Phil Brickell and Chris Green’s speeches in full after result

After six weeks of campaigning, the fate of (now former) Bolton West MP Chris Green has been decided: he’s out, and Labour is in.

Following the announcement of the results – which saw Labour’s Phil Brickell achieve more than 17,000 votes compared to second-place Green’s 12,418, both candidates made speeches to the University of Bolton Arena.

Here are the speeches in full.

Phil Brickell’s victory speech in full

“I want to thank the returning officer, everyone counting tonight, and the police for ensuring a secure and a prompt count.

“And thank you to my fellow candidates and my predecessor, Chris Green.

“I'd also like to thank everyone who has helped me get elected as the Member of Parliament for Bolton West.

“A special thanks to my hard working agent, Hamid Khurram, to the Labour Party staff, and to my wife, Emma.

“And to the whole team who helped me get so far. And of course, to my parents – I couldn't have done this without you.

“I was born in this borough. I grew up here. My family dedicated their working lives to the NHS in Bolton, and I am proud to have had my first job working at Bolton Hospital.

“And for more than a decade, I've dedicated my career to fighting bribery, corruption, and tax evasion.

“That's what motivated me to stand to be your Member of Parliament. A sense of public service.

“A desire to put the people across this constituency first. A want for change. I'm proud to have run a positive campaign since the day I was selected as a Labour candidate here in the Bolton West constituency on the first of July last year.

“And over the last six weeks, my team and I have spoken to thousands of voters in all parts of the constituency, from Blackrod to Barrow Bridge, Horwich to Hulton.

“Time and time again, people have told me how our communities face immense challenges.

“Whether it's the cost of living crisis, struggling to access our NHS, rising crime and anti-social behaviour, or sewage in our rivers.

“So, it's no surprise to hear many residents simply feel let down by government and have lost faith in the ability for politics to solve their concerns.

“I know that a Labour government will deliver on the promises made during this election campaign.

“Rebuilding trust one step at a time – with a laser-like focus on the priorities of working people.

“And after 14 years, it's time to turn the corner on this Conservative government.

“Keir Starmer has changed the Labour Party and we now stand ready to change the country.

“The people of Bolton West have spoken, and this is a change election, and I know that many people across our towns will have voted Labour for the first time.

“Whether you voted for me or not, I will get on with the job you've sent me to Westminster to do. I'll be a strong voice for you: standing up for jobs, investment and opportunities across our towns and making sure your voice is heard in Parliament.

“Serving as your MP will be the greatest honour and privilege of my life.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you.”

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Chris Green’s concession speech in full

“Good morning. It's been a phenomenal campaign.

“I'd like to thank everyone right across the Bolton West constituency who voted for me this election.

Chris Green made a speech following the result (Image: Phil Taylor)

“And all of those who voted for me and supported me since I was first elected in 2015.

“I'd like to thank my team, who’ve worked so incredibly hard for all of these years, I’d like to thank the Association members and so many people who supported me on the campaign trail.

“I'd like to thank our acting Returning Officer for her work and the leadership she and so many have shown during this campaign to make sure again, in Bolton, we have a superbly run operation in terms of the election and to get the results at a reasonably early time in comparison to some years.

“This is going to be a really tough time, I think, for the new Labour government.

“There are huge challenges, there are huge promises the Labour government has made, and they have to live up to every one of these promises that they've made.

“And we have the next…[jeering from audience] and we have the next four or five years, because the Labour Party have a huge commanding majority, as it seems.

“And I look forward to following our newly elected MP, Phillip Brickell, in what he's doing, and I wish him all the best in the future.”

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.