The Conservatives have won the Hartlepool by-election – taking a seat that has been under Labour’s control since it was created in the 1970s.
Jill Mortimer’s victory marks a rare gain for a governing party, but serves as a major blow to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
UK election results live: Early blow for Sir Keir Starmer as ‘Super Thursday’ votes counted
Hartlepool by-election result
She defeated Labour candidate Dr Paul Williams by 6,940 votes to deliver a comprehensive win for Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Conservative Party co-chairman Amanda Milling hailed a “historic result”.
Meanwhile, an inquest into the defeat began among Labour ranks, with one party source saying: “We’ve said all along the North East and the Midlands would be difficult.
“We also said the places declaring Thursday would be particularly difficult.
“But, the message from voters is clear and we have heard it. Labour has not yet changed nearly enough for voters to place their trust in us.
“We understand that. We are listening. And we will now redouble our efforts.
“Labour must now accelerate the programme of change in our party, to win back the trust and faith of working people across Britain.
“People don’t want to hear excuses. Keir has said he will take responsibility for these results – and he will take responsibility for fixing it and changing the Labour Party for the better.”
Momentum, the left-wing campaign group who supported ex-party leader Jeremy Corbyn, described the Hartlepool by-election result as a “disaster”.
“In 2017, we won over 50% of the vote in Hartlepool,” they posted on Twitter.
“A transformative socialist message has won in Hartlepool before, and it would have won again.”
Hartlepool had remained under Labour’s control in 2019, even as other bricks in the “red wall” crumbled – with the Brexit Party splitting the Tory vote.
The by-election is one of a number of results expected over the coming days following “Super Thursday”, with voters going to the polls in England, Scotland and Wales.
Sky’s chief political correspondent Jon Craig, who is at the count in Hartlepool, said: “Labour have been badly punished by the voters here, and there will be an almighty inquest in the Labour Party now – with Sir Keir Starmer’s left-wing critics blaming him. No doubt some of the leading left-wing trade union leaders will have plenty to say as well.
“A pretty uncomfortable time is coming up for Sir Keir after this very bad result for Labour.”