LABOUR pulled off one of the biggest upsets in this year’s general election by overturning a majority of more than 18,000 and toppling the Conservatives in Congleton.
The Tories looked tired, weary and deflated as Labour’s Sarah Russell polled 18,875 to take the seat, which has always been a Conservative stronghold since the constituency was first formed more than 40 years ago.
Fiona Bruce, who has been Congleton MP since 2010 and won four general elections, polled 15,488 votes.
This was less than half the votes she polled just over four years ago, when she had secured 33,747.
During her speech after the declaration, Mrs Russell thanked Mrs Bruce who, she said ‘ran a clean campaign and has given 14 years of service to this constituency'.
After thanking her campaign team and Labour activists, Mrs Russell said:" I want to say an enormous thank you to the voters.
"Thank you for putting your faith in me and in Labour - I know many of you, for the first time.
"I will do my absolute best to be the hardworking MP that you deserve."
She continued: "This has been a historic occasion.
“The Labour Party has focused on the priorities of the people, and it's a changed Labour party that has been elected tonight.
“This victory is for the people who spoke to me on the doorstep and who cried because they were finding things so difficult under a Tory government.”
She added: “There is no magic wand. This is going to be a difficult task, but we've got practical steps that we intend to take as soon as possible.
“But we are realistic. It is going to take some time to bring about countrywide change and change in this constituency, but things can be better.
“You voted for change, and it is coming.”
Mrs Bruce did not give a speech after the declaration but one Congleton Tory told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they believe a lot of people who normally vote for them this time voted for Reform UK.
She added the Conservative party only had itself to blame for what had happened nationally.
Results: Fiona Bruce (Con) 15,488; Paul Duffy (Lib Dem) 2,785; Richard McCarthy (Green) 2,007; Rob Moreton (Ind) 2,181; Sarah Russell (Lab) 18,875; Kay Wesley (Women’s Equality Party) 544; Martin York (Reform UK) 8,245.
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