We are live this evening for the results of the West Lancashire Parliamentary by-election.
Our team is stationed at the Burscough Racquet Club tonight for all the action as the votes are counted in this crunch by-election that could tell us a good deal about how things are looking ahead of the next General Election.
The seat, which covers places like Skelmersdale, Ormskirk and Burscough, has been left vacant since veteran Labour MP Rosie Cooper announced her decision to step down from Parliament. Labour held the seat at the 2019 General Election with more than 8,000 votes.
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Hoping to retain the seat for Labour when tonight's results are announced is Ashley Dalton. She is up against fellow candidates Jo Barton (Liberal Democrat); Peter Cranie (Green Party); Howling Laud Hope (Official Monster Raving Loony Party); Mike Prendergast (Conservative and Unionist); and Jonathan Stanley Kay (Reform UK).
Polls have been open across the constituency since 7am this morning and will close at 10pm.
Tonight's election is the first time voters have had a chance to go to the polls since Rishi Sunak took over as Prime Minister from Liz Truss. Mr Sunak's Tories are trailing Labour heavily in national polls.
We will keep you updated with all the updates and results on a crucial night in West Lancashire.
Key Events
Liam Thorp
Record bad night for Conservatives
I make that a 62.3% vote share for Labour and just 25.4% for the Tories – if that's right it is the Conservatives' worst ever showing in the West Lancs seat
Liam Thorp
LABOUR WIN WEST LANCASHIRE BY-ELECTION
Labour have cruised to victory, here are the results
Labour – 14,068
Conservatives – 5742
Green – 646
Reform – 994
Liberal Democrat – 918
Monster Raving Looney Party – 210
Liam Thorp
Moments away from a result
We've just been told to expect a result in the next five minutes.
The candidates are ready
Dan Haygarth
Thoughts from the Green Party
Dan Haygarth
Result expected within the hour
We could be looking at 2am.
Dan Haygarth
Thoughts from the Tory candidate
Dan Haygarth
Labour's Ashley Dalton has arrived
Liam Thorp
A broadcasting legend in the house
Sky News' chief political correspondent Jon Craig is keeping an eye on things at the count tonight
Liam Thorp
Monster Raving Loony Party in the house
The best dressed of the night award goes to…
KEY EVENT
Turnout
So we've had the turnout figures for today's vote – a little lower than we thought it might be.
The turnout is 31.36% – which represents 22,639 votes cast across the constituency.
Liam Thorp
What happened last time?
In the 2019 general election, Labour’s Rosie Cooper won the West Lancashire seat with over 27,000 votes and 52 per cent of the votes cast. The Tories came second with 19,000 votes.
How will things shape up this time around?
Liam Thorp
Mood in the room
As you can see from our live video there, there is a lot of Labour optimism in the room tonight.
Many here think it is more a matter of how much Labour win by rather than whether they will win or not.
They will be hoping to significantly improve on the vote share they achieved in 2019 to put down a marker.
Dan Haygarth
Watch our Facebook Live from the count
Liam Thorp
Snacks at the ready!
Our reporter Dan is ready for the night ahead
Liam Thorp
Counting well underway
Liam Thorp
First test for Rishi Sunak
This is the first electoral test for Rishi Sunak since he became Prime Minister in November.
The polling suggests it could be a tough one!
Liam Thorp
Lots of ballot boxes arriving
Polls closed at 10pm tonight and already lots of ballot boxes have arrived at the Racquet club with verification underway.
Dan Haygarth
Bruising night expected for the Tories
Dan Haygarth
Big night in West Lancashire
We are now here at the Burscough Racquet & Fitness Centre for the by-election count. Stay with us through the night for updates.