Mixed results for Bradford's MPs (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Tories and Lib-Dems gain seats at Labour's expense

7:42am Friday 7th May 2010 in News

Mixed results for Bradford's MPs

It was business as usual for some of the Bradford district’s veteran MPs following last night’s momentous election, but a new start for two con-stituencies.

As the country was in some political disarray with no single party gaining overall control, Bradford’s sitting and new MPs were this morning preparing for the brave new world of a hung parliament.

Sitting Labour MPs Marsha Singh and Gerry Sutcliffe both retained their seats in Bradford West and Bradford South respectively, Marsha Singh with an increased majority, while Conservative Philip Davies stormed back to success in Shipley.

But it was all change in Keighley as the formerly safe Labour seat vacated by Ann Cryer, who stepped down at the election, was taken by Conservative candidate Kris Hopkins - the leader of Bradford Council.

And in the new seat Bradford East, formed via boundary changes from the former Bradford North constituency, Liberal Democrat David Ward narrowly took the votes from Labour’s Terry Rooney.

The Bradford East result as one of the last ones to come in na-tionally, and the latest one from the Bradford district, and came after a recount.

David Ward's majority was just 365. Mr Ward thanked voters for not backing “racist parties”.

A jubilant Marsha Singh at Bradford West said: “It's a phenomenal result and it's down to building a coalition of communities in Bradford willing to work together and it shows that Bradford isn't divided.

"I think Bradford West is now probably safe for ever. It's a clear message from the voters that we do not want a Tory MP here.”

The Keighley result casts a question mark over the leadership of Bradford Council as the current top man, Kris Hopkins, will stand down now that he has taken the Keighley seat for the Tories.

He polled more than 20,000 votes, with Jane Thomas, the Labour candidate, trailing by 3,000.

In accepting the victory, Kris Hopkins said: "I will represent everybody. This Government has done a huge amount of damage to this country and the work starts now to put that right."

At Shipley, Philip Davies said: “If there were more independent minded politicians like me who spoke their minds, people would be more respectful of politicians. I will continue to do that."

Mr Davies said he was humbled that so many people had voted for him and that he wouldn't let them down and act just as vigorously for those that did not vote for him.

At Bradford South, Gerry Sutcliffe said: “Clearly I'm delighted to be elected for a fifth time.

"It's great to have that level of support from people who have worked with me and we look forward to representing Bradford in the years to come.”