Election 2024 – As it happened

After securing the Holborn and St Pancras seat, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer pledged to “end the politics of performance”.

He said: “Tonight people here and around the country have spoken and they’re ready for change – to end the politics of performance and return to politics as public service.

“The change begins right here because this is your democracy, your community and your future. You have voted. It is now time for us to deliver.”

Sir Keir said he had to thank his wife Vic and his family “more than anyone” for keeping him “grounded”.

He added: “I’d like to pay tribute to my fellow candidates who put themselves forward for public service, because in this room, right here, beats the heart of our democracy, not in Westminster, or Whitehall, but in town halls and community centres up and down the country.

“In polling stations and voting booths, and most of all, in the hands of people who hold the power of the vote. It all starts here.”

Sir Keir continued: “Whether you voted for me or not, I will serve every person in this constituency.

“The mothers I sat with who lost children to knife crime, the pensioners who can’t get the doctor’s appointments they desperately need, the local businesses who’ve struggled so hard to keep their head above water. I will speak out for you. Have your back. Fight your corner, every single day.”

Here’s more on the Hull Road by-election win, from Joe Gerrard – the York Local Democracy Reporter…

Labour have held on to their majority on York Council after winning the Hull Road ward by-election.

Labour candidate John Moroney won the seat in the east of the city with 1,203 votes while Liberal Democrat Andrew Mortimer coming second with 1,008.

Green Ben French finished third with 602 of the 3,127 ballots cast while Conservative Ellis Holden came fourth with 314.

Labour group and council leader Coun Claire Douglas told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they were over the moon with the result but added it was never in doubt for them.

The result was the first to be declared in York with ballots still being counted in the early hours of Friday (July 5) for the general election.

Mr Moroney’s victory means that Labour will continue to hold an overall majority on York Council with 24 of the authority’s 47 seats.

The Liberal Democrat opposition has 19 councillors, the Conservatives three and there is one independent.

The party first took control of the council for the first time since 2015 last year.

Mr Moroney, a retired GP, said prior to the vote that he was particularly interested in health and social care issues and was excited by Labour’s free school meals pilot.

Labour’s victory in York comes as exit polls were predicting that the party would win the general election by a landslide after 14 years in opposition.

Labour group leader Coun Douglas said the voters in Hull Road had responded to their positive campaign.

The group leader said: “John’s going to be a fantastic councillor for the ward.

“It shows that Labour continues to have a great track record on delivering free school meals, affordable housing and reversing the blue badge ban.”