Lib Dems slash Tory majority in Cameron’s old seat

The Conservatives held David Cameron’s former seat following a by-election, but with a majority cut by more than 20,000 votes.

Robert Courts, a barrister, saw the Tory majority he inherited in Witney reduced from more than 25,000 at last year’s general election to just 5,702.

The Liberal Democrats overtook Labour to come second with a 19.3 per cent swing from the Conservatives, in a seat where they finished a distant fourth last year.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Courts paid tribute to Mr Cameron, who he described as “a great prime minister and a brilliant MP” for the Oxfordshire constituency.

The former prime minister quit as the constituency’s MP in September because he feared becoming a “distraction” for Theresa May.

A second by-election saw Tracy Brabin, a former Coronation Street actress, elected as MP for Batley and Spen following the death of Jo Cox, who was shot and stabbed in June.

Ms Brabin took 86 per cent of the vote, holding the seat for Labour. None of the other major parties stood, in tribute to Mrs Cox. Nine independent and fringe party candidates all lost their deposits.