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30 June 2011
Last updated at 17:02 ET
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Declaration of Iain McKenzie's win
Labour has won the Inverclyde by-election for the UK parliament but its majority has been more than halved.
Iain McKenzie took the Westminster seat with 15,118 votes over the SNP's Anne McLaughlin on 9,280. Labour's majority fell from 14,416 at the 2010 general election to 5,838.
The Conservatives took third place with 2,784, the Liberal Democrats polled 627 votes and UKIP was fifth with 288.
The by-election was held after the death of David Cairns in May, aged 44.
The turnout for the by-election was 45.53%, down more than 17% compared with the 2010 General Election.
'Enormously humbled' In his victory speech, Mr McKenzie said: "First can I say this is an election none of us wanted.
"We would have much preferred that our dear friend, and widely respected MP David Cairns was still among us and still selflessly serving the people of Inverclyde as he did for 10 years before he was tragically taken from us.
"Can I say I'm enormously humbled to be elected to succeed David, and continue his work, standing up for our communities, fighting for fairness and opportunities for our people?
Mr McKenzie said it had been a "good night for Inverclyde and a good night for Labour too".
"I'm proud to be part of the Labour Party, renewing itself under the leadership of Ed Miliband, listening more, working harder and challenging for better, to get back in touch with those we seek to serve," he said.
"And I'm proud that my community of Inverclyde has paid an important step in Labour's mission to win back the trust of the people both here in Scotland and south of the border.
"Remember, only weeks ago the SNP came within 511 votes of winning here, but tonight the voters of Inverclyde have rejected them - this time giving myself and the Scottish Labour Party not a 500 majority, but over 5,000 of a majority.
"Labour's fightback has started right here in Inverclyde - my hometown."
'Beneath contempt' Mr McKenzie suggested the SNP had talked down the community of Inverclyde during the campaign.
He added: "I get angry when I hear people talk down my community. The people who came here asking for our votes, and then suggested they need jabs to get out of Inverclyde, are beneath contempt."
Mr McKenzie was referring to a controversial Facebook posting by George Adam, MSP for nearby Paisley, who wrote that he would need "jabs" after a visit to Greenock.
SNP candidate Ms McLaughlin congratulated Mr McKenzie on his victory.
She said: "I understand that he feels incredibly proud and privileged to be elected to represent Inverclyde.
"There can be nothing better than being elected for the party of your choice to represent the people of your home area, and I congratulate him on achieving that and I wish him well in Westminster."
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Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.Declaration of Iain McKenzie's win
Labour has won the Inverclyde by-election for the UK parliament but its majority has been more than halved.
Iain McKenzie took the Westminster seat with 15,118 votes over the SNP's Anne McLaughlin on 9,280. Labour's majority fell from 14,416 at the 2010 general election to 5,838.
The Conservatives took third place with 2,784, the Liberal Democrats polled 627 votes and UKIP was fifth with 288.
The by-election was held after the death of David Cairns in May, aged 44.
The turnout for the by-election was 45.53%, down more than 17% compared with the 2010 General Election.
'Enormously humbled' In his victory speech, Mr McKenzie said: "First can I say this is an election none of us wanted.
"We would have much preferred that our dear friend, and widely respected MP David Cairns was still among us and still selflessly serving the people of Inverclyde as he did for 10 years before he was tragically taken from us.
"Can I say I'm enormously humbled to be elected to succeed David, and continue his work, standing up for our communities, fighting for fairness and opportunities for our people?
Mr McKenzie said it had been a "good night for Inverclyde and a good night for Labour too".
"I'm proud to be part of the Labour Party, renewing itself under the leadership of Ed Miliband, listening more, working harder and challenging for better, to get back in touch with those we seek to serve," he said.
"And I'm proud that my community of Inverclyde has paid an important step in Labour's mission to win back the trust of the people both here in Scotland and south of the border.
"Remember, only weeks ago the SNP came within 511 votes of winning here, but tonight the voters of Inverclyde have rejected them - this time giving myself and the Scottish Labour Party not a 500 majority, but over 5,000 of a majority.
"Labour's fightback has started right here in Inverclyde - my hometown."
'Beneath contempt' Mr McKenzie suggested the SNP had talked down the community of Inverclyde during the campaign.
He added: "I get angry when I hear people talk down my community. The people who came here asking for our votes, and then suggested they need jabs to get out of Inverclyde, are beneath contempt."
Mr McKenzie was referring to a controversial Facebook posting by George Adam, MSP for nearby Paisley, who wrote that he would need "jabs" after a visit to Greenock.
SNP candidate Ms McLaughlin congratulated Mr McKenzie on his victory.
She said: "I understand that he feels incredibly proud and privileged to be elected to represent Inverclyde.
"There can be nothing better than being elected for the party of your choice to represent the people of your home area, and I congratulate him on achieving that and I wish him well in Westminster."
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