Labour wins a national landslide as they take both Swindon seats

Labour have won the General Election as they take both Swindon seats.

"Now, we can look forward again. Walk into the morning. A ray of hope. Change begins now," said the country's new UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer declaring victory in the General Election.

This comes after a disastrous night for The Conservative Party as they lost seat after seat.

Swindon South was the first seat in the South West to be declared at just past midnight with Labour candidate Heidi Alexander convincingly winning against Conservative incumbent Sir Robert Buckland.

Two hours later it was Swindon North's turn, with Conservative Justin Tomlinson losing to Labour's Will Stone.

New Swindon South MP Heidi Alexander has been campaigning for the seat for the past two years, having served as the MP for  Lewisham East for eight years from 2010 before becoming the Deputy Mayor of London for Transport from 2018 to 2021.

The new MP was born in the town and went to Churchfields School and New College.

She beat Conservative Sir Robert Buckland who has served as the Swindon South MP for 14 years since 2010 and who became Lord Chancellor, Justice Secretary and Secretary for Wales during his time as an MP.

He was elected to Swindon South in the same election that saw fellow Conservative Justin Tomlinson elected to Swindon North.

Heidi Alexander won the election by 21,676 votes, 9,606 votes more than Sir Robert Buckland who received 12,070 votes.

The results in full - 

Heidi Alexander (Lab) - 21,676

Sir Robert Buckland (Con) - 12,070

Martin Costello (Ind) - 472

Rod Hebden (Green) - 2,539

Catherine Kosidowski (Reform UK) - 6,194

Matt McCabe (Lib Dem) - 1,843

Turnout - 61.92%

Heidi Alexander said: "Swindon has voted for change today, and it's a huge responsibility for me as Member of Parliament to get real action on the issues that matter most to people.

"I know so many people who are struggling desperately with the cost of living. I know some people are struggling to put food on the table for their kids."

The new South Swindon MP added that she would be prioritising the plight of those who were struggling because of the cost of living crisis, along with addressing problems with the NHS and bringing high quality jobs to the town. The latter, she said would mean the next generation did not have to leave the town in order to get on in life.

"I'm delighted with the result," she said, "and the hard work starts tomorrow."

Immediately after the result was announced, Ms Alexander said in a message to the people of the constituency: "Tonight we get our future back. You oted for change and a changed Labour Party that will change our country for the better."

She described being elected to represent her home town as the honour of her life, and also offered some words of praise for Sir Robert Buckland, saying: "The political winds of change may be blowing, but I hope your contribution to public life continues."

Sir Robert Buckland described representing the people of South Swindon for 14 years and through four General Elections as an honour.

"I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the tens of thousands of fellow resdents who have supported me all these years," he said."

Like Heidi Alexander, Sir Robert thanked his loved ones and campaign team, and offered a personal message to South Swindon's new MP: "My hopes go with you for the future of our town and our country."

He added: "Thank you Swindon for giving me the opportunity of my life to make a positive difference to our town and our nation."

Sir Robert highlighted the work he had done in areas as diverse as improving services for people with disabilties to helping to bring new economic life to the former Honda site.

Asked by Swindon Link whether he felt the result involved his paying the price for the actions of others in his party, he replied: "Frankly yes - but I'm not bitter because I do not believe in bitterness."

Sir Robert said he believed everybody in the party needed to do better, and to do a better job of highlighting the party's achievements.

The now-former MP also revealed that he was still considering a future in the Commons.

New Swindon North MP Will Stone has been campaigning for the seat for the past two years and is a former soldier who is also a Swindon borough councillor.

The new MP was born in the town and went to Headlands School followed by Swindon College at North Star, which is now part of New College.

He beat Conservative Justin Tomlinson who has served as the Swindon North MP for 14 years since 2010.

He was elected to Swindon North in the same election that saw fellow Conservative Sir Robert Buckland elected to Swindon South.

Will Stone won the election by 17,930 votes, 4,103 votes more than Justin Tomlinson who received 13,827 votes.

The results in full - 

Will Stone (Lab) - 17,930

Justin Tomlinson (Con) - 13,827

Debbie Tara Hicks (Ind) - 260

Scott Victor Abbas Hunter (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition) - 139

Andy Bentley (Green) - 2,366

Les Willis (Reform UK) - 7,557

Flo Clucas (Lib Dem) - 2,086

Turnout - 60.48%

New North Swindon MP Will Stone said after the result was announced: "Thank you to the voters, to the people who have put their faith in me to represet them as a strong voice for Swindon North.

"I will work tirelessly for you to make sure that Swindon gets the changes it needs."

Mr Stone spoke of his pride at representing Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party, and pledged to deliver for the people of Swindon.

He added: "I can't wait to get stuck in."

Later, Mr Stone told Swindon Link of his happiness at presenting people with a manifesto which included measures to bring better jobs, reduce NHS waiting times and cut energy bills.

Mr Tomlinson congratulated Mr Stone on his victory, and said of his own party's performance: "This is a dreadful result for the Conservative Party."

Dismissing any possible excuses, he added: "We got the result we deseved."

Mr Tomlinson spoke of his love for the town and his gratitude at having served it.