Labour holds on to Erdington seat

Labour candidate Paulette Hamilton has won the Erdington by-election, which followed the sudden death of Labour MP Jack Dromey in January.

The party increased its vote share from 50.3 per cent in 2019.

Ms Hamilton (pictured), who becomes Birmingham 's first black MP, won with a majority of 3,266 but there was a turnout of just 27 per cent from an electorate of 62,996. She picked up 9,413 votes, ahead of Tory candidate Robert Alden with 6,147.

In her victory speech, Ms Hamilton, who revealed her father died just as her campaign started, said: "I am absolutely delighted - exhausted but delighted.

"I know it's a lot of work that often goes unmentioned, so thank you for your endless professionalism and commitment to the democratic process.

"Something I think we all treasure even more following the events in Europe.

"I never thought I'd be running to be an MP, but the fact that I am now not only the MP for Erdington but the first black woman - the first woman to ever get the position - I am delighted and I am still pinching myself."

The by-election was held following the death of veteran MP Jack Dromey, 73, in January, who had held the seat since 2010.

Robert Alden, Conservative leader at the city council, had been vying to become the first Tory MP for the constituency since 1936. He won 6,147, or 36 per cent of votes, giving Ms Hamilton a majority of 3,266.

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: "We congratulate Paulette on her historic and long overdue achievement.

"As a Chamber, we worked closely with her predecessor Jack and we look forward to building on that partnership work.

"I'm sure a number of businesses in Erdington are feeling the pinch in terms rising energy bills, inflation and a raft of cost pressures - we look forward to working with Paulette and her colleagues to raise awareness and tackle these serious issues."