ELECTION 2010: Tense night ends with few surprises in Hull and East Riding
Diana Johnson held on to her seat in Hull North in a night of few surprises locally.
Ms Johnson was confirmed the winner over Lib Dem Denis Healy after a recount at Hull's City Hall.
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Diana Johnson held on to her Hull North seat
In the end, there were just 641 votes splitting the pair.
It means Ms Johnson's majority has gone down by 6,505 since her 7,146 lead in the 2005 General Election.
She said: "I think the results in Hull have shown the people of the city know that their best interests are served by having Labour MPs.
"It has been a difficult campaign because I always wanted it to be about policies but the Liberal Democrats made it very personal.
"I don't do personal slurs but that's what I have had to put up with from them, not just in the last few weeks but for the last five years.
"I just find it all very sad that it turned out that way."
She clashed again with Mr Healy as they left the stage following the announcement.
Afterwards, Mr Healy said: "I have never attacked Diana on a personal level and I think it's quite dreadful that she continues to peddle this line.
"All I have ever attacked on her is her record of failure as an MP."
Labour's Karl Turner won Hull East to secure John Prescott as the area's MP.
In an emotional speech, Mr Turner thanked "the people of east Hull for putting their trust in me when trust in politicians has not been terribly good."
He said: "I am grateful for your overwhelming support.
"It has been an unforgettable experience for me, but it has not been without mixed emotion.
"I will never forget the happiness of being chosen by people I grew up with to be elected for Parliament."
Home Secretary Alan Johnson was re-elected as MP for Hull West and Hessle, with a reduced majority.
The former postman's seat, which he has held since 1997, was widely regarded as safe.
He was elected with 13,378 votes, a majority of 5,742.
In the 2005 election he won with a majority of 9,450.
Following the announcement, Mr Johnson, – who has been widely tipped as a possible successor to Gordon Brown – said: "This evening will see a change in British politics, nothing will be the same again.
"We need to protect public services and we need a new type of politics.
"I'm so proud to be elected to serve Hull West and Hessle for the fourth time."
Conservative David Davis retained his Haltemprice and Howden seat with 24,486 votes.
This was nearly double his closest rival, Lib Demo Jon Neal, who received 12,884
Mr Davis said: "I'd like to thank my party and the other candidates, who fought with dignity and intelligence.
"I'd like to thank my constituents who put their trust in me for the seventh time. I will continue to endeavour to live up to that confidence that they have shown in me."
Andrew Percy secured Brigg and Goole for the Conservatives with a majority of more than 5,000.
It means Labour's Ian Cawsey has lost the seat after 13 years as MP for the area.
Mr Cawsey said: "It will be a big change for me. But I've had big changes in my life before and I have always coped.
"I will look to do something. I'm not the sort of person who can sit idle for too long.
"Hopefully it will be something dealing with the community or the public - that's what I like doing."
Mr Percy said he was honoured to be given the chance to represent the constituency.
In his victory speech he said: "I want to say a massive thank you to the electors of Brigg and Goole for giving me the privilege of representing them in Parliament.
"I will do as I promised to work as a representative for them as a strong, independent MP for the area."
Graham Stuart held the Beverley and Holderness seat for the Conservatives.
Mr Stuart secured 25,063 votes, which was around 13,000 more than second placed Liberal Democrat Craig Dobson.
He said: "I am exhilerated and delighted. It was a far bigger swing than we could have imagined."
Fellow Tory Greg Knight was re-elected for East Yorkshire.
He increased his majority from 6,283 in 2005 to 13,486.
Mr Knight said he was "delighted" and "felt very humbled" that his majority had gone up in such a way.
He said: "I appreciate the faith the voting public have had in me and I will do my best for East Yorkshire, even though it could be a very difficult time for Parliament."
116 Comments
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by Howard, Hull
Wednesday, May 12 2010, 7:41AM
“Or well fed up hull north.
You are right wont be long before next election.
At least Diana will be actually in a "2 horse race"
like the Lib Dems always quote but the choice next time in there leaflets will be
LABOUR OR LIB DEM-CON
And CON is what the Lib Dems are and always will be.”
by Mr Apolitical, Hessle
Sunday, May 09 2010, 2:50PM
“It's sad to see people slagging each other off like this. We need to face up to this as a nation - together. We need to face up to the fact that the economy at large has been living beyond its means, just like millions of individuals have. The country has grossly overspent on things it can't afford in the name of social engineering.
I was dragged up screaming and kicking on the equivalent of North Hull Estate and by sheer hard work ended up as a Professional. Graft doesn't have to involve brains - it can be just graft -and it all pays. When a society has families where a working day is an anathema and we are willing to pay them to sit and do nothing, that society is doomed. We need change. We have to face it - the country is bankrupt, we have been lied to for years about how bad the state of the country is. If this were a household, we'd have been repossessed and kicked into the street.
How about a new system? NO PARTIES? Each MP stands on his/her personal ticket and merits. No national policy and then each idea voted on is on the basis of that is or isn't a good idea. That's true democracy - not the Whip.”
by Neil Theasby, Sheffield
Saturday, May 08 2010, 7:10PM
“To "Darryl Fortnight, Ferriby" - Regarding Labour's proud record of prioritising the needs and aspirations of ordinary working people, you only need to understand a little of the history of twentieth century Britain. My initial remarks were certainly not "utter rubbish" but your grasp of political history surely is. It always boils down to deciding which side of the fence you are on and it is very clear Mr Fortnight (what a weird name!) where your bombastic loyalties lie.”
by Lib Dem voter (For Change!), west Hull
Friday, May 07 2010, 10:01PM
“I agree with Hayley. I know of people who just vote Labour because they get all the benefits and under another government...they may have to work !
I am not including the people who are Labour supporters, because they are ignorant of what is going on in the rest of the country and vote Labour..because thier parents voted Labour!
All I can say to the people of North Hull, who voted for Diana Johnson....WHY?”
by Steve, Hull
Friday, May 07 2010, 8:32PM
“hardworker, rather not live in this dump
Well I would like you to know I work for myself and employ 12 other people who rely on me for there income I have now just got home from work at 8 so thats another day of 11hrs making that 5 this week I will be working in the morning then doing some paperwork in the afternoon.so just another normal working week So tell me Hardworker what do you do after your 2 day part time job?”