LABOUR MAKES HISTORIC GAINS IN SUFFOLK

Former deputy prime minister Therese Coffey lost her seat as Labour made a series of gains in Suffolk.

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter overturned a 20,000 Conservative majority in Suffolk Coastal, leaving Labour supporters jubilant.

In Ipswich, Jack Abbott ousted Tory Tom Hunt, while Jess Asato secured the Lowestoft seat with a margin of about 2,000 votes.

Peter Prinsley also won the Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket seat for Labour.

Ben Parker, BBC political reporter for Suffolk, said the Labour victory in Suffolk Coastal was a major shock on an "excellent night" for the party.

"They probably didn't expect to win this seat," he said.

"It's been Tory since 1983, when it was created. Therese Coffey has been the MP in Suffolk Coastal since 2010."

She declined to be interviewed after the result was announced.

Elsewhere, James Cartlidge, who was a defence minister, retained his South Suffolk seat by about 3,000 votes.

Nick Timothy won West Suffolk for the Conservatives but saw their majority fall to 3,247.

Reflecting on his victory in Ipswich, Mr Abbott said he would work work to bring the town "together" and build a "new future".

Mr Hunt, who won the seat in 2019, said: "This is an incredibly difficult result for the Conservative Party."

Ms Riddell-Carpenter who won 15,672 votes in Suffolk Coastal, with Ms Coffey on 14,602.

New Lowestoft MP Ms Asato said: “I am feeling exhilarated and ready to start the task of being the MP for Lowestoft on day one."

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2024-07-05T04:51:54Z dg43tfdfdgfd