Labour strengthen Stockton North majority, but Reform beats Tories into third place

Labour have held Stockton North and strengthened their majority, while the Conservatives were beaten into third place by Reform UK.

Chris McDonald takes over from departing Labour MP Alex Cunningham as he won a majority of almost 8,000. This restores a larger Labour majority to the seat after it was cut to just over 1,000 in 2019.

Reform UK beat the Conservatives into third place by 1,161 votes in a constituency with a 53.4% turnout. Their candidate John McDermottroe said he expected the gains, while Mr Innes said the Tories needed to get back to "proper Conservative values" after the electorate decided to "give us a kicking".

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Mr McDonald said after the win was announced at Thornaby Pavilion on Friday morning: "It is an honour and a privilege to stand here as the Member of Parliament for Stockton North. I'm acutely aware of the trust and confidence placed in me by local residents, many of whom will have voted Labour for the first time at this election.

"You have my word that I will be a true representative for everyone in Stockton North - those who voted for me, those who did not, and those like the 7,000 children living in poverty across this constituency who are too young to vote. This is a vote for change in Britain and a vote for a Labour Party dedicated to the service of working people. Our priorities are your priorities.

"We will fight to renew the NHS, create safer streets, deliver better opportunities for children, bring down bills and secure our borders, all of this founded on a bedrock of economic security."

He thanked members, volunteers, officers and his family, paid tribute to outgoing MP Alex Cunningham for "40 years of dedication and service to the people of this borough", adding: "I pledge my service to the people of Stockton North across Stockton, Billingham, Norton and beyond.

"I will work tirelessly in Westminster to be your voice and to improve the quality of life and the life opportunities of the people here in Stockton. And I ask, when the time comes, that you judge me on those words - this is my covenant with you."

He added later he was delighted with the results and excited to get to work: "I'm just raring to go. There have been three top issues that have been coming out time and again in Stockton North and that's crime, the cost of living and jobs, and the NHS as well.

"We're seeing a lot of seats that we lost in 2019 coming back to Labour too. We'll have Labour in power and a strong team of local Labour candidates as well. That can only be good for our region."

He said he had already worked well in business with Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen: "I've committed to continuing to work with him as well because, despite political differences, we all want the best for Teesside. I'm very confident we'll be able to work together to achieve good things for Teesside."

Mr McDermottroe, for Reform UK, said: "I expected to come second. I thought we would beat the Conservatives.

"Overall from a standing start, it has to be a good start for us ready for 2029. Obviously a lot of people are unhappy with the Conservatives at the moment.

"A lot of people didn't like Keir Starmer and didn't want to vote Labour. I took votes from both Conservatives and Labour. We're going to build towards the big election in 2029 again where I'm sure we'll turn those second places into first places."

Mr Innes said: "There was no love for Labour on the doorsteps. Naturally people have wished to give us, the Conservatives, a kicking.

"John was a very worthy opponent to take second place. We naturally go forward now, rebuild and bring back proper Conservative values the people need and want.

"We will be back to fight another day in Stockton North. I think people whose natural home would be the Conservative Party have decided to show us they're not happy with the way we've been doing things of late, to give us a rightful kick up the backside. It's a wake-up call for us, I think.

"Naturally I'm very disappointed. I didn't quite get the result I'd hoped for, however I wish Chris the very best of luck. There is a new voice in Stockton and I very much hope that the people get that voice of positivity and change."

Full results:

Jo Barton (Liberal Democrats) - 1,133

Samuel Bradford (Green Party) - 1,923

Niall Innes (Conservative Party) - 8,028

John McDermottroe (Reform UK) - 9,189

Chris McDonald (Labour Party) - 17,128 - ELECTED

Turnout - 53.4%

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