Western eases to victory in Trafford by-election  

Trafford Council leader Andrew Western is now an MP having won almost 70% of the votes in the Stretford and Urmston by-election, which saw just 25.8% of the electorate head to the polls.  

He is now expected to step down as leader of Trafford Council, at which point the authority’s Labour group will elect a new leader. 

“I am overjoyed to be elected as the Member of Parliament for my home town,” Western said. 

“It’s clear from the result, and from the conversations I have had with voters throughout the campaign, that the public want a general election. 

“The Conservative Party are failing to lead the country. They have unleashed a wrecking ball through the foundations of our economy and undermined the public’s trust in democracy. 

“Only Labour can deliver the change our country needs.” 

Western, who has been leader of Trafford Council since 2018, has stood to be an MP twice before. 

In 2017 and 2019, Western lost out to Conservative Sir Graham Brady in Altrincham and Sale West. 

Having prevailed in Stretford and Urmston, Western will take over as MP from Kate Green, whose decision to resign and become Greater Manchester deputy mayor prompted the by-election to be called. 

In the 2019 general election, Green won 60% of the votes compared to the Conservative candidate’s 27.5%. 

In yesterday’s by-election, the Conservative runner-up Emily Carter-Kandola recorded a 16% share of the vote as Western strengthened Labour’s hold over the ward. 

Labour’s victory in Stretford and Urmston is the party’s second in recent weeks. 

In November, Samantha Dixon held the City of Chester seat for Labour, increasing the party’s majority in the process. 

The Chester by-election came about after Christian Matheson resigned amid allegations of sexual misconduct.