Senior Tory Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has lost his North East Somerset seat in the general election.
The former leader of the House of Commons lost to Labour’s candidate by around 5,000 votes. He was defending a majority of 14,729.
The seat, which has been subject to boundary changes this year and renamed to North East Somerset and Hanham, was won by Labour’s Dan Norris with 20,739 votes, with Rees-Mogg coming second securing 15,420 votes and Reform UK candidate Paul MacDonnell taking third place with 7,424 votes.
READ MORE: Reform UK beat Tories into third in early seats as Nigel Farage says ‘it is almost unbelievable’
After the results were announced, Rees-Mogg congratulated Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on âwhat seems to be a historic victoryâ and gave his “warmest congratulations” to the winner. He then thanked his agent, campaign director and constituency staff who had âworked so hard over the last 14 yearsâ.
He concluded his speech with: âAnd one final thought, from Caractacus Potts, and that is from the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success. So thank you very much everybody, and good night.â
New MP Norris said he had âgot Mogg-xit doneâ after defeating his Tory opponent. âItâs a great honour to serve the people of Keynsham, North East Somerset, Hanham and surrounding areas. This is my home. Iâm deeply proud of all our communities and want our part of the world to be the best it can be,” he said.
On the new prime minister, Norris said: âKeir Starmer changed the Labour Party and he will now change the country for the better. This is a victory for integrity: no more one more rule for them, another for everyone else. Itâs a victory for stability: never forget the economic chaos for which the British people are still paying the price. Now letâs get to work.â
Rees-Mogg, 55, first took the Somerset seat in 2010. The Eton and Oxford-educated politician won a majority of 4,914 votes and held onto the seat at three consecutive elections.
On Friday morning, Rees-Mogg arrived at the count at Bath University carrying a bag of sandwiches, which he said included âham and tongueâ. Dressed in a dark suit with a blue rosette pinned to his lapel and joined by his son Peter and wife Helena, he walked through to the count area at around 2.30am.
When asked how he felt ahead of the result, he said: âIâm feeling extremely well.â He then greeted photographers and camera crews, saying: âWhat a reception party, anyone would think thereâs an election on.â
Rees-Mogg joins a number of senior Tories who have lost their seats in a humiliating set of results for the party. As of 5am, eight Cabinet minister had lost seats.
Defence secretary Grant Shapps lost his seat as MP for Welwyn Hatfield to Labourâs Andrew Lewin, while House of Commons Leader, Penny Mordaunt, lost her Portsmouth North seat to Labourâs Amanda Martin.
EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel