Ruth Edwards 'devastated’ as Conservatives lose Rushcliffe after 54 years

Joel Moore & George Palmer-Soady
·2-min read
Ruth Edwards after the results were announced
-Credit: (Image: Nottingham Post/ George Palmer-Soady)


Ruth Edwards says she is “devastated” after losing her seat to Labour in the General Election, ending the Conservatives’ 54-year stranglehold on the seat. James Naish became the first non-Tory MP in the constituency since 1970 after achieving 25,291 votes, 7,426 more than his incumbent.

Rushcliffe, known for its numerous rural villages, has long been a stronghold for the Conservatives, with Tory grandee Ken Clarke sitting as its MP for 49 years. However, in the midst of a national Labour wipe-out, its dominance was broken.

Mrs Edwards blamed the defeat on the "division" of her party at a national level. “It’s devastating to lose a seat that you’ve poured your heart and soul into for the past four years but that is politics. It’s a brutal game," she said after the results were announced at Rushcliffe Arena in West Bridgford.

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“I think the overriding factor here has been the division of the party at a national level. Of course people want a united party to run the country and I don’t think we presented with them for the past few years, and I think that has been the biggest factor."

Mrs Edwards said she and her colleagues "fought like lions" to retain the seat in her post-defeat speech, in which she also paid tribute to her successor. “I respect James and all the candidates who stood," she added.

"I like James very much as a person, we disagree politically, but I don’t see why that doesn’t mean you can’t like people personally and you can’t have a respectful debate and I think we need more of that in our politics.” When asked what she would be doing next, she replied: “I don’t think it’s ever a great idea to make life changing decisions after you lose your job on national TV.”

Mrs Edwards makes a speech after her defeat was confirmed
Mrs Edwards makes a speech after her defeat was confirmed -Credit:Nottingham Post/ Joel Moore

Speaking earlier during the count, Mrs Edwards described it as a "devastating night" for the Conservative Party. "Politics is a team sport at a national and local level and we have paid the price for division at a national level."

Mr Naish was announced as the new MP just before 2.30am. Voter turnout in the area was 73.22 percent a decrease compared to 2019, which was 78.85 per cent.

Below are the full results for each candidate:

Ruth Edwards (Conservative) 17,865

James Grice (Reform) 6,353

Lynn Irving (Independent) 549

Richard Mallender (Green) 4,367

James Naish (Labour) 25,291

Harbant Sehra (Independent) 186

Greg Webb (Liberal Democrats) 3,133

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