Makerfield general election 2024 results in full

The man who walked out of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership team has landed one of Labour’s safest seats - Makerfield. Josh Simons, 30, is the heavy-weight academic who has taken the mantle left by Yvonne Fovarque who opted not to stand for re-election to the seat which covers a large part of the Wigan borough.

However, similar to the neighbouring Wigan constituency, Mr Simons closest rival was a Reform UK candidate. Robert Kenyon polled 12803, only 5,399 behind Mr Simons with 18,202.

Mr Kenyon said: “To be where we’ve come from to where we are now is an enormous achievement. Although Labour have won, I don’t they have done as well as they could have.”

READ MORE: LIVE - General election 2024 results and updates across Greater Manchester and UK

Meanwhile, Cambridge politics first graduate Mr Simons - regarded by political pundits as one of Sir Keir’s ‘Starmtroopers’ - could be destined for high office in the administration after securing a seat which has been labour since 1906.

It wasn’t an easy campaign for the father-of-two with ‘false’ rumours circulating on social media that he was from Kent. In fact, his father is from Prestwich and Whitefield and he and his family made their home in Rawtenstall and Ramsbottom after a period studying at Harvard in the US.

In the end, it was a night of celebration for Mr Simons, who after the cheering from Labour activists had died down, said: “To all the councillors and activists I have met over the last few weeks, I say I cannot wait to work with you.

“Tonight, a small crack of light has begun to appear in a long dark night - hope. By morning when dawn breaks the United Kingdom will once again have what we deserve - a government that takes governing seriously.

“Keir Starmer changed the Labour Party. The British people have voted for change. Now, supported by me and my colleagues, Keir Starmer can change Britain. The responsibility each of us carries is immense.”

He told how yesterday he had met a woman with a Reform UK poster outside her house. She had voted Labour her whole life, he said.

“She was fed up with both political parties and false dawns,” he continued. “She did not feel anyone had her interests at heart. I told her who I was. We talked about politics, national and local. Before I left she said it meant the world for her to know that someone cares.

“Together we showed her something simple. We, the Labour Party, have her in our heart. But her vote has only been lent to us. It will stay with us only if she stays with us. So that is what I intend to do.

“I will ensure the Labour government delivers for delivers for her and for working people and for Makerfield.”