Labour cruise to by-election victory

Photo: Darren Robinson

THUMBS UP: Jim McMahon salutes his supporters alongside partner Charlene as the result is announced.

COUNCIL leader Jim McMahon's political rise continued last night as Labour took a comfortable majority in the Oldham West and Royton by-election.

A strong challenge from UKIP fell away as Councillor McMahon won a 10,722 majority — 61.92 per cent of the vote, also bringing relief to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for his party’s first by-election since taking the party reins.

Turnout was not as low as feared with 40.26 per cent of the electorate voting — compared with 60.39 per cent in May's general election.

UKIP’s John Bickley took 6,487 votes, Tory James Daly polled 2,596, Lib-Dem Jane Brophy 1,024, Green Party candidate Simeon Hart 249 and Sir Oink-A-Lot of the Monster Raving Loony Party 141.

The election followed the death in October of Labour stalwart Michael Meacher, who built up a majority of 14,738.