The new Labour MP for Tamworth has called on Rishi Sunak to “do the decent thing and call a general election” following her victory.
Sarah Edwards overturned a Conservative majority of more than 19,600 to secure the first Labour victory in the Staffordshire constituency since 2005.
She replaces the disgraced former MP Chris Pincher, who stood down after being found to have drunkenly groped two men last year.
Her Conservative opponent, Andrew Cooper, was ushered out of a side door of Rawlett School in Tamworth seconds after his defeat was confirmed, with Tory staff blocking the exit as he did so, something Ms Edwards described as “disappointing”.
In her speech after her victory was confirmed, Ms Edwards said: “The people of Tamworth have voted for Labour’s positive vision and a fresh start.
“They’ve sent a clear message to Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives that they have had enough of this failed Government, which has crashed the economy and destroyed our public services.
“The people of Tamworth have made it clear, it’s time for change.”
Labour’s victory in Tamworth represented a 23.9 per cent vote swing, the party’s third swing this year that was higher than 20 per cent, after Rutherglen and Selby.
The result also marks the second highest ever swing to Labour, which Ms Edwards described as “quite astonishing”.
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