Yahoo News First Labour MP in Rushcliffe for 57 years says 'people have made it very clear'
James Naish says he is “not surprised” after winning the seat of Rushcliffe in the general election, becoming the first Labour MP to do so since 1966. The constituency was formerly held by Conservative Kenneth Clarke from 1970 until 2019, once being seen as one of the safest seats in the country.
More recently, Ruth Edwards was elected in 2019 with a majority of 12.6 per cent. However, this election saw a swing of 12.9 per cent to Labour’s Mr Naish, who currently sits as the leader of Bassetlaw District Council.
Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, the newly-elected MP said: “We’ve been going out on the doorstep and people have made it very clear that they are ready for change. Of course, Ken Clarke was a huge personality in this area so he undoubtedly held onto this seat as a local MP and I think the tide has gone against Ruth on this occasion, but now we need to move forward.”
Mr Naish, who said he would step down as leader of Bassetlaw council, put Labour’s win in Rushcliffe down to a number of factors, including "demographic changes". In his speech at Rushcliffe Arena in West Bridgford, he praised his predecessor and thanked the former MP for “all her hard work over the past four-and-a-half years,” and said he has “no doubt” that she “will continue to serve this community".
Mrs Edwards, in her closing remarks, was equally graceful to her successor. “You have fought a hard campaign and you’ve done well,” she said, addressing Mr Naish directly.
“I really hope you enjoy this as much as I have and I wish you and everyone in Rushcliffe the very best,” she added before leaving the stage. As the count wrapped up in the early hours of Friday morning, the two seemed to share a laugh before Mrs Edwards left the arena with her handbag-carrying husband.
Mr Naish, meanwhile, basked in his glory as he joined Labour party activists in the centre’s lobby. He jubilantly told them “the work starts now".
Below are the full results for each candidate:
Ruth Edwards (Conservative) 17,865
James Grice (Reform) 6,353
Lynn Irving (Independent) 549
Richard Mallender (Green) 4,367
James Naish (Labour) 25,291
Harbant Sehra (Independent) 186
Greg Webb (Liberal Democrats) 3,133
