Labour wins in Norfolk constituency for first time in 79 years

A Norfolk constituency has been won by Labour for the first time in nearly 80 years.

Ben Goldsborough is the new MP for South Norfolk and has taken the seat from the Tories with a comfortable majority of nearly 3,000.

The Conservative's Richard Bacon had represented the constituency since 2001 but announced he would be stepping down at this election.

He held the seat at the last election with a majority of more than 21,000 and 58pc of the vote.

However, he faced criticism over the last few years, with voters accusing him of adopting a low profile and going "missing".

Ben Goldsborough celebrates his victory (Image: Eleanor Storey)

Originally from Suffolk, Mr Goldsborough recently finished a spell as mayor of the town of Flint, in north Wales, where he was a member of the town council.

He said: "The people of South Norfolk wanted a change and I'm going to work doubly hard to deliver that.

"It's not a case of bragging - but you wait a lifetime for a result like this."

Mr Goldsborough said he would be relocating to South Norfolk with his keeshond Timo - but has not yet decided where.

He has also pledged to leave his job as a communications officer for consultancy firm Cathod Du to dedicate himself to parliamentary work full-time.

Mr Goldsborough is the first Labour MP to win the constituency in exactly 79 years - since Christopher Mayhew's victory on July 5, 1945.

He said his priorities in South Norfolk will be to improve services for disabled people and those with special educational needs.

Labour have won the General Election and are heading to a landslide victory.

Poppy Simister-Thomas, the Conservative candidate, declined to comment on the results, having received 14,527 votes.

FULL RESULTS
Ben Goldsborough (L) 17,353
Poppy Simister-Thomas (C) 14,527
Chris Brown (LD) 5,746
Catherine Rowett (G) 3,987
Chris Harrison (Ref) 7,583
Jason Maguire (SDP) 129
Paco Davila (Ind) 254

Turnout: 49,732 (67.2pc)