Labour successfully clinched their number one target seat in the North West as Luciana Berger was elected as MP for Liverpool Wavertree.
The 28-year-old Londoner won with 53.1% of the votes in the city’s only marginal constituency.
The victory delighted the under-fire candidate, who was heavily criticised when she was selected to replace MP Jane Kennedy, who stepped down at the General Election after 18 years in Parliament.
Thanking her campaign team and supporters at Wavertree Sports Park, Ms Berger said: “Thank you for putting your trust in me. I hope I will do you proud.”
Gracious in defeat, Liberal Democrat candidate Colin Eldridge also thanked his supporters and said: “In the dust of defeat, there is glory to be had for the man who has done his best.”
However earlier in the night, before the Wavertree count had even begun, Eldridge appeared to have conceded defeat via his Twitter page.
He tweeted: “Thank you to the thousands of people who voted for me in Wavertree.
“Unfortunately it looks like we haven't quite made it, but very proud of our efforts.”
Eldridge has also reportedly complained to Liverpool City Council and the Electoral Commission after Liberal Democrat voters were turned away from four Wavertree polling stations after ballot papers ran out.
Liverpool Wavertree: Full Result
Luciana Berger (LAB) – 20,132
Frank Dunne (IND) – 149
Colin Eldridge (LD) – 12,965
Andrew Garnett (CON) – 2,830
Rebecca Lawson (GRN) – 598
Steven McEllenborough (BNP) – 150
Neil Miney (UKIP) – 890
Kim Singleton (SLP) - 200
Turnout - 60.64%
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