General Election Leeds: Live updates as all results announced at John Charles Centre for Sport in Middleton

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The polls have now closed and the stage is set, as the election count gets underway in Leeds.

Over the next few hours, the winners of this year's General Election will be announced at the John Charles Centre for Sport in Middleton.

Mark Sewards is elected in Leeds South West and Morley.Mark Sewards is elected in Leeds South West and Morley.
Mark Sewards is elected in Leeds South West and Morley. | Ernesto Rogata

Election officials are gearing up for a long night ahead, with the results of the first constituency not expected until around 3.30am this morning (July 5).

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With 10 seats in Leeds up for grabs - seven of which will be announced here in Middleton - the YEP will be bringing you all of the action from the count.

Follow our live blog below for updates and refresh for the latest news -

Live updates from General Election count in Leeds

Labour veteran Hilary Benn has been re-elected in Leeds South, winning a significant majority.

Hilary Benn has been re-elected in Leeds South.Hilary Benn has been re-elected in Leeds South.
Hilary Benn has been re-elected in Leeds South. | National World

The long-serving MP was first elected in the city back in 1999. He is now likely to step into a Cabinet position, having served as Keir Starmer’s Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland since last year.

It’s a new seat for Mr Benn, who has previously represented Leeds Central – but a boundary shakeup meant that he now moves to the Leeds South constituency.

He won 17,117 votes, which was 11,000 more than his closest rival Green Party candidate Ed Carlisle.

The win was announced at the John Charles Centre for Sport shortly before 4.30am this morning (July 5).

Mr Benn’s father was veteran Labour MP Tony Benn, who served as a cabinet minister in 1960s and 1970s.

YouGov had correctly predicted his comfortable majority in a poll earlier this week. Other candidates in the race included Karen Cooksley, the Conservative Party Candidate, who came in third place with 4,172 votes, and Daniel Whetstone, the Social Democratic Party candidate, in fourth with 1,874 votes.

High-profile Leeds Conservative Andrea Jenkyns toppled

Dame Andrea Jenkyns has been ousted from her parliamentary seat in a result likely to be the biggest election upset in Leeds.

Conservative Andrea Jenkyns.Conservative Andrea Jenkyns.
Conservative Andrea Jenkyns. | Tony Johnson

Mrs Jenkyns, who has been an MP in Morley for the last nine years, gave a speech after the result was announced at the John Charles Centre for Sport at 4am this morning (July 5).

Celebrations erupted as Mark Sewards, a maths teacher and a member of Leeds City Council, was declared the winner.

In a poll this week, YouGov predicted that Mr Sewards would take the seat from the Tories.

Read the full story here -

Rachel Reeves has been triumphant in Leeds West and Pudsey, setting her on course to become the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Rachel Reeves has been triumphant in Leeds West and Pudsey, the first result of the night.Rachel Reeves has been triumphant in Leeds West and Pudsey, the first result of the night.
Rachel Reeves has been triumphant in Leeds West and Pudsey, the first result of the night. | National World

Mrs Reeves, a former economist at the Bank of England, has been the MP for Leeds West since 2010, rising to the role of Shadow Chancellor four years ago.

A key member of Keir Starmer’s team, her win was announced to applause in the John Charles Centre for Sport at 2am this morning (July 5).

She left the building quickly after the result was announced and did not take any questions.

Read her speech here -

Final result: Newly elected Labour MP Katie White wins Leeds North West

Labour candidate Katie White has seized victory in the Leeds North West seat, beating her Conservative rival.

Ms White, who was born and raised in Adel, emerged triumphant with 22,882 votes this morning (July 5), compared to the Tory candidate’s 10,986.

She will become the newest MP in the city, having not held a seat in Leeds previously.

Her win was announced at around 5.15am at the John Charles Centre for Sport this morning.

Ms White’s success was predicted earlier this week in a YouGov poll. Tory candidate Thomas Averre came in second place with 10,986 votes, while Jayne Bond of Reform UK was in third with 5,935 votes.

Labour MP Fabian Hamilton re-elected with landslide majority

Veteran MP Fabian Hamilton has won a resounding victory in Leeds North East, the seat he has represented since 1997.

Fabian HamiltonFabian Hamilton
Fabian Hamilton | National World

The Labour politician secured 23,260 votes, beating closest rival Chris Whiteside, of the Conservative Party, who received 7,177 votes.

His win was one of the expected results of the day and followed a YouGov poll that predicted a comfortable majority for Labour.

In third place was Louis Jennings, of the Green Party, with 5,911 votes, while Kieran White of Reform UK came fourth with 3,426 votes.

Richard Burgon re-elected with considerable majority

Labour’s Richard Burgon has been re-elected in Leeds East with a solid majority.

Labour's Richard Burgon has been re-elected in Leeds East.Labour's Richard Burgon has been re-elected in Leeds East.
Labour's Richard Burgon has been re-elected in Leeds East. | National World

Mr Burgon, who has held the seat since 2015, secured the win with 18,610 votes, beating the Reform UK candidate David Dresser who was in second place with 7,345 votes.

Mr Burgon gave a speech at the John Charles Centre for Sport after the result was announced at 4.50am this morning (July 5).

Read the full story here -

Alex Sobel re-elected with landslide majority

Labour MP Alex Sobel has stormed to victory with a comfortable majority over his rivals.

Alex SobelAlex Sobel
Alex Sobel | Steve Riding

Mr Sobel, who has been an MP in the city since 2017, was re-elected in Leeds Central and Headingley. Previously, he has held the Leeds North West seat.

He won in the new constituency with 15,853 votes, which was more than 8,000 more than his closest rival Chris Foren, of the Green Party candidate, who had 7,431 votes.

Read the full story here -

Rachel Reeves promises to "speak for whole constituency"

In her speech after being re-elected, Rachel Reeves promises voters that she will “speak for the whole constituency”.

She told the people of Leeds West and Pudsey that she would “fight for you every day to deliver change”.

Watch the moment she was elected and her full speech here -

Fabian Hamilton promises he will fight for extension at Leeds hospital

Veteran MP Fabian Hamilton says he is “optimistic” after the exit poll showed a landslide majority for the Labour Party.

Fabian Hamilton promises a fight for an extension at Chapel Allerton Hospital as he arrives at the election count.Fabian Hamilton promises a fight for an extension at Chapel Allerton Hospital as he arrives at the election count.
Fabian Hamilton promises a fight for an extension at Chapel Allerton Hospital as he arrives at the election count. | National World

However, he said that he is “careful not to be complacent” and that “assuming things” is the “road to disaster”.

This is Mr Hamilton’s ninth election and he will be the longest serving Leeds MP if elected again tonight.

He also promised a fight for an extension at Chapel Allerton Hospital, saying: “I’m hoping that Labour could restore that, because the patients in my constituency desperately need that hospital.”

Watch the full interview below:

Social Democratic Party stands candidates in every Leeds constituency

The Social Democratic Party had success at the Leeds City Council elections in May, when they secured a third candidate on the authority.

Coun Wayne Dixon and party leader Daniel Whetstone told the YEP that the party is standing candidates in every constituency in Leeds, with 23 candidates across Yorkshire - but that the First Past The Post system can hinder smaller parties.

We spoke to them at the count earlier tonight -

Labour veteran Hilary Benn gives brief comment as he arrives at count

Labour veteran MP Hilary Benn has arrived at the election count at the John Charles Centre for Sport in Middleton.

Labour MP Hilary Benn arrives at the count.Labour MP Hilary Benn arrives at the count.
Labour MP Hilary Benn arrives at the count. | National World

The long-serving MP was first elected in the city back in 1999. If a YouGov poll is correct, he will win his constituency tonight with a comfortable majority. Mr Benn gave a brief comment to the YEP as he arrived at the count. Watch the video below -

Tracy Brabin supports Rachel Reeves

The Labour Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin has arrived at the count.

Tracy Brabin arrives at countTracy Brabin arrives at count
Tracy Brabin arrives at count | National World

She told the YEP that she is here supporting Rachel Reeves and will not give any comment until later.

2,400 members of staff involved in organising count

Tom Riordan speaks to the YEP about the huge operation in organising the count -

Rachel Reeves arrives at the count - and result expected shortly

Rachel Reeves has arrived at the election count at the John Charles Centre for Sport in Middleton.

Rachel Reeves arrives at election count.Rachel Reeves arrives at election count.
Rachel Reeves arrives at election count. | National World

If she is elected in the Leeds West and Pudsey, she is more than likely to become the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mrs Reeves, a former economist at the Bank of England, has been the MP for Leeds West since 2010, rising to the role of Shadow Chancellor four years ago.

There was a huge cheer when she entered the room at around 12.30am.

Her result is now expected at 1.15am.

Tom Riordan describes the "huge logistical exercise" in organising the election count

Tom Riordan, the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, is the Returning Officer for the election in Leeds, which means he is responsible for overseeing elections for constituencies in the city.

Tom Riordan explains the "huge logistical exercise" in organising the count.Tom Riordan explains the "huge logistical exercise" in organising the count.
Tom Riordan explains the "huge logistical exercise" in organising the count. | National World

He described the "huge logistical exercise" involved in organising the count at the John Charles Centre for Sport.

Mr Riordan, who is standing down at the end of the year, said that 2,400 staff members have helped to organise the count - but that the central team involved is just 13-strong.

Live from the election count

YEP reporter James Connolly is live from the election count, with all the details you need to know ahead of the first result:

The count continues

Ballots are continuing to arrive as votes are counted at pace. The first result is inching closer.

Ballots are continuing to arrive as votes are counted at pace. The first result is inching closer.Ballots are continuing to arrive as votes are counted at pace. The first result is inching closer.
Ballots are continuing to arrive as votes are counted at pace. The first result is inching closer. | Ernesto Rogata

Labour MP Richard Burgon arrives

Labour MP Richard Burgon arrives at the countLabour MP Richard Burgon arrives at the count
Labour MP Richard Burgon arrives at the count | National World

Labour MP Richard Burgon has arrived at the John Charles Centre for Sport as the count continues.

He is standing for re-election in Leeds East and, if a recent YouGov poll is correct, he’s set to win it with a solid majority.

Mr Burgon has held the seat since 2015.

He said he would not give any comment until after the result has been announced.

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