VOTED IN: Tracy Brabin is the new MP for Batley and Spen
VOTED IN: Tracy Brabin is the new MP for Batley and Spen

Former Coronation Street actor, Tracy Brabin, has been elected to succeed Jo Cox as MP for Batley and Spen after receiving an overwhelming 86 per cent of the votes in last week’s by-election.

Ms Brabin, who stood as the Labour candidate for the area, said the vote represented a victory for ‘hope and unity’ as she looks to build on her predecessors well documented work.

In respect of Ms Cox, who died after being shot and stabbed whilst working in Birstall back in June, the Conservatives, Greens, Ukip and Liberal Democrats did not field a candidate for the seat.

Nine fringe candidates, many from far-right parties, did stand however with Therese Hirst, for the English Democrats, coming second with 969 votes, and BNP’s David Furness third with 548.

None of the applicants received the required five per cent of the vote needed to get their £500 deposits back.

The bereaved widower of Ms Cox, Brendan Cox, tweeted his congratulations for Ms Brabin.

He wrote: “Well done @Tracy4MP & great to see all the purveyors of hate lose their deposits #MoreInCommon (sic).”

Despite only seeing a turnout of 26 per cent, Ms Brabin commended her hometown for their support.

“I want to start by thanking the wonderful people of Batley and Spen – my home community that I’m so proud of,” she said.

“This has been a difficult experience for all of us, and tonight is a bittersweet occasion for me. That this by-election has had to take place at all is a tragedy.”

She added: “I hope Jo will be proud tonight of our community. We have shown that we stand together with one voice choosing unity and hope.”