Double joy for Conservatives
THE Conservatives took the crucial marginal seats of Hazel Grove and Cheadle from the Liberal Democrats on a triumphant election night for the party.
In Hazel Grove William Wragg defeated the Liberal Democrats’ Lisa Smart, who was defending the seat for the party after the retirement of longserving MP Sir Andrew Stunell.
And in Cheadle, Mary Robinson ousted Mark Hunter.
Mr Wragg received 17882 votes – 6,552 more than second-placed Ms Smart.
Asked about the reasons behind his victory the 27-year-old former primary school teacher said: “I think we had a strong, positive campaign which emphasised what I wanted to achieve for the area.
“Obviously we have also benefited from the national picture which has been very good for the Conservatives.”
He added that his priority for the area was to improve transport infrastructure with the A6 bypass high on his list of issues to address.
The seat was aggressively targeted by the Tories, who sent Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson to the constituency to bolster Mr Wragg’s bid.
Ms Smart also came under fire from Tory education secretary Nicky Morgan for hailing from London, while talking up Mr Wragg as the ‘local choice’ for voters.
After losing Hazel Grove to the Tories, the Liberal Democrats were dealt another devastating blow when their former coalition partners ousted them from the Cheadle constituency.
Mr Hunter had held the seat since 2005, but was deposed by Conservative candidate Mrs Robinson, as the Tories claimed both key marginals in the Stockport area.
The margin of defeat would have been especially galling for Mr Hunter, who polled nearly 6,500 fewer votes than his successor. After being announced as the new MP for the constituency, Mrs Robinson said: “I want to say a huge thank you to the magnificent people of Cheadle who responded to my positive campaign and turned out in such great force.
“Thank you for putting your faith in me.”
Commenting on her successful campaign, she added: “I have campaigned for more than two years.
“It has been a positive campaign of action in the community, making sure I was getting out and talking to people to find out what matters to voters in this constituency.”
You can replay the dramatic night on our website