Ludlow General Election result: Philip Dunne maintains grip

The turnout was 73.7%, up on 2015’s 72.4% figure, and Mr Dunne secured 31,433 votes.

His was the largest absolute majority in Ludlow ever and more votes were cast in the constituency than ever before, with 50,115 votes.

And while his re-election was not a surprise, Labour’s second position place had not been forecast.

Julia Buckley, for Labour, defeated popular local Liberal Democrat Councillor Heather Kidd into third place.

Labour had previously finished fourth in 2015, third in 2010 and third in 2005, 2001 and 1997.

Mr Dunne was defending a vast 18,929 majority in the large Ludlow constituency.

He polled 31,433; Labour’s Julia Buckley achieved 12,147; the Liberal Democrat’s Heather Kidd achieved 5,336 and the Green’s Hilary Raborg Wendt achieved 1,054.

Mr Dunne said: “I’m delighted that the people of Ludlow have put their faith in me for the fourth time to represent them in Parliament.

“I have made it very clear that I think we need to encourage economic development in south Shropshire, so that we create jobs.

“Only a strong economy will allow us to continue to provide world class public services.

“We need to press ahead with plans to increase funding for the NHS and for our schools and one of my personal priorities is to make sure we have better broadband connectivity.

“That’s been something that I have been working on for a long time and at last we are making progress.

“We are looking to ensure superfast broadband by 2020.

“Of course, we’ll have to see over the next few days what emerges for the Government.”

Mr Dunne said health remained a key focus of his, as the region’s MP.

“We need to ensure we get some decisions taken in Shropshire, which have been delayed for many years, about ensuring we have sustainable, long-term healthcare provision at the acute level,” he said.

“A review is going on for maternity and we have to have proper care across the county, not just all in one place.

“We need facilities around the county so that it’s convenient for mum’s to have care in community settings.”

Ms Buckley said she was thrilled that Labour had achieved a second placing in Ludlow for the first time in 47 years.

She said the party had gained incredible momentum thanks to a positive campaign and people were eager for change.

Liberal Democrat, Mrs Kidd, added that she would be back.

She said: “Campaigning is a way of life.”

She added that there were many issues on which she intended to campaign, including education, health and social care.

All candidates praised the police and Shropshire Council for their management of the campaign and for keeping people safe.

2017 Results

Philip Dunne (Con) - 31,433

Julia Buckley (Lab) - 12,147

Heather Kidd (Lib) - 5,336

Hilary Wendt (Green) - 1,054

Turnout: 73.45%

Previous results:

2015: PHILIP DUNNE: (CON) - 26,093 David Kelly (Ukip) - 7,164 Charlotte Barnes (Lib Dem) - 6,469 Simon Slater (Lab) - 5,902 Jnet Phillips (Green) - 2,435 CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY - 18,929

2010: PHILIP DUNNE: (CON) - 25,720 Heather Kidd (Lib Dem) - 15,971 Anthony Hunt (Lab) - 3,272 Christopher Gill (Ukip) - 2,127 Christina Evans (BNP) - 1,016 Jacqui Morrish (Green) - 447 Alan Powell (Monster) - 179 CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY - 9,749

2005: PHILIP DUNNE: (CON) - 20,979 Matthew Green (Lib Dem) - 18,952 Nigel Knowles (Lab) - 4,974 Jim Gaffney (Green) - 852 Michael Zuckerman (Ukip) - 783 CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY - 2,027

2001: MATTHEW GREEN (LIB DEM) - 18,620 Martin Taylor-Smith (Con) - 16,990 Nigel Knowles (Lab) - 5,785 Jim Gafney (Green) - 871 Paul Gutteridge (Ukip) - 858 LIB DEM MAJORITY - 1,630