As the Labour Party celebrates a resounding victory in the General Election, one of its biggest wins is here in Rushcliffe – which has been a Conservative stronghold since Kenneth Clarke won back the seat for the Tories in 1970.
A turnout of 73.22% yesterday (4th July 2024), saw queues forming outside Ruddington’s two polling stations at the Village Hall and St Peter’s Rooms. Ballot boxes from here and elsewhere in the constituency were rushed to Rushcliffe Arena, once the polling stations closed at 10pm, for the counting to get underway.
At shortly before 2.30am this morning, returning officer Nick Rubins revealed that Rushcliffe has a brand new MP. Ruddington’s representative in parliament will now be Labour’s James Naish – who decisively beat our former Conservative MP Ruth Edwards into second place by overturning her 2019 majority of more than 7,600 votes. Reform UK’s James Grice was third.
The full list of candidates and votes cast is below:
James Naish, Labour – 25,291 ELECTED
Ruth Edwards, Conservative – 17,865
James Grice, Reform UK – 6,353
Richard Mallender, Green – 4,367
Greg Webb, Liberal Democrat – 3,133
Lynn Irving, Independent – 549
Harbant Sehra, Independent – 186
You can read more details>>HERE<<.
James, who visited Ruddington a few times on the campaign trail, says: “A big thank you to the people of Rushcliffe – after five months of campaigning. It’s been a great experience. Thank you everyone who has helped – and challenged me – along the way. I will fight for every town and village in Rushcliffe!”
He’s highlighted his local priorities as boosting investment, both on and off the High Street, securing green energy skills and jobs, improving transport and infrastructure; including more rural buses, recruiting more doctors police and teachers, and giving local communities a stronger voice in planning decisions. He’s received support from Ruddington’s three elected Rushcliffe Borough Councillors Jen Walker, Mike Gaunt and Graham Fletcher, who also all represent the Labour Party.
James, who’s been serving most recently as the leader of Bassettlaw District Council, is one of hundreds of new Labour MPs who’ve helped secure a landslide victory for Keir Starmer’s party – as he becomes the UK’s next Prime Minister.
