Manchester Central by-election

Labour's Lucy Powell elected MP for Manchester Central

Lucy Powell canvassing with comedian Eddie Izzard
Lucy Powell canvassing with comedian Eddie Izzard. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Archive

Labour today held Manchester Central with a majority of 9,936 votes.

Lucy Powell was elected MP with 11,507 votes, taking over from veteran Tony Lloyd who gave up the parliamentary seat to stand in the police and crime commissioner elections.

In second place was the Liberal Democrat candidate Marc Ramsbottom, who secured 1,571 votes.

The Tory candidate Matthew Sephton won 754 votes. He is expected to lose his deposit after winning less than 5% of the vote.

The turnout of 18.16% was reportedly the lowest in a parliamentary by-election since the Second World War.

The post-war record until now for the lowest turnout is believed to be 19.9% in 1999 in the seat of Leeds Central.

The result is bad news for the Liberal Democrats as it represents a swing to Labour of 16.77%.