Andy Burnham calls for 'profound change'
Andy Burnham has been re-elected for a third term as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
In his acceptance speech, he spoke of the need for “profound changes” at the national level.
He said: “Westminster's one-size-fits-all policy approach has not worked.” “If you have an education system that is too focused on university, you will allow some young people to grow up without hope.
“If you have a benefits system that focuses too much on sanctions rather than support, you will end up with a growing mental health crisis. And if housing policy focuses solely on promoting homeownership, you leave millions of people in a housing crisis.
“Greater Manchester is ready to break out of this. Devolution in England is working and this election shows that voters believe in it and that it is time to go much further.”
West Yorkshire re-elected Labor mayor
Tracy Brabin has been re-elected as Mayor of West Yorkshire.
She was returned with 275,430 votes, while Tory challenger Arnold Craven came second with 82,757 votes.
Ms. Brabin was first elected in 2021.
Conservatives react to Blackpool South's defeat
A Conservative party spokesman said: “This was an uphill battle and David Jones was an excellent candidate who campaigned hard for every vote.
“This was always going to be a difficult election given the specific circumstances surrounding the previous incumbent president.
“What is clear is that a vote for reform is a vote for Sir Keir Starmer – which takes us right back to square one.”
Hall gets the first win
Conservative London mayoral candidate Susan Hall has won her first constituency after seven areas declared themselves.
She won the Bexley and Bromley constituency with 54.5 percent of the vote, down 0.1 percentage points on the Conservatives' 2021 vote share.
Sadiq Khan came in second with 24 percent of the vote, an increase of 0.1 percentage points from 2021.
Khan wins in West Central
Sadiq Khan won West Central, where 2021 Tory hopeful Shaun Bailey came first.
Khan received 54,481 votes, compared to Tory challenger Susan Hall's 43,405.
Conservative MP hails 'biggest comeback since Lazarus' in Harlow
The Conservatives have denied Labor a majority in Harlow, a feat described by the local Tory MP as the “biggest comeback since Lazarus”.
Robert Halfon wrote about X: 'The greatest comeback since Lazarus.
“Labour predicted a landslide in Harlow with two visits from Starmer – but Harlow Compassionate Conservatives retained control
“@HarlowCouncil by relentlessly focusing on council tax freezes, regeneration and housing.”