00:00The number of votes recorded for each candidate at the said election is as follows.
00:06Christopher Ashley Brunnell, Liberal Democrat, 1,607.
00:121-6-0-7.
00:15Cat Eccles, Labour Party candidate, 15,338.
00:211-5-3-3-8.
00:25Stephen James Price, Green Party, 1,732.
00:34Mohammed Ramzan, Workers' Party of Britain, 1,067.
00:42Richard John Shaw, Reform UK, 7,869.
00:50Suzanne Webb, Conservative Party candidate, 12,268.
00:581-2-2-6.
01:05The number of ballot papers rejected was as follows.
01:09The total number of ballots I have rejected is therefore 113-113.
01:14The turnout for the constituency was 58.63%.
01:18And I do hereby declare that Catherine Eccles is duly elected.
01:31Well, how long have we waited for this?
01:35So, of course, I'd like to thank the returning officer, the accounting staff, the security staff,
01:40my brilliant campaign team, my agent Jeff and Nats, the campaign leads,
01:46and, of course, my husband, who's been by my side every step of the way.
01:50I couldn't have done it without all of you.
01:52I'd also like to thank all the other candidates.
01:55It's really not easy to put yourself forward for public office,
01:58and I respect every single one of you for doing it.
02:01And thank you to the outgoing MP, Suzanne Webb, for representing Stourbridge over the last five years.
02:07And thank you to all the voters who put their faith in me.
02:11Those who didn't vote for me, I promise I will work tirelessly to be a voice for all of us across Stourbridge
02:17and a representative for the entire community in Westminster.
02:21I know many people have voted Labour for the first time or lent me their support as a tactical vote.
02:27And I thank you. I will do all I can to deliver that change that people have voted for.
02:33It really is the honour of my life to have this opportunity to represent the place I love and call home.
02:40Labour has only ever won from opposition.
02:43I remember the last Labour government.
02:45Well, I'm actually a lot older than I look, and I do remember the last Labour government.
02:50And life was certainly much better for me back then.
02:53And now we've got a third of children living in poverty,
02:56tens of thousands of people on NHS waiting lists,
02:59record numbers of food bank parcels being handed out,
03:02people unable to own their own home and rocketing energy bills.
03:05But it does not have to be this way.
03:08The Labour Party will focus on the priorities of working people.
03:12We'll stabilise the economy, bring down bills,
03:15create clean energy, more police on the streets and fix the NHS.
03:21But it's not going to be a silver bullet.
03:24It will require hard work and dedication.
03:28Never again will we go back to the chaotic and self-serving politics,
03:33gimmicky solutions of the populist right,
03:36who would rather stoke hatred and division than do right by their communities.
03:41We're ready to serve and take back control,
03:45not from innocent minorities but from cruel, inept, outgoing government.
03:50I will get on with this job.
03:53It's time for change and I'm ready to deliver for Stourbridge.
03:57Thank you.
04:08Thank you very much and congratulations.
04:11What a night, Nathalie, and I will leave the analysis to political history
04:16about exactly what happened across the country and here in Stourbridge tonight.
04:21Look, I have loved being an MP for this constituency.
04:24The people have made it one of the best places to live, work and serve
04:28and the people are just the best.
04:30Thank you to my association, my agent, Michael Blaymore-Brown.
04:34I owe you all a huge debt of gratitude.
04:37To the returning officer and all the staff tonight,
04:40thank you also to the police for their operation that goes on all day long
04:44just to make sure everything runs smoothly and protects us all.
04:48A very special thank you to my constituency team, Adrian, Ellie and Andrew.
04:53Now, the one thing I promise is that I will never give up fighting for justice for Ryan
04:58and I look forward to seeing Ade, Jill and Jason very, very soon.
05:02That is something that I will stay on top of
05:05because one day we will see justice for Ryan.
05:08As I said at the beginning, we will decide in political history
05:12exactly what has happened.
05:15But I wish everybody who is now newly elected
05:18an amazing time in Westminster.
05:20You're going to have an incredible time.
05:22It's a fantastic place and I know you are going to love the constituency as well,
05:25all the constituency work.
05:28And finally, a thank you to all the residents who wished me well.
05:31Overwhelming response I've had out on the doorsteps
05:34and I must just thank every single one of them,
05:37especially over the last six weeks
05:39and especially for my beautiful and naughty cocker spaniel, Sid.
05:43He says thank you very much.
05:45He was taken to all of your hearts as well in the constituency.
05:48So thank you very much.
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