The Labour vote in Somerset virtually doubled yesterday as young voters surged towards Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, Brexiteers who voted UKIP in 2015 turned to Labour and the Lib Dems faded.
Labour’s total for the county was up 90 per cent – from 27,188 in 2015 to 51,897 this time. The biggest triumph was in Bridgwater and West Somerset, where Labour’s Wes Hinckes won 16,663 votes, pushing the Lib Dems into a distant third place. That was a 74 per cent increase in the Labour vote – up from 9,589 in 2015.
Labour up across the county
And across the county there were similar stories. In Somerton and Frome, the Labour vote was up 148 per cent, from 4,419 to 10,998. And there were big increases, too, in Taunton Deane, where we won 9,689 votes (up 81 per cent) Wells with 7,129 votes (up 88 per cent) and Yeovil – 7,418 (up 83 per cent).
Labour growth around South West
Elsewhere in the South West, there was a clean sweep for Labour in Bristol, we held Exeter and gained Plymouth Sutton and Devonport (that’s one place, not three, unfortunately)
So on a great night for Labour across the country, a base for future success here in Somerset. And we may get the chance soon enough. If this turns out to a re-run of 1974 (and it feels a bit like it) we can do it all again in October.
Results in Somerset
Fantastic result. The tide is turning!
We had the same great night in Weston-super-Mare…almost doubled are vote to our best since 1945, and cut John Penrose’s Majority. We are now the real opposition in the Constituency. Aiming to win next time :)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14001038
Dave Townsend
Acting Chair, Weston-super-Mare CLP