristol Central was 62,735 - a 69% turnout, down by 4.1% from 2019.

The area covered by the newly-created seat of Bristol Central used to be part of Bristol West, which has now been abolished.

As the name suggests, it encompasses the city centre including the areas around the Harbour and Hotwells.

Its residential wards include areas such as Clifton and Bishopston, as well as St Pauls and St Werburghs.

Reacting to losing her role as an MP in Bristol, Ms Debbonaire said representing the city had been an “incredible honour”.

She congratulated Ms Denyer and said: "People who have put their trust in you will come to see what a great job you're about to do.

"Across the country, people have voted for a Labour government and I couldn't be prouder of my part in seeing that happen," Ms Debbonaire added.


Full Bristol Central results
Carla Denyer, Green Party elected MP, 24,539 votes (56.6%)
Thangam Debbonaire, Labour Party candidate, 14,132 votes (32.6%)
Samuel Williams, Conservative Party candidate, 1,998 votes (4.6%)
Robert Clarke, Reform UK candidate, 1,338 votes (3.1%).
Nicholas Coombes, Liberal Democrat candidate, 1,162 votes (2.7%)
Kellie-Jay Keen, Party of Women candidate, 196 votes (0.5%)

Bristol election - more headlines
North Somerset elects its first-ever Labour MP, Sadik Al-Hassan
Jacob Rees-Mogg loses his seat in North East Somerset and Hanham to Labour's Dan Norris
Former Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti said the Conservatives need to "learn the lessons"
Labour gain Weston-super-Mare
Karin Smyth, Labour candidate for Bristol South, keeps her seat

Green Party co-leader GAINS Waveney Valley from Tories

Chris Jarvis 

Left Foot Forward

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The Green Party’s co-leader Adrian Ramsay Adrian Ramsay has been elected as the MP for Waveney Valley.

Ramsay’s victory comes on an historic night for the Greens as he is the third MP elected for the party.

Before the 2024 general election, the Green Party had never won more than one MP.

Ramsay won 41.7% of the vote to the Tories’ 30.3%.

Speaking following his election, Ramsay said: “The voters of Waveney Valley have made a momentous and exciting decision today to vote for positive change, and I am profoundly humbled by the faith they have placed in me and the Green Party in electing me as their MP.

“I promise each and every one of them, whether they voted for me or not, that I will do my utmost to make sure their voices are heard by those who have neglected them, and rural East Anglia, for so long.

“Waveney Valley voters have shown that they no longer want to tolerate the complacency of the Conservative Party, who have always treated this region as their own, and that they want an MP who will stand up for and listen to local people.

“Today, in the beautiful Waveney Valley, we have made history. The people of Waveney Valley have shown that the Green Party appeals just as much in rural areas as it does in the cities. People here have embraced our message of hope and positivity, that there is action that can and must be taken to defend our environment and restore our public services – and that’s what I’ll be pressing for, on behalf of local people.

“I pledged during my campaign that I and any other Green Party MPs elected would hold the new Government to account and push for the action needed on the issues that people are most concerned about, and I recommit to that pledge today.

“I’ve had thousands of conversations with local residents over the last few years and I know they want an active and visible local MP, as well as someone who will be an independent-minded MP in Parliament. I am determined to fulfil that role. As a native East Anglian, I am clear that I will be Waveney Valley’s voice in Westminster, not Westminster’s voice in Waveney Valley. Standing up for our area and striving to make a difference for local people will be my top priority.

“Residents have said they are impressed at the strength of the local Green campaign and I must thank the amazing small team of staff and large team of volunteers who have put in an incredible amount of work and a highly organised campaign to make this happen. To everyone who voted for me, and everyone who has supported my campaign in any way: thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Ramsay’s co-leader Carla Denyer was elected in Bristol Central. In North Herefordshire, the Greens’ Ellie Chowns unseated a Tory MP.

Chris Jarvis is head of strategy and development at Left Foot Forward

SCOTTISH GREENS SECURE RECORD RESULTS ACROSS SCOTLAND

It has been a record general election result for the Scottish Greens.

With record results across the country, it has been a successful general election for the Scottish Greens and a big step towards securing record numbers of MSPs in 2026 and councillors in 2027. 

The party has significantly grown its vote across Scotland after a campaign that saw them stand a record 44 candidates.

This comes alongside a record UK-wide Green result and four Green MPs being elected to Westminster for England.

Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “Thank you to everyone who voted for the Scottish Greens. Every Green vote has sent a powerful message, demanding real action for people and planet and supporting Scotland’s right to choose its own future.

“These results are an important springboard for the Scottish Greens and show that we are well on track for big gains as we approach the next Scottish election in 2026 and the local elections in 2027.

“We have established our party as the third political force in Glasgow and have broken new ground across the country. 

“There have also been fantastic results for Green candidates in England, and I am certain that the four new Green MPs will be outstanding advocates for the transformative politics that we urgently need. 

“Like so many people in Scotland, I am delighted to see the Tories out of office. The scale of Labour’s victory shows the clear desire to close the door on 14 years of cruel, incompetent and climate wrecking Tory governments.

“Simply not being Rishi Sunak is not enough though. It’s not just a change in Prime Minister that we need, it is a change in politics.

“The Labour Party talked a lot about change, but their manifesto was one of the least ambitious in living memory. They have offered very little for our climate and nothing that will truly tackle the vast inequality that has been allowed to grow so much in our society. 

“Scotland cannot afford five more years of tepid status quo politics, and nor can our planet. We need bold policies that live up to the scale of the crisis our climate faces.

“The Scottish Greens stood on a platform of action to tackle poverty and the climate emergency, with a £28 billion green investment plan funded by taxes on the super rich and the big polluters. These are the kinds of ambitious changes that are badly needed.

“Scottish Green voices have never been so vital. We will build on this positive result and continue to fight for people and planet.”

'Bizarre': Anger as BBC passes over Greens despite equalling Reform in MPs

GREEN politicians have hit out at the BBC after their party was largely passed over in election coverage despite historic gains.

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK was a key point of discussion on BBC General Election coverage throughout the night, but despite winning the same number of seats the Greens hardly featured.

Carla Denyer, one of the co-leaders of the Greens in England and Wales, defeated Labour frontbencher Thangam Debbonaire in a huge win that saw her win more than 50% of the vote.

Green councillor Nate Higgins wrote on social media: “Waiting patiently for the BBC to mention Carla’s incredible win.”

Responding, Green MSP Ross Greer wrote: “Lots of great people at the BBC but their coverage tonight was bizarre.

“In this case they didn't go live to a party leader's sensational win over a shadow cabinet minister.

“Instead they stayed with the lengthy speech from Suella Braverman.”

Farage won the seat of Clacton, and his victory and following speech was broadcast on the BBC.

Denyer’s co-leader Adrian Ramsay also won his seat, overturning a Tory majority of 22,000 in Waveney Valley, a rural constituency in the east of England. Neither was shown on BBC coverage.

The Greens also won in Brighton Pavilion, which had been held by their party’s sole MP Caroline Lucas since 2010, and in North Herefordshire.

Green councillor Alex Powell wrote on social media: “So, like, are the media going to even mention North Herefordshire or Waveney Valley?

“You know, you'd think the Greens, historically viewed as very city focused, winning two rural Conservative heartlands might be something political journalists wished to discuss…”

Higgins also shared a post which stated: “Reform get four seats and the BBC talks about them for hours.

“The Greens get four seats and get about 20 minutes in total.”

Another social media user shared an image from the BBC showing five parties and their seat total, which included Reform and Farage, but excluded the Greens despite them also winning four MPs.

Higgins wrote: "Genuinely stunned how little attention the BBC has paid to Carla’s win. Literally five words. Shockingly poor judgement. This is historic."

And Powell added: "And then full coverage of both Farage and [Reform chair Richard] Tice's speech. Finding it very hard not to view it as bias."

Sinn Fein becomes largest Northern Ireland party in UK parliament

FILE PHOTO: Irish vote in European parliamentary elections

By Amanda Ferguson

BELFAST (Reuters) - Irish nationalists Sinn Fein became Northern Ireland's largest party in the British parliament for the first time on Friday, capitalising on a poor election for its main unionist rival to cross off another milestone in its campaign to end British rule.

With 17 of the 18 seats declared, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) had retained the seven seats won at the last election. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) were second on four seats and cannot catch Sinn Fein.


That was down on the eight seats the DUP won in 2019 and the losses included Ian Paisley Jr., the son of former Northern Ireland First Minister and party founder Ian Paisley. The father and son had held a seat at Westminster since 1970.

The DUP, the largest pro-British party in Northern Ireland, fought the election just three months after the shock resignation of then leader Jeffrey Donaldson after he was charged over historical sex offences.

Sinn Fein's victory marked an electoral clean sweep for the party, which in 2022 became the first nationalist party to win the most seats at the regional assembly since Northern Ireland's creation in 1921, and won at local council polls a year later.

It also took over as Northern Ireland's largest party in Westminster despite its long-standing policy of not taking up its seats there.

(Writing by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Conor Humphries)

Gregory Campbell retains East Londonderry by slim margin over Sinn Fein

Sarah McCurdy, PA
Fri, 5 July 2024 


Gregory Campbell has promised to build a “better future for our people” as he retained the East Londonderry seat he has held for 23 years.

Mr Campbell, who has now topped the poll for the DUP in seven consecutive general elections, received just 179 more votes than Sinn Fein’s Kathleen McGurk.

The last of the 18 Northern Ireland constituencies to be called, the announcement was made shortly before 8am on Friday after a full recount.

After promising a short speech, Mr Campbell said: “I couldn’t have had a better team, they canvassed thousands upon thousands of doors and I thank them one and all.

Kathleen McGurk of Sinn Fein hugged party deputy leader Michelle O’Neill as she conceded defeat in East Londonderry at Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt (Niall Carson/PA)

“Thirty years ago, those who had started the needless slaughter of the innocents finally realised that they had to stop.

“Those who held the line against them, forcing them to do so were the peacemakers. We’re in a different era now thanks to those genuine peacemakers.

“There is no disguising that there is still massive political differences between all of us on the platform and out there in the country.

“We must build a better future for our people, those we agree with and those we disagree with.

“As we build that better future there cannot be any rewriting of the past.

“Those here in Northern Ireland advocating massive change of a political nature are doomed to failure.

“We are where we are. Let’s show the people, all of the people, that we are up to the task of improving their lives of those we are privileged to represent.”

Whilst claiming victory, the DUP reduced its majority for the first time since the 2010 election, not helped by the fact that three unionist candidates were standing this time round.

The TUV, who did not contest East Londonderry in the previous general election, fielded Causeway Coast and Glens Councillor Allister Kyle. He finished on 4,363.

Mr Campbell’s nearest challenger in 2019, Cara Hunter of the SDLP, saw her vote share at 5,260.

Turnout for East Londonderry was 54.7%.



Sinn Féin on course to have more MPs than any other Northern Ireland party

Rory Carroll 

Ireland correspondent

Thu, 4 July 2024 


Sinn Féin leaders Michelle O'Neill and Mary Lou McDonald celebrate as Cathal Mallaghan is elected MP for Mid Ulster.Photograph: Niall Carson/PA


The Democratic Unionist party (DUP) is on track to lose three of its eight seats, which would leave Sinn Féin as the Northern Ireland party with most MPs.

The DUP lost the Lagan Valley seat vacated by its former leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who faces sexual offence charges, and suffered a stunning defeat in North Antrim where Ian Paisley lost a seat held by his family since 1970. It also lost South Antrim and had reduced majorities elsewhere.

The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), Ulster Unionists and Alliance were poised to take the DUP seats but the symbolic winner will be Sinn Féin which retained its seven seats and is on course to complete a hat-trick as the biggest party in local government, the Stormont assembly and Westminster.

The DUP leader, Gavin Robinson, fended off a challenge from Alliance’s Naomi Long in East Belfast but that could not conceal a devastating election for unionism’s biggest party.

Its record on Brexit and other missteps left it squeezed between moderate and hardline rivals.

In an astonishing reversal in North Antrim, Paisley, the son and namesake of the DUP’s late founder, came second to Jim Allister of the TUV, who blamed the DUP for post-Brexit checks on goods coming from Great Britain, which he said weakened Northern Ireland’s place in the UK.

“This is a momentous outcome and is the end of an era and a dynasty,” said Allister. “Unionism does need to regroup in the light of what has happened and the DUP needs to carry the responsibility for their losses.”

Reform had originally backed the TUV but after becoming leader, Nigel Farage endorsed Paisley, a Brexiter ally. “I might say I’m here in spite of you, Nigel,” said Allister. Paisley conceded defeat and said the tides of life ebbed and flowed.

Sorcha Eastwood of Alliance won Lagan Valley in a historic swing for what used to be a unionist bastion. The DUP fielded Jonathan Buckley to replace Donaldson, who had held the seat for decades and stepped aside after being charged with sexual offences, which he denies.

Eastwood called it a “huge achievement” for her party. “I’m a Lagan Valley girl born and bred, and this has been in our heart for a long time and I’m just delighted,” she said. Alliance’s joy was tempered by its deputy leader, Stephen Farry, losing his seat in North Down to the independent unionist Alex Eastwood.

The Ulster Unionist candidate Robin Swann, a former Stormont health minister, ousted the DUP’s Paul Girvan as MP for South Antrim.

The Social Democratic and Labour party retained its two MPs, Colum Eastwood and Claire Hanna.

Sinn Féin held its seven seats and whittled the majority of the East Derry seat held by the DUP’s Gregory Campbell, prompting a recount. The republican party’s leader, Michelle O’Neill, called it a “tremendous result right across the board”.

Sinn Fein’s new MP for Newry and Armagh promises ‘positive change’

Joanne Sweeney, PA
Thu, 4 July 2024 



Sinn Fein’s new MP for Newry and Armagh said that his supporters voted for “strong leadership and positive change” as he celebrated gaining an increased majority for his party.

Daire Hughes polled top with 22,299 votes, gaining an extra 2,012 votes more than Sinn Fein’s departing MP, Mickey Brady, who announced his intention not to stand again in the safe seat earlier this year.

The former mayor of Newry and Mourne council said: “This election was about endorsing strong leadership and positive change and the people of Newry and Armagh have done just that.

“They voted for decisions about their future to be made here, at home, in Ireland. They voted to support better funding for public services. I would like to thank each and every person who voted for me and Sinn Fein yesterday. We are committed to working hard for all and that is precisely what we intend to do.”

He pledged to oppose UK Government cuts and to work for a united Ireland in partnership with all of Sinn Fein’s MLAs, TDs and MEPs to “reach our economic, cultural and social potential”.

The SDLP’s Pete Byrne came second, losing ground from his previous election performance, receiving 6,806 votes compared to 9,449 in 2019.

He told his supporters: “I came into politics to make this place a better place to live, work and raise a family. I said when I stood here in 2019 in third place that I was just rolling up my sleeves. They are still fully rolled up; I still believe in that vision.”

Gareth Wilson of the Democratic Unionist Party took third place with 5,900 votes; with Keith Ratcliffe of the TUV receiving 4,099 votes.

Sam Nicholson, son of former MEP Jim Nicholson, polled 3,175 votes. Helena Young of the Alliance Party received 2,692 votes. Aontu’s Liam Reichenberg won 888 votes, while Conservative Samantha Rayner got 83.

Allister unseats Paisley in shock victory in North Antrim

by Press Association
July 5 2024,

The DUP’s Ian Paisley Jr, who had held the North Antrim seat since 2010, lost to TUV leader Jim Allister (Niall Carson/PA)

There has been a “seismic political earthquake” in North Antrim, TUV leader Jim Allister said as he was elected the constituency’s MP.

It meant Ian Paisley Jr lost the seat he has held since 2010, in a shock end to a family dynasty in the region.

Mr Allister was elected MP with 28.3% of the valid poll – 11,642 votes, a narrow majority of just 450.

North Antrim was regarded as one of the safest DUP constituencies going into the election, having been held by either Mr Paisley or his father since 1970.

TUV leader Jim Allister of the TUV is elected MP for North Antrim following the count at Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt (Niall Carson/PA)

Mr Paisley Jr came a close second with 11,192 votes – in a dramatic negative 23.6 point share change.

Speaking at the Magherafelt count centre after his election, Mr Allister took aim at the DUP’s negotiations with the UK Government over post-Brexit trade arrangements, particularly under the leadership of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.

He said: “Today we mark an occasion when, after 54 years of DUP and Ian Paisley dynasty, North Antrim has taken an alternative course.

“That is an alternative course which signals a number of things. Amongst those is a very clear indication that the unionist people of North Antrim will not be taken for granted and certainly will not be taken for fools.

“Because the DUP just a few weeks ago, sought to hoodwink every unionist in this province, when they pretended the Donaldson deal had got rid of the Irish Sea border and restored our place in the United Kingdom – those were brazen falsehoods.”

Ian Paisley Jr watches a partial recount of votes for the North Antrim constituency at Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt (Niall Carson/PA

Mr Allister pledged to “never lose focus” on issues such as EU law operating in Northern Ireland, adding: “It is beyond shameful that in this part of the United Kingdom there has been that subjugation of sovereignty whereby the foreign institution holds sway and control in our lives.”

He said North Antrim now has a “new starting point”.

There had been a decline in Mr Paisley’s majority in recent elections but in 2019 he was still far ahead – by 12,721 votes.

Speaking on Friday morning, the outgoing MP congratulated his successor and commended the other candidates.

Mr Paisley said being a Member of Parliament for 14 years was a “huge privilege”.

The tides of life ebb and flow, as we all know. Life is made up of many chapters and I embrace the next chapter as happily as I embraced the previous chaptersIan Paisley Jr

He said: “The tides of life ebb and flow, as we all know.”

He added: “Life is made up of many chapters and I embrace the next chapter as happily as I embraced the previous chapters.”

Mr Allister’s decision to run in the constituency had been expected to put a dent in Mr Paisley’s majority but his victory is seen as one of the major surprises of election night.


His party suffered a major blow last month when Reform UK leader Nigel Farage personally endorsed Mr Paisley and another DUP election candidate, despite his party having an official electoral alliance with the TUV in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein’s Philip McGuigan received 7,714 votes, while 4,488 went to Alliance’s Raicheal Mhic Niocaill, and Ulster Unionist Jackson Minford claimed 3,901.

TUV leader Jim Allister unseats Ian Paisley in shock victory in North Antrim

By Cillian Sherlock
Published 5th Jul 2024

There has been a “seismic political earthquake” in North Antrim, TUV leader Jim Allister said as he was elected the constituency’s MP.

It meant Ian Paisley Jr lost the seat he has held since 2010, in a shock end to a family dynasty in the region.

Mr Allister was elected MP with 28.3% of the valid poll – 11,642 votes, a narrow majority of just 450.

North Antrim was regarded as one of the safest DUP constituencies going into the election, having been held by either Mr Paisley or his father since 1970.

Ian Paisley loses his North Antrim seat at Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Mr Paisley Jr came a close second with 11,192 votes – in a dramatic negative 23.6 point share change.

Speaking at the Magherafelt count centre after his election, Mr Allister took aim at the DUP’s negotiations with the UK Government over post-Brexit trade arrangements, particularly under the leadership of Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.

He said: “Today we mark an occasion when, after 54 years of DUP and Ian Paisley dynasty, North Antrim has taken an alternative course.

“That is an alternative course which signals a number of things. Amongst those is a very clear indication that the unionist people of North Antrim will not be taken for granted and certainly will not be taken for fools.

“Because the DUP just a few weeks ago, sought to hoodwink every unionist in this province, when they pretended the Donaldson deal had got rid of the Irish Sea border and restored our place in the United Kingdom – those were brazen falsehoods.”

Mr Allister pledged to “never lose focus” on issues such as EU law operating in Northern Ireland, adding: “It is beyond shameful that in this part of the United Kingdom there has been that subjugation of sovereignty whereby the foreign institution holds sway and control in our lives.”

He said North Antrim now has a “new starting point”.

There had been a decline in Mr Paisley’s majority in recent elections but in 2019 he was still far ahead – by 12,721 votes.

Speaking on Friday morning, the outgoing MP congratulated his successor and commended the other candidates.

Mr Paisley said being a Member of Parliament for 14 years was a “huge privilege”.

He said: “The tides of life ebb and flow, as we all know.”

He added: “Life is made up of many chapters and I embrace the next chapter as happily as I embraced the previous chapters.”

Mr Allister’s decision to run in the constituency had been expected to put a dent in Mr Paisley’s majority but his victory is seen as one of the major surprises of election night.

His party suffered a major blow last month when Reform UK leader Nigel Farage personally endorsed Mr Paisley and another DUP election candidate, despite his party having an official electoral alliance with the TUV in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein’s Philip McGuigan received 7,714 votes, while 4,488 went to Alliance’s Raicheal Mhic Niocaill, and Ulster Unionist Jackson Minford claimed 3,901.

The Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) is a unionist political party in Northern Ireland. In common with all other Northern Irish unionist parties, the TUV's political programme has as its sine qua non the preservation of Northern Ireland's place within the United Kingdom. A founding precept of the party is that "nothing which is morally wrong can be politically right".^[6]

The TUV was formed in December 2007 by Jim Allister after he and others had resigned from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in March of that year.^[7] At the time of his resignation, Allister was a prominent figure in the DUP and held the position of Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the party having been elected to the European Parliament in 2004. The reason for the split was DUP leader Ian Paisley's March 2007 consent to the St Andrews Agreement and his willingness to become First Minister of Northern Ireland alongside a deputy First Minister from the Irish Republican party Sinn Féin.^[8]

Traditional Unionist Voice - Wikipedia

N.Ireland's Donaldson to go to trial over rape, other sexual offence charges

Charges of historical sex offences against the former leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)

Reuters
Wed, 3 July 2024 



Northern Ireland's Donaldson in court for a preliminary enquiry over historical sex offence charges

NEWRY, Northern Ireland (Reuters) - Charges of historical sex offences against the former leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Jeffrey Donaldson, can proceed to trial, a judge ruled on Wednesday after prosecutors presented further charges.

Donaldson, 61, stepped down suddenly as head of the British region's largest unionist party in March after the DUP said he had been charged with allegations of an historical nature. He is one of Northern Ireland's best-known politicians.

Donaldson, who appeared in court on Wednesday, faces 18 historical sex offence charges, including one count of rape. Prosecutors had originally brought 11 charges against him.

The charges include 13 counts of indecent assault on a female child and four counts of gross indecency towards a child. The charges relate to two complainants and the events allegedly took place between 1985 and 2008.

Donaldson's wife, Eleanor, also appeared in court and faces five charges, including aiding and abetting rape. She had initially faced four charges.

Judge Eamonn King said he was satisfied that both have a case to answer. He asked them if they understood the charges, which they confirmed. No pleas were taken.

The matter will be back before the court on Sept. 10 when the trial will be scheduled.

(This story has been corrected to fix the start date of charges, to 1985 from 1987, in paragraph 4)

(Reporting by Amanda Ferguson anfd Padraic Halpin; editing by Mark Heinrich)

Pro-Gaza candidates squeeze Labour vote in Muslim areas

By Becky Morton, 

BBC Political reporter


Labour has lost a number of former strongholds to independent candidates campaigning on pro-Gaza platforms.

In one of the biggest shocks of the night, shadow minister Jonathan Ashworth lost his Leicester South seat, which had a majority of more than 22,000.

The party's vote is down on average by 11 points in seats where more than 10% of the population identify as Muslim.

In Ilford North, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting was among those who saw his majority slashed - from more than 9,000 to 528.

But Labour managed to win back Rochdale from George Galloway.

Overall it was a spectacular night for Labour, with the party winning a landslide victory.

However, in areas with a high proportion of Muslim voters the party performed badly.

So far, Labour has lost five seats with large Muslim populations - four to independents and one to the Conservatives.

In Leicester South, Shockat Adam declared "this is for Gaza" as he won the seat by 979 votes.

The constituency, where around 30% of the electorate are Muslim, has been held by Mr Ashworth for 13 years.

In nearby Leicester East, the Conservatives benefitted from independent candidates picking up several thousand votes, particularly the area's former Labour MP Claudia Webbe.

Ms Webbe, who was expelled from the party after she was charged and later convicted of harassment, has been a vocal pro-Palestinian campaigner.

The Tories won her former seat by 4,426 votes, less than the number secured by Ms Webbe.

In Birmingham Perry Barr, Labour's Khalid Mahmood lost to independent Ayoub Khan by 507 votes.

Meanwhile, independent candidates who made the conflict in Gaza central to their campaign won in Dewsbury and Batley, as well as Blackburn, which both previously had healthy Labour majorities.

Other senior Labour figures in areas with large Muslim populations only narrowly held their seats after seeing their majorities eaten away.

In Ilford North, independent candidate Leanne Mohamad, who is the granddaughter of Palestinian refugees, was just 528 votes behind Mr Streeting.

In Birmingham Ladywood, shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood held off a challenge from independent candidate and lawyer Akhmed Yakoob, who has a large following on TikTok.

However, her majority fell from more than 32,000 to 3,421.

Similarly Jess Phillips, who quit the Labour frontbench to vote for a Gaza ceasefire in Parliament last year, also saw her majority slashed from 13,141 to just 693.

Jody McIntyre, who stood for Mr Galloway's Workers Party of Britain, came second.

Ms Phillips faced shouts and booing as she gave her speech after the result, describing the campaign as "the worst election I have ever stood in" and claiming her activists had faced intimidation and violence.

In Bethnal Green and Stepney, in east London, shadow small business minister Rushnara Ali, who was defending a majority of more than 31,000, beat independent candidate Ajmal Masroor by just 1,689 votes.

At his own count, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faced heckles of "Free Palestine" and saw his majority cut, with pro-Gaza independent Andrew Feinsten coming second with 7,312 votes.

In Islington North, his predecessor as Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn retained his seat as an independent, after being suspended from the party over his response to a report on antisemitism in Labour.

Mr Corbyn beat the Labour candidate by more than 7,000 votes.

However, in Rochdale, Labour's Paul Waugh ousted Workers Party leader Mr Galloway, just months after he won the seat in a by-election dominated by the Gaza conflict.

Labour has faced growing pressure over its stance on the conflict, since Israel launched a military campaign in response to Hamas's unprecedented attack on 7 October.

In February Labour called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza but critics said the party was too slow to reach that position.

In its manifesto, Labour has committed to recognising a Palestinian state.

Last year, Sir Keir was criticised after appearing to say Israel had the "right" to cut off water and energy to Gaza.

He later clarified that he meant only that the country had a right to self-defence.