2 DECEMBER 2022 | NEWS
Chester remains under Labour control after the party defeated the Conservatives by almost 11,000 votes in today’s by-election.
Samantha Dixon, a local councillor, has become the new MP for the Cheshire constituency, after Christian Matheson resigned in late October over two allegations of “serious sexual misconduct”.
In a swing of 13.8% from the Conservatives to Labour, the Opposition claimed 61% of votes from a turnout of 17,309. The constituency has been held by Labour since 2015.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his party had offered “a positive plan for the future” compared to the present Government, which he said was “worn out [and] tired”.
“I think [the result] is a clear message to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that people are fed up and they want a change.
“There is this strong sense now that the Government has run out of road, run out of ideas and hasn’t got a mandate,” he added.
On Twitter, Sir Keir announced: “It’s time for a Labour Government.”
The Leader of the Opposition’s comments come as his Deputy, Angela Rayner, said it was Mr Sunak’s “first test as Prime Minister”.
Ms Dixon said it was an “oustanding mandate” and that the Conservatives were “on borrowed time and people want to change”.
“People in Chester and across our country are really worried. Worried about losing their homes because they can’t afford the mortgage repayments or the rent, worried about whether they can put the heating on, worried about whether they can put food on the table for their families.
“This is the cost of 12 years of Conservative government. The Government, which has wreaked havoc with our economy, destroyed our public services and betrayed the people who put their trust in them at the last General Election.”
Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan said that the result was “pretty much expected” and argued that the Conservative Party was “focused on delivering for the British public”.
Following two allegations of sexual misconduct, the previous MP for Chester, Christian Matheson, resigned after the independent panel on MPs’ conduct upheld the accusations and recommended he be suspended from the House of Commons for four weeks.
