Sajid Javid comfortably holds onto Bromsgrove seat amidst mixed national results - The Bromsgrove Standard

Sajid Javid comfortably holds onto Bromsgrove seat amidst mixed national results

Bromsgrove Editorial 9th Jun, 2017 Updated: 9th Jun, 2017   0

BROMSGROVE MP Sajid Javid held onto his seat at the general election count, being returned with a majority of 17,583.

He polled 33,493 overall with Labour’s Michael Thompson finishing second with 16,920.

Liberal Democrat Neil Lewis was third with 2,488 and Green candidate Spoz polled 1,139.

In his victory speech he said: “Despite the excitement of this evening for so many of us I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say our thoughts are still very fresh for the terrorist atrocities which took place in Manchester and London in the last few weeks.




“Those terrorists try to destroy our way of life and disrupt our democratic process and they’ve failed.”

He then thanked everyone who had organised the election, including the police, the returning officer, the clerks, those who counted the votes and his opponents.


“Whilst we may not agree on a lot of things, they have been honest and decent on their approach and I was lucky to have them as my opponents.

“I would also like to thank the people of Bromsgrove for once again putting their trust in me and the Conservative Party again and giving me the opportunity to serve them for the next five years.”

He then pledged to do his best for the people of Bromsgrove and the country.

Afterwards he told The Standard he wanted to continue being a community MP.

“I will help everyone with their issues, regardless of how they voted.”

And he added he would once again hold in the town the jobs fairs, the debating competitions, the pensioners’ fairs that had been so successful.

Dr Thompson, when he took to the stage, said he acknowledged Mr Javid’s result and congratulated him.

But he added: “Sajid has pledged in his leaflets that he would secure year on year increases in the NHS and improve local infrastructure but I don’t think he will and I will hold him to and the Government to these pledges.”

He also vowed to continue working for Bromsgrove residents in his role as local councillor.

Afterwards he told The Standard he was encouraged by the response and the reaction to the Labour Party locally.

Labour had increased its vote by 9.1 per cent with the Conservatives rise being by 8.1 per cent – that is attributed to splitting those who voted UKIP last time around.

Dr Thompson said there had also been a bigger increase in Labour members in Bromsgrove, giving the party a good platform to build on.

He said they would now try to get to the outlying areas, such as Alvechurch, Hagley and Wythall.

After the result Liberal Democrat Mr Lewis urged whoever became Prime Minister to consider bringing in a form of proportional representation so every vote counted.

“The Liberal Democrats wanted to provide a credible alternative to the other parties and we did that.

“We are pro-European, pro-people and pro-sensible solutions.”

Whoever is Prime Minister needs to ensure they unite the country and let everyone be heard.

Reflecting on the national picture he said there had been a lot of tactical voting.

“Theresa May tried to make this the Brexit election but it wasn’t, it was the tactical voting election.

“People need to feel their life is being heard and we need to put policies before politics.

“That is why the turnout was so high in the EU Referendum because people weren’t apathetic, they felt their voice would be heard.”

Green candidate Spoz said he was overwhelmed with the national picture but disappointed Bromsgrove had not followed suit.

“Around the country the trend has been for people to vote more considerably to improve day-to-day life for all.

“If you want ‘consideration’, don’t vote Conservative,” he added.

The turn-out in Bromsgrove was up to 73.73 per cent with 54,246 people voting. There were 206 spoiled ballot papers.

Nationally Labour did much better than expected and with 30  seats left to declare, a hung Parliament was confirmed.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn increased his majority, winning his seat by more than 40,000 votes. In his victory speech he called for the Prime Minister to resign.

Theresa May, who held onto her Maidenhead seat by 26,457 votes, said going into the Brexit talks it was more important than ever for the country to have a period of stability.

For the Liberal Democrats, former party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg lost his seat, while former ministers Vince Cable and Jo Swinson both won back the seats they lost in 2015.

Advertising

Advertise with the Bromsgrove Standard to reach your audience

Business Directory

From plumbers, to restaurants, we can provide you with all the info you need

Recruitment

Find a career you'll love with our free career finder website

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter