Holly holds on to Halifax but majority is halved

LABOUR’S HOLLY Lynch won her third election in four years, at last week’s General Election

The 33 year old MP defended her Halifax seat and received 21,496 votes, beating Conservative Kashif Ali’s 18,927 votes.

Brexit Party candidate Sarah Wood received 2,813 votes.

Liberal Democrat James Baker received 2,276 votes.

First time candidate Bella Jessop, of the Green Party, received 946 votes.

A total of 46,000 ballot papers were received, with a 64.82% voter turnout in the Halifax constituency.

Ms Lynch said she was “truly humbled” to be represent Halifax again.

“I’m delighted to be re-elected by the people of Halifax, it’s a real honour to have won a third term,” she said.

But her majority was halved decreasing from 5,376 to 2,569.

She went on to say that the election was “very disappointing evening for the Labour Party nationally”, and that a “lot of soul searching” will be needed.

She stated that the public “had a lot of enthusiasm” for Labour policies, but there were “questions about how they would be paid for” and their attitude towards Brexit.

Ms Lynch also said that a “change in leadership” would be required.

Despite failing to secure the seat, Tory candidate Kashif Ali was pleased with his campaign and the overall Conservative general election win.

“It was always going to be a tough seat.

“But we have a majority Conservative government that can finally deliver Brexit after three and a half years of parliament stopping that.

“My immediate feelings are joy and I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Mr Ali.

Meanwhile Halifax’s Brexit Party candidate Sarah Wood has shared her thoughts on being a part of the General Election.

“I’m feeling an awful lot of gratitude to be here in this hall tonight. I’m really happy with the way I’ve ran my campaign and the way my campaign team have performed throughout,” said Ms Wood.

Green candidate Bella Jessop said: “I just want to thank everybody that worked on my campaign.

“I think the Green campaign in Halifax has actually gone very well. We’ve had some good feedback.”

VICTORY: Labour’s Holly Lynch retained her seat in Halifax but with a vastly reduced majority. Photo by Allan Mckenzie.

RELIEF: Labour’s Holly Lynch and Brexit Party’s Sarah Wood, right, as the Halifax result is announced by returning officer Robin Tuddenham.