County united as Red Wall seats return to Labour
Labour's Marie Tidball celebrates her victory as defeated Penistone and Stocksbridge candidate Miriam Cates looks on
- Published
Labour reversed their losses in the so-called Red Wall and and took a stranglehold of South Yorkshire as the party won every seat in the county.
Rother Valley, which was won by Alexander Stafford in 2019, turned red as did Penistone and Stocksbridge, plus Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme.
In Sheffield, Labour increased their majority in the marginal Hallam seat and saw off a challenge from Reform in Barnsley.
Marie Tidball, who won Penistone from Tory Miriam Cates, said: "Our community gave me so such, it will be a great privilege to use my skills and experience to give back to the place that made me."
Jake Richards won with an increase of 5.9% on Labour's share of the vote in Rother Valley
Ms Tidball picked up 19,169 votes, giving her a majority of just under 9,000 over Ms Cates, who saw her share of the vote fall by a quarter.
She thanked the NHS in her victory speech and said being elected to the seat she grew up in was "the honour of my life".
In Rother Valley, Labour's Jake Richards narrowly eclipsed Tory Mr Stafford to record a majority of just 998.
Mr Richards recorded 38.5% of the vote, which translated into 16,023 votes. Mr Stafford recorded 36.1% of votes cast which meant 15,025 ballots for him.
Labour has returned to power after winning the general election
The winner paid tribute to Mr Stafford, saying although they "may disagree on a lot, I never doubt that he worked incredibly hard".
Voters in what was previously Don Valley, now renamed and reshaped as Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, dispensed with Tory Nick Fletcher.
The outspoken Mr Fletcher, who during his tenure had said a female Dr Who robbed boys of a role model, came second with 12,811 votes - a decrease in share of nearly 20%.
Winner Lee Pitcher polled 15,122 or 38.6% of votes cast.
Following the announcement, Mr Fletcher, who had been the first Tory MP in Doncaster, warned residents to “be careful” of what he saw as a future of socialism across the country.
A happy Lee Pitcher after winning Doncaster East
In Barnsley, Labour saw off what was expected to be a stiff challenge from Reform.
Polling had suggested a close race in Barnsley North and Barnsley South, but in the end it was comfortable for Labour.
Dan Jarvis, who had been MP for Barnsley Central before it became Barnsley North scooped a majority of 7,811 by attracting 18,610 votes to Reform's 10,799.
Posting on X, the former South Yorkshire mayor, said: "Reports of my demise had been greatly exaggerated..."
Stephanie Peacock said voters in her constituency had prioritised "hope over division"
In Barnsley South, Stephanie Peacock recorded more than 46% of the vote to poll 16,399.
Reform's David White came second with 11,651.
Ms Peacock said her party's win was a "reflection of 14 years of a chaotic Conservative government".
In Sheffield Hallam, Labour's Olivia Blake secured 23,875 votes compared to challenger and city Lib Dem leader Shaffaq Mohammed's 15,686.
This gave her a majority of 8,189 - up from 712 in 2019.
Olivia Blake substantially increased her majority
She said her win celebrated the end of “14 years of Conservative vandalism”.
Labour cantered to victory with solid majorities across the rest of the city.
In Rotherham, Sarah Champion was re-elected with a majority of about 5,500 votes over second-place Reform.
A jubilant Ed Miliband celebrates victory
in Doncaster North, former Labour leader Ed Miliband, who accrued 16,231 votes against the Conservative candidate in second on 7,105, said he was delighted with the picture locally and nationally.
He said Labour had received an "historic mandate".
Mr Miliband said people on the doorstep had expressed fear whether any party could "turn the country around".
He said Labour's job was now to "show people that they can deliver".
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- Published5 July
