Labour comfortably held onto the Wythenshawe and Sale East seat in yesterday’s by-election with UKIP coming second and pushing the Tories into third place.
Michael Kane won 13,261 votes, gaining three times the number as runner-up UKIP candidate John Bickley with 4301 votes.
The Conservative’s Rev Daniel Critchlowcame third with 3,479 votes with Liberal Democrat’s Mary Di Mauro being squeezed into fourth place with just 1,176 votes.
The by-election was triggered by the sudden death of Labour MP Paul Goggins in January who had represented constituents since 1997.
Mr Kane said: “The people of Wythenshawe and Sale East have sent a very clear message they want a government to stand up for us all – a one-nation Labour government.
“It is a result that demonstrates the people know the NHS is not safe in David Cameron’s hands and we have had enough of this utterly out-of-touch government.”
Mr Kane also paid tribute to those in Manchester affected by the storms and his predecessor and his ‘dear friend’ Paul Goggins.
After his victory Mr Kane tweeted his delight: “Wow. We did it! Thank you so much for all your support, help and hours spent speaking to voters. I am truly humbled. Now let’s get to work.”
Other parties who put forward candidates include the Green Party with 748 votes, the Monster Raving Loony Party with 288 and the British National Party with 708 votes.
Image courtesy of Sky News via YouTube, with thanks
