Labour’s Emma Lewell-Buck has won the South Shields by-election becoming the town’s first ever female Member of Parliament.
In her speech after the declaration, Emma Lewell-Buck MP said:
Madam Mayor,
This by-election was a choice between a One Nation Labour Party that will work with communities to turn this country around and David Cameron’s Tory-led government which is taking the country in the wrong direction.
Mr Cameron, when working families needed a government on their side you made them pay for a tax cut for millionaires.
When our young people needed jobs you gave them a shrinking economy.
When the most vulnerable in our society were really struggling, you gave them the bedroom tax
Tonight the people of South Shields have sent a clear message to David Cameron and his government. It’s time to change course.
It is an honour to be elected as the new Member of Parliament for South Shields…
And the first ever woman Member of Parliament for South Shields!
It is humbling to follow in the footsteps of some great men but I can assure you that this woman will walk in her own way.
My first thanks must go to the people of this constituency. I’ve promised to be a loud and strong voice for this town. A town full of caring, proud, passionate and inventive people.
During the campaign I’ve talked a few times about my great, great, great granddad William Wouldhave, who of course famously invented the lifeboat.
Well I tell you after tonight’s results David Cameron is going to be in need of such a vessel.
He’s managed to sail HMS Coalition straight into the rocks, aided by his navigator Osborne and the Cabin Boy Clegg.
This government is starting to get a dose of the reality facing hard-pressed families here in Shields and across the country.
And its time David Cameron started to listen.
I’ve stood in the dole queue,
I’ve held down some pretty low-paid jobs,
I’ve worried about paying the bills.
As a social worker I’ve seen first-hand the disastrous impact this government is having on families they should be helping.
This has shaped my approach to politics.
Over the last few weeks of campaigning I am grateful to the people of Shields for sharing their personal stories with me.
The young lad desperate to find a job.
The concerned Dad worried about the future for his young daughter.
The wife busy caring for a husband wracked with pain due to a spinal injury, now hit by the bedroom tax and told to move to a one bedroom flat.
I’ll never forget them and One Nation Labour won’t give up fighting for them.
My job is clear,
Help get young people back to work,
Champion our wonderful town.
And never give this Tory-led government one moment’s peace over the harm they are causing to our community.
Mr Acting Returning Officer, I’d like to thank you and you’re the staff at South Tyneside Council for the efficient way you have conducted this election.
I’d like to thank Simon my husband, my agent Fiona Stanton and her fantastic Labour Party team.
I’d also like to thank my fellow candidates. It has been a pleasure to debate the future of this great town with you.
But again I’d like to thank the wonderful people of South Shields for giving me the chance to do the best job in the world, being your voice in Westminster.
I will work hard every day and I promise I won’t let you down.