Labour has its first MP in Filton & Bradley Stoke since the constituency was created 14 years ago.
Community engagement worker and charity trustee Claire Hazelgrove beat sitting Conservative MP Jack Lopresti by exactly 10,000 votes in July 4’s general election.
A night of electoral disaster for the Tories saw the party lose every seat it was defending in South Gloucestershire, B&NES and North Somerset, while nationally big names such as Liz Truss, Jacob-Rees Mogg and Grant Shapps were among those dumped out of Parliament.
Mr Lopresti had been defending a majority of 5,646 from the 2019 election, when he received 48.9% of all the votes cast. But the number of votes received by the sitting MP fell by more than half, from 26,293 five years ago to 12,905.
Ms Hazelgrove increased Labour’s share of the vote from 38.4% to 45.5%. The number of Labour votes was just 2,258 higher than in 2019, but the collapse in the Tory vote resulted in a swing of 17.6% to Labour.
Reform UK’s Stephen Burge came third, with 6,819 votes. Unlike some nearby constituencies where Conservatives lost, Reform’s vote was smaller than the size of the Labour majority.
Its predecessor, the Brexit Party, had not put up a candidate in the constituency in 2019, after deciding not to contest the seats of sitting Conservative MPs.
The Greens stayed in fourth place but increased their share of the vote from 2.9% to 8.2%.
The Liberal Democrats, who had concentrated their on a successful campaign in neighbouring Thornbury & Yate, fell from third place to fifth.
The Filton & Bradley Stoke constituency’s boundaries had changed to include Emersons Green and Lyde Green, as well as some parts of Downend previously in the Kingswood constituency, which was abolished. It lost Staple Hill and parts of Severnside in the boundary change.
Turnout was 65.12%, down from 72.6% in 2019.
Speaking after the result was declared in the early hours of July 5, Ms Hazelgrove said: “It’s the honour of my life to stand before you as Filton & Bradley Stoke’s first Labour MP. I’d like to thank everyone across our community who put their trust in me and in Labour to restore civility, security and fairness.
“I know that many people voted Labour for the very first time in this election. I will work hard to repay your trust, but no matter how you voted. I will work every day to serve everyone in our communities as an active, impactful and approachable MP you can be proud of.
“Coming from a family of teachers, NHS workers and RAF service members, I’ve long believed in the importance of stepping forward to serve others.”
Mr Lopresti, who had held the seat since it was created in 2010, said: “It’s been the absolute honour of my life to represent the wonderful people of the Filton & Bradley Stoke constituency community, our area, and I’d like to thank them all for their support, their kindness and what we’ve achieved together over the last 14 years. We’ve got a fantastic new town being built on the airfield site, a STEM learning centre which pays homage to our fantastic aviation heritage and history, and a permanent, fitting memorial for the last Concorde.
“I’d like to congratulate Claire for the way she’s conducted her campaign. The way we’ve dealt with each other has been professional, courteous and kind, and may I wish her all the luck in the world, and I am sure she will make a very good Member of Parliament.”
Afterwards the Voice asked Ms Hazelgrove what was the first thing she would do to improve life for her constituents.
The new MP said: “Local people voted for change, and I’ll be getting on with the job immediately. I’ll be voting in support of the new Labour government’s programme to bring back security, stability and fairness so that we can start the hard work of change needed.”
Ms Hazelgrove said the issues that had cropped up most on doorsteps during her two years of campaigning were the cost of living and the state of the NHS.
She said: “These are two of the top priorities for me as your new MP and for our new Labour government.”
RESULTS:
Claire Hazelgrove (LAB) 22,905;
Jack Lopresti (CON) 12,905;
Steve Burge (REF) 6,819;
James Nelson (GRN) 4,142;
Benet Allen (LD) 3,596.