Labour holds Swansea West by just 500 votes
LABOUR'S Geraint Davies has held the Swansea West seat for his party in the tightest election for decades.
The newly elected MP held off the strong challenge from the Lib Dem's Peter May by 500 votes.
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Labour's Geraint Davies and Lib Dem Peter May
Mr Davies won with 12,335, against Mr May's 11,831.
Speaking to the Post shortly after he was told of his victory, Mr Davies paid tribute to his predecessor Alan Williams who has held the seat since 1964.
He said: "I am overjoyed that after six years of distinguished service from Alan Williams the people of Swansea West have put their confidence in me to represent them in parliament."
Addressing the crowd, shortly before 3am, Mr Davies took a swipe at his political opponents.
He said: "In Swansea the volcanic ash of Nick Clegg has settled and the sunshine of Labour's campaign for jobs and schools in Swansea has shone through."
Mr Davies acknowledged that the race had been close, adding: "It has been a long and tough campaign and I hope now we can work together for the city."
A clearly disappointed Mr May said he was proud to have taken the vote to such a tight conclusion.
He said: "This allegedly was a safe Labour seat.
"We have taken it within 500 and made it a truely marginal seat."
Ironically it was the performance of former Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate Rene Kinzett, who fought this election for the Tories, that might have cost them victory.
Mr Kinzett secured 7,407 votes, in what he described as the first increase in Conservative vote in Swansea West since 1983.
He said: "We are now above 20 per cent."
All three parties promised to be back next year and fight for the Assembly seat.
4 Comments
by roy.adams, dunvant
Friday, May 07 2010, 7:04PM
“Mr depressed Walter-- I am very sorry you feel the way you do. Though i expect there are many Teachers and staff who have spent so many years studying for their qualifications and parents who are worried about their childrens education, who are also feeling depressed, because your beloved Lib/Dem led council including "Peter May" voted to make massive reduction cuts of over £6 Million from an already tight education budget. Though i must say i did not vote for any of the three main party's.”
by swansea voter, swansea
Friday, May 07 2010, 2:19PM
“There you go Walter Depressed then Angry. At least you are letting the repressed emotions come out”
by angry walter, swansea
Friday, May 07 2010, 9:41AM
“i've just spent twenty minutes typing a comment and you' ve not published it Why?”
by a very depressed walter cox, swansea
Friday, May 07 2010, 9:35AM
“What a disaster for Swansea West. These Labour clowns parachute an ex Croydon MP, with a history of questionable expenses claims, into west Wales and people vote him!!! I question the sanity of these supporters-i spoke to Geraint Davies last week and he seemed very lightweight - hardly the person to replace the father of the house - Alan Williams.
I also question the political awareness of 7,407 Tory voters, who I also blame for the Labour victory- if they had only voted tactically,Labour could have been stopped.
We need now to be afraid , very afraid, of a Tory administration. The future looks bleak. The best we can hope is that Clown Gordon can do a deal with Nick Clegg and that Clegg can get some concessions. I wonder what Arthur,Roger and Helen think. Nurse my brain hurts!”