Labour hold off challenge from SNP in Inverclyde byelection

Iain McKenzie tells supporters 'Labour's fightback has started here' after winning majority of 5,838

Labour held on to the Westminster seat of Inverclyde in the party's first real test since its defeat in the Scottish parliamentary elections.

Iain McKenzie was elected with 15,118 votes in the byelection, a majority of 5,838, with the Scottish National Party's Anne McLaughlin coming second with 9,280 votes.

Although Labour's majority was down by around 9,000 from last year's general election, the result was welcomed with relief by the party as the SNP came within 500 votes of winning the equivalent Holyrood seat in Scottish elections in May.

The Lib Dems' support collapsed. Their candidate Sophie Bridger won only 627 votes, down from 5,007 in the general election. The Conservative candidate David Wilson won 2,784, and Ukip's Mitch Sorbie took 288.

The byelection was called after the sudden death of Labour MP and former minister David Cairns, shortly after the SNP's landslide victory in May's Scottish parliament elections.

Despite holding the Westminster seat and its near equivalents for some 80 years, Labour had been struggling to defend its 14,416 vote majority against the SNP. But the partypressed activists into a surge of campaigning, drafting in ex-deputy PM Lord Prescott the day before polling.

In his victory speech, McKenzie said: "First can I say this is an election none of us wanted.

"We would have much preferred that our dear friend, and widely respected MP David Cairns was still among us and still selflessly serving the people of Inverclyde as he did for 10 years before he was tragically taken from us.

"Can I say I'm enormously humbled to be elected to succeed David, and continue his work, standing up for our communities, fighting for fairness and opportunities for our people?

"Make no mistake. This was a good night for Inverclyde and a good night for Labour too.

"I'm proud to be part of the Labour party, renewing i! tself un der the leadership of Ed Miliband, listening more, working harder and challenging for better, to get back in touch with those we seek to serve.

"And I'm proud that my community of Inverclyde has paid an important step in Labour's mission to win back the trust of the people both here in Scotland and south of the border.

"Remember, only weeks ago the SNP came within 511 votes of winning here, but tonight the voters of Inverclyde have rejected them this time giving myself and the Scottish Labour Party not a 500 majority, but over 5,000 of a majority.

"Labour's fightback has started right here in Inverclyde my home town."


guardian.co.uk Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds


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