Harlow's new MP promises 'an absolute determination to serve'

The new MP for Harlow says he has an “absolute determination to serve the residents of Harlow." Chris Vince, won the seat with 16,313 votes and a majority of 2,504 - making him the first Labour MP for Harlow for almost 20 years.

His vote amounted to 37.5 per cent of the total. Hannah Ellis, for the Tories, polled 13,809 results, and Riad Mannan for the Lib Dems polled 1,350. Malcolm Featherstone for Reform UK took 9,461 votes. The Green Party’s Yasmin Gregory got 2,267.

Mr Vince, who was the former Labour group leader on Harlow Council said a combination of clear national messaging and hard local campaigning was the key to the success. He said: “There is the national messaging and Keir was very clear about what his first steps were and what his five missions were for power and had a real plan to ensure we get Britain back to where we want to be.

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“But locally it was a really hard-fought campaign. It was local labour activists showing that we are going to be around for residents all year round and not just at election time.”

The result comes after weeks of speculation that Labour were set for a big win nationally. The last time Harlow voted for Labour was in 2005 when Bill Rammell held the seat against a challenge from Robert Halfon - who would become MP in 2010 and stayed MP until his retirement in 2024.

Mr Vince said his work as an MP would be characterised by hard work and integrity. He said: "Hopefully it is going to be my hard work and integrity and my absolute determination to serve the residents of Harlow.

“I have always been someone who believes in service - I worked as a teacher and now work in the charity sector. And now I’m an MP - and for me that is a real natural progression."

The result comes just months after he stood down as Labour group leader after failing to win a majority on the council. Despite heavy expectations of a Labour breakthrough on the council the Conservatives managed to hold on, winning 17 out of 33 seats up for election earlier in May.

Mr Vince added: “What I can offer is someone who works incredibly hard and puts the people of Harlow first.”