Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland: Labour's Luke Myer wins

Luke Myer won with16,468 votes with sitting MP Simon Clarke conceding defeat with a tally of 16,254 after a recount.

The Labour candidate made it home with 214 votes to spare in a very closely fought contest.

As the result was announced a huge cheer went up from the Labour candidate’s supporters.

New Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Luke Myer (Image: Newsquest)

Speaking after he was announced as the new MP, he said: “I am delighted that people here and across the country have chosen a changed Labour party to take our country forward and I believe that we can deliver the change our country needs.

“I am very tired; it has been a long night but I am very grateful for the people of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland for giving me the opportunity to serve.

“I won’t forget that trust. I will do my utmost to serve the people where I was born and raised.

“I love this constituency – it is the honour of my life to serve it.”

Middlesbrough and Thornaby East Andy McDonald with Luke Myer, the new Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland (Image: Newsquest)

And Sir Simon accepted defeat with grace as he spoke of his pride in representing the constituency where he grew up.

He said: “This is the best job in the world and there is no greater privilege than to serve your home constituency.

“I want to say thank you to my volunteers who have been out with me in all weathers. Our democracy is all the better for all of us who fight for the causes we believe in and go out there every day to make the case for those values.

“I salute those, not just of my party but all parties, who care about our country to exactly that.”

Full results: Simon Clarke – Conservative – 16,254; Jemma Joy – Liberal Democrat – 2,032; Rod Liddle – Social Democratic Party – 1,835; Rowan McLaughlin – Green Party – 1,446; Luke Myer – Labour – 16,468.

The turnout was 54.83 percent with 38,564 votes cast.