Chatham and Aylesford general election 2024 results in full
19:00, 04 July 2024
updated: 08:19, 05 July 2024
Labour have gained another seat in the Medway Towns as they take Chatham and Aylesford.
Tris Osbourne is the new MP, polling 13,689 votes, ahead of the Conservatives' Nathan Gamester on 11,691.
Thomas Mallon of Reform UK was third on 9,989. Full results below.
Following the result, Tristan Osborne said: “I had two outstanding predecessors.
“Tracey Crouch was very well respected in the community, delivered significant successes for the local community, as did Jonathan Shaw, the Labour MP that represented the area for 13 years as well - so I stand in the shadow of giants.
“I hope that I can play my part in that long journey of MPs that we've had. I've got my agenda and I look forward to ensuring that families get the fair crack of the whip and that the community improves.”
He also said his two key focuses as an MP was improving the educational offering to children and cracking down on anti-social behaviour and improving public safety.
The seat had been held by the Tories since 2010 by Dame Tracey Crouch and had long been considered the safest of the three Medway constituencies for the Conservatives.
In 2019, Dame Tracey won a nearly 19,000-majority, but in February she announced she would be stepping down at the next election.
This week she revealed her new position advising top brands and sports stars at Hanover Communications.
Covering areas including parts of Chatham (though not the High Street and Brompton), Walderslade, Eccles, Aylesford, and Snodland, the constituency has a mix of parties at the local level.
Medway Council leader Vince Maple said he was very happy with the results, and paid tribute to the hard work of the outgoing MPs.
He added: “It’s fantastic to see the people of Medway once again trust Labour and we now have three fantastic MPs in Tris Osborne, Lauren Edwards and Naushabah Khan.”
Key moments from the count:
4.53am: Labour Party wins Chatham and Aylesford
3.52am: Nathan Gamester and Dame Tracey Crouch arrive at the count. Nathan Gamester when asked if he wanted to comment on the exit poll said: “No thanks.” and nothing else.
2.33am: Turnout is 54.5% - 40,971 votes
1.40am: Some glum faces amongst the Tories but Labour aren’t shouting from the rooftops - despite the national exit poll result - things may be a bit close for comfort.
10pm: The exit poll released at 10pm suggests Chatham and Aylesford will be taken by the Labour Party.
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