Liberal Democrats hold Bath but with reduced majority

Wera Hobhouse has been re-elected as Bath’s Liberal Democrat MP but with a substantially reduced majority.

19,883 people in Somerset’s largest city voted for Ms Hobouse. It is clear victory — but almost a third less than the 28,419 she received in 2019.

In her acceptance speech, she thanked fellow candidates, members of her team, and her “long suffering husband,” adding: “Particularly and especially thanks to the voters in Bath who for the third time have put their trust in me.

READ MORE: Somerset General Election results in FULL

“Ed Davey and the Liberal Democrats have run an amazing campaign across the country. Today is a day to celebrate but next week in Parliament the serious work will start to really make sure that our NHS and public services are coming back from the brink, that we make sure that those who are struggling in Bath with the cost of living, and last but not least that we turbo-charge our energy to get to net zero.”

Meanwhile Labour narrowly overtook the Conservatives to come in second place in the constituency, with Labour’s Dan Bewley netting 8,665 votes to the Conservative James Wright’s 7,659. Although Labour had no comment, one party staffer mentioned they were “chuffed” with the result.

Bath has always swung between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives and Labour has not come second in the city since 1970. Voters had been spoiled for choice in Bath where nine candidates were on the ballot paper.

As the results were being counted, Mr Wright said: “It’s been a great experience. But not a very good night nationally for the Conservatives but we’ve fought a good campaign here on the issues residents care about and that’s what’s important.”

Independent Colin Blackburn came in sixth with 1,749 votes. But, speaking as the votes were being counted, he said: “I think I’ve already achieved what I was hoping for”

He said he thought his campaign focussing on local issues had led Ms Hobhouse to do the same. Mr Blackburn has been an Independent councillor for Westmoreland on Bath and North East Somerset Council since 2015 and stood for Parliament because people were feeling “politically homeless.”

A.N.ON., who received 25 votes, unfurled a Palestinian flag on stage as the results were read out at the count.

The results in full are:

• Wera Hobhouse (Liberal Democrat) 19,883

• Dan Bewley (Labour) 8,665

• James Wright (Conservative) 7,659

• Dom Tristram (Green) 5,952

• Teresa Hall (Reform) 3,798

• Colin Blackburn (Independent) 1,749

• Matthew Alford (Workers Party) 230

• Bill Blockhead (Independent) 169

• A.N.ON 25