LABOUR’S Damien Egan has become the first MP to represent the new Bristol North East constituency.
Mr Egan, who was the last MP for the now-abolished Kingswood constituency after winning a by-election in February, won the seat he was originally selected for last year with a majority of more than 11,000 over the Green Party’s Lorraine Francis.
Conservative Rose Hulse was third.
It came on a night of electoral disaster for the Tories, who saw big names such as Liz Truss, Jacob-Rees Mogg, Penny Mordaunt and Grant Shapps lose their seats, as Labour secured more than 400 seats, and a majority of more than 170.
Former Lewisham Mayor Mr Egan, who grew up in Kingswood, Fishponds and Staple Hill, had become an MP earlier than expected when former Conservative minister Chris Skidmore resigned his Kingswood seat in January, sparking a by-election the following month.
Mr Skidmore had declared he would be voting Labour before the general election.
After the result was announced Mr Egan said: “Bristol North East has joined the rest of the country in voting for change at this election.
“Labour has improved Britain before, I know Labour can do that again.
“I am so proud that I can play a small part and represent the community that I love and am from.
“Thank you to the people of Bristol North East for putting their faith in me.”
Full result:
Damien Egan (Labour) 19,004
Lorraine Francis (Green) 7,837
Rose Hulse (Conservative) 6,216
Anthony New (Reform UK) 5,418
Louise Harris (Liberal Democrats) 1,964
Asif Ali (Independent) 1,029
Dan Smart (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition) 399
Tommy Trueman (Social Democratic Party) 122
Turnout: 60.2%
Top picture: Damian Egan speaks after the result is announced at the count, at City Academy in Redfield