Labour’s Chris Webb claimed a landslide win in Blackpool South to take the seat from the Conservatives.
A bruising night for the party was almost made even worse as candidate David Jones narrowly avoided an embarrassing third place at the hands of Reform UK. The Tories' vote share fell from 49.6% in 2019 to just 17.51%.
Afterwards, Webb issued a direct challenge to the Prime Minister and his “failed Government”, saying it was time to call a General Election and let the whole country have the same chance Blackpool South had.
The seat became vacant thanks to the ignominious departure of Scott Benton who faced sanctions from the Parliamentary Standards Committee after breaching lobbying rules during an undercover sting by The Times. He tried and failed to appeal his punishment before decrying a recall petition as a waste of taxpayer money, only to ensure it really was wasted by resigning only after it had been launched.
Held on the same night as local, mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections, the by-election brought national attention to Blackpool South, with dozens of reporters and photographers attending the count at Blackpool Sports Centre. Inside the main hall, lockers full of sports equipment could be seen on one side, a makeshift TV studio on another.
From the outset of the campaign, Chris Webb had been the overwhelming favourite to win having established himself locally over recent years, effectively acting as direct opposition to Benton. A public sector worker, food bank volunteer and former Deputy PCC, he had spoken often about his desire to fight for the communities of his home town.
Hours after the count began, he was the last candidate to arrive at the sports centre and was greeted with loud applause and cheers from Labour members as he hugged his family amid a flurry of camera flashes. By that point, the piles of votes which had already been counted indicated a comfortable victory.
Such was the confidence in a Labour win, most attention on the night was drawn to the battle for second place and whether the Conservatives could hold off the battle of Reform UK candidate Mark Butcher.
Before votes were counted, Jones refused to be drawn on the matter, while playing down the party’s chances. He said: “We started this with a 97% [chance of a] Labour win. I’ve always referred to myself as the underdog and we’ve been that all the way through the campaign.”
Amid a collapse in support nationally, Jones insisted “we are here to win” but Blackpool’s Tories never really felt much hope they could hold the seat.
For Reform UK, the party backed by millionaire former-Tory donor Richard Tice, the night proved to be a big success. Tice’s presence in the sports hall hinted at optimism the party would claim second place and for a long while it seemed like that may happen. In the end, just 117 votes separated the two and spared the Tories from further humiliation.
Speaking to Sky News before the results were declared, he said: “We’re the party on the up and what’s rapidly becoming clear, you are seeing it in some council elections elsewhere, in the north-east, is that we are becoming the real opposition in the north to the Labour party.”
The rest of the candidates never had much hope of achieving a shock result and that’s how it played out. The Official Monster Raving Loony Party came to have a good time, with puppets and masks only part of their extravagant appearance. For the Green candidate, Ben Thomas, the most dramatic moment was when his father was turned away from the count having not registered to attend.
Speaking after the result was declared, Webb said: “Blackpool has had enough of this failed Government. It has crashed the economy, destroyed our public services and put up taxes. They have said it is time for change and that change started here in Blackpool tonight.”
Addressing the voters, he added: “I’m humbled by your support, that every ward in this town voted for me. Whether you voted for me or not, I promise to work for you and try to restore trust in politics.”
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