'I can't believe Labour have actually won here'

Gareth Russell and Alex Davies were both surprised that Labour was able to win the constituency

One of the biggest upsets for the Conservatives in the general election must have been the loss of the new Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket seat to Labour.

The former Bury St Edmunds constituency had been represented by a Conservative for more than a century, with the party holding a majority of nearly 25,000 in 2019.

Peter Prinsley claimed the new seat for Labour, with 16,745 votes, compared with his nearest rival and Conservative candidate, Will Tanner, who received 15,293 votes.

Residents in the cathedral town of Bury St Edmunds had mixed views on the result, with one calling it "a fantastic opportunity for the town" while another was "disgusted" with the outcome.

Jo Churchill won the former constituency for the Conservatives in 2019 with a majority of nearly 25,000 but stood down for the 2024 general election

Gareth Russell, 37, from Bury St Edmunds, was "absolutely delighted" with the news.

"I also can't quite believe they've actually won here," he said.

"It'll be good for actually getting things done like West Suffolk Hospital.

"The Tories spent a very long time promising it, but the money never came forth."

Mr Russell voted Labour as did Alex Davies, 41, another resident, who said: "It's a fantastic opportunity for the town.

"Bury's needed some change for some time and I'm in shock still."

'We've always been true blue Tories, let's hope it's good change,' said David Haynes

"It's fantastic news," said David Haynes, who lives in Elmswell, having grown up in Bury.

"We've always been true blue Tories, let's hope it's good change."

However, the former Labour voter supported the Greens this time and gave a lukewarm reaction to having Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader.

"Policy-wise [the Green Party] seemed much more like traditional Labour had been, but it's still great news, it's some change," the 33-year-old said.

Linda Farmer, from Lavenham, was "absolutely delighted" with the news, despite not living in the constituency, adding "Keir Starmer is OK, so I'm happy with that".

Bury St Edmunds "should always be Conservative" said Wesley Cushing

Life-long Conservative Wesley Cushing, 76, was "disgusted" with the result.

The town "should always be Conservative", the Bury St Edmunds resident said.

"There's always swings and roundabouts, always, on the whole they've done a good job.

"They've failed on a lot, but they've succeeded on a lot.

"I'm very sad that they've been thrown out."

Peter Davies cautioned it was less of a win for Labour and 'more of a kick in the teeth for the Conservatives'

But Peter Davies, 65, disagreed. He said the result was "not surprising really, considering everything that has gone on over the last five years".

The Bury resident "couldn't see myself voting for the Conservatives again, couldn't see myself voting for Labour".

"I voted Liberal Democrat for a change... give them a chance," he said.

"It was as much a kick in the teeth for the Conservatives after Covid and Boris [Johnson] and Partygate, and all the other shenanigans that have gone on, as it was a vote for Labour - but we'll have to see."

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