Jake left ‘humbled’ by victory in Valley
CONSERVATIVE Jake Berry fought off a resurgent Labour challenge to hold on to Rossendale and Darwen.
In his victory speech Mr Berry said he felt “humbled” to be returned again as MP - after defeating Labour council leader Alyson Barnes, albeit with a reduced majority of 3,216.
Addressing the Whitworth Riverside following the count, he said: “It’s a fantastic feeling to have the privilege of representing Rossendale and Darwen again as its member of Parliament. I’m deeply humbled by the trust the voters have put in me.
“I vow that I will do my best to serve you as well as I can and ensure that here in Rossendale in Darwen we create a fairer, happier, more prosperous society.
He thanked the other candidates for a “really good election” and said he hoped to work “very closely” in future with Rossendale council leader Ms Barnes.
Ms Barnes was scathing in her attack of the treatment of voters by the Conservative government, saying they had treated the electorate with “contempt”.
She said: “I do need to thank the residents who voted Labour this time. I think it’s quite staggering really this election has cost this country £150 million. The Prime Minister called this election to strengthen her hand, she had a 20 points lead in the polls. And of course, snap election does play to the incumbent, doesn’t it? “What we’ve seen this evening is the people of this country have been taken for granted. I think they have been treated with contempt. And I think we’ve seen it tonight that we’re not prepared to tolerate that anymore.”
Liberal Democrat candidate Sean Bonner, who achieved 3.1 per cent was stoic in the face of low support in the Valley.
He said: “I think we have held our ground and made some gains which is all that was to be expected. I think it’s a long hard road back but at least we have made the first step. After the last one I think we shouldn’t touch another coalition with a barge pole.”
Green candidate John Payne, sporting a fetching handmade rosette, said he believes the party has been hit by tactical voting across the country.
Mr Payne who achieved 1.6 per cent of the vote, said: “We would like to see a voting system where everyone voted for the party they like best and that needs a proper proportional electoral system.”