Labour hold Newport West with reduced majority after by-election
2 min read
Labour has held onto the constituency of Newport West but with a reduced majority.
Ruth Jones saw off the challenge from the Conservative candidate Matthew Evans to retain the seat.
But both main parties saw their share of the vote fall as support for Ukip increased.
Ms Jones received 9,308 votes, with Mr Evans polls 7,357 - giving Labour a majority of 1,951. That was well down on the late Paul Flynn's 5,658 margin of victory at the last general election.
Overall, Labour's share of the vote was 39.6%, down by nearly 13 points from two years ago. The Tories' was down by eight points at 31.3%.
Ukip's Neil Hamilton received 2,023 votes, nearly double was the party polled in 2017, with Plaid Cymru third on 1,185 and the Lib Dems fifth with 1,088.
The by-election was called in February following Mr Flynn's death at the age of 84. He had held Newport West since 1987.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "Ruth will be a fantastic successor to Paul Flynn and will take up the tireless work he carried out for this community.
"Tonight’s result sends a clear message that the people of Newport and Wales are fed up of austerity which has robbed the Welsh economy of £1 billion through needless cuts, and shows support for Labour’s alternative.
"Labour will reverse these cuts and support the Welsh Labour government and First Minister Mark Drakeford to rebuild communities like Newport with proper investment to create a society that works for the many, not the few.
"I thank Ruth Jones and the whole Labour team for the energetic and positive campaign we ran together to win Newport West so we can keep challenging this chaotic Tory government and build towards a Labour government."
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