Tory victory in Boston and Skegness ‘a vote to get Brexit done’

Voters were perhaps not surprised Matt Warman held on to his seat for the Conservatives in the Boston and Skegness Constituency after the results of the national exit poll earlier in the evening, but those at the count were kept waiting for almost an hour before it was officially declared.
MP Matt Warman with some of his team after winning the Boston and Skegness seat. ANL-191213-065021001MP Matt Warman with some of his team after winning the Boston and Skegness seat. ANL-191213-065021001
MP Matt Warman with some of his team after winning the Boston and Skegness seat. ANL-191213-065021001

As the drama unfolded nationwide, there was frustrations in the Peter Paine Performance Centre when a recount was called over concerns two of the candidates might lose their deposit,

It was just before 5am when it was finally declared Mr Warman had won with a massive 25,632 majority and 31,963 votes.

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Mr Warman was defending a 16,572 majority over the Labour candidate in the 2017 election.

The results are declared. ANL-191213-064956001The results are declared. ANL-191213-064956001
The results are declared. ANL-191213-064956001

This was his third general election in five years since becoming MP in 2015.

After the result was declared, he described it as a ‘vote to get Brexit done’. He explained: “The Prime Minister has made it very clear he wants to get some legislation before Parliament so we have made some progress this year, and January will be quite an intense period of trying to get through a decent chuck of legislation so we can get Brexit done by January 31.

“I’m hugely pleased to be back in the seat and it’s a huge privilege to have that honour and also I am genuinely pleased to have a decisive majority that will allow us to get on with those manifesto commitments. to get on with not only Brexit but also the NHS, education and policing so we can deliver on the priorities that people raise on the doorstep.”

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In spite of continued bad weather throughout the day, turnout for the Boston and Skegness constituency was 63 per cent.

Lib Dem Hilary Jones )right) was the first candidate to arrive at the count. ANL-191213-065733001Lib Dem Hilary Jones )right) was the first candidate to arrive at the count. ANL-191213-065733001
Lib Dem Hilary Jones )right) was the first candidate to arrive at the count. ANL-191213-065733001

In second place with 6342 votes was Labour’s Ben Cook from Boston.

The employee from Asda thanked his team and supporters and said he didn’t think they could have done any more. He said he had thoroughly enjoyed his campaign - taking part in a Climate Conference with Mr Warman and Independent candidate Peter Watson just days before the election.

“Customers at Asda came up to me and wished me well. I have loved every minute of campaigning and won’t stop here.”

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Addressing Mr Warman, he said: “Matt when you get Brexit done please make sure you cast a finger at Boston and Skegness because if you don’t we will hold you to account for it.”

The count gets underway for the Boston and Skegness constituency. ANL-191213-005808001The count gets underway for the Boston and Skegness constituency. ANL-191213-005808001
The count gets underway for the Boston and Skegness constituency. ANL-191213-005808001

Lib Dem Hilary Jones came third with 1963 votes. She thanked the staff at the count and congratulated them on coming through in what had been “a very anxious day”.

Mrs Jones last stood for MP in her home constituency in Derby and said she expected campaigning in a Brexit stronghold would be difficult.

“It hasn’t been an easy election but I am a remainer and believe everyone has a democratic right and should have a choice. That has been my stance.

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”I have never stood in an election in December though and in spite of the dark cold and rainy day I’ve been told there has been a good turnout, which has to tell you something.”

Labour's Ben Cook arriving at the count. ANL-191213-005627001Labour's Ben Cook arriving at the count. ANL-191213-005627001
Labour's Ben Cook arriving at the count. ANL-191213-005627001

Mr Watson, a Boston Borough and Kirton Parish Councillor came fourth with 1428 votes, He thanked his team and family for their support. “I will continue working in the community at borough and parish level however,” he said.

* For full details of the elections in the district, see Wednesday’s Skegness Standard.

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