Liberal Democrats take Harrogate and Knaresborough from Conservatives

by Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter

| 05 Jul, 2024

A joyful Tom Gordon turns to his supporters on being announced as MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough in July.

The Liberal Democrats have gained the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency from the Conservatives.

Tom Gordon, the Lib Dem candidate, won the seat with 23,976 votes, which was 48% of the vote.

Conservative candidate and former MP, Andrew Jones, managed 15,738 votes, which was 31%.

Reform UK was third, relegating Labour to fourth.

It is the first time the Lib Dems have held the seat since 2010, when Mr Jones won the first of four elections.

In his victory speech, Mr Gordon said the result showed the party was back.

He said:

This is a historic moment in Harrogate and Knaresborough, the country and for the Liberal Democrats.

We are back.

Mr Gordon declined to speak to the Stray Ferret after the result was declared.

Mr Jones congratulated Mr Gordon on becoming MP and said that the night belonged to Labour nationally.

Jonathan Swales, the Reform UK candidate, was third with 5,679 votes.

Labour’s Conrad Whitcroft won 4,153 votes and Shan Oakes, of the Green Party, had 1,762.

Paul Haslam, Independent, finished sixth with 620 votes and independent candidate, Stephen Metcalfe, received 136 votes.

The turnout was 66.95%.