Labour’s new MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire - Henry Tufnell has promised deliver ‘change’ for the people of the county that voted for it, after ending Conservative Stephen Crabb’s 19 years as an MP in the area.
The new seat has parts of the former Preseli Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire West and South Pembrokeshire; seats now no more after boundary changes.
They have both been held by Conservatives for many years; 2005 in the case of Preseli Pembrokeshire and 2010 in Carmarthenshire West and South Pembrokeshire, with the victories of Stephen Crabb and Simon Hart respectively.
Polls had predicted the new seat would be gained by Labour, with percentage figures of votes for candidate Henry Tufnell ranging from 33 per cent to as high as 50 per cent.
At the count held at Haverfordwest High School, Labour’s Henry Tufnell gained the new seat, with 16,505 votes to Conservative Stephen Crabb’s 24,627, with Reform’s Stuart Marchant taking third place with 7,828 votes.
Following his win, Henry Tufnell stated: “It is an honour and privilege to have been elected as the MP for Mid & South Pembrokeshire.
“I owe an enormous thank you to all those who have supported me, and to voters for putting their trust in me.
“Pembrokeshire has voted for change and now it is time to deliver it.”
Stephen Crabb said: “Congratulations to Henry Tufnell and his team on their victory in Mid & South Pembrokeshire last night. I wish him the very best as he takes on the enormous privilege of representing this County at Westminster.
“A huge thanks to my campaign team who have been at my side throughout this tough campaign. I am incredibly grateful to have had such a fabulous group of Pembrokeshire people working with me over the last 6 weeks.
“It’s been a huge honour to represent my home constituency as Member of Parliament over the last 19 years. Every day has been an enormous privilege.
“Thank you to everyone in Pembrokeshire who has given me encouragement and support along the way.”
Election results:
Henry Tufnell (Labour): 16,505
Stephen Crabb (Conservative): 14,627
Stuart Marchant (Reform): 7,828
Cris Tomos (Plaid Cymru): 2,962
Alistair Cameron (Liberal Democrat): 2,372
James Purchase (Green Party): 1,654
Vusi Siphika (Independent): 427
Hanna Andersen (Women’s Equality Party): 254