LABOUR has won the Rugby constituency from the Conservatives.
John Slinger has become the town’s new MP amid a landslide Labour victory in the General Election.
He won the seat with a majority of 4,428 – overturning the 13,447 majority won in 2019 by Mark Pawsey, who stood down at this election.
Rugby is now a Labour constituency for the first time since 2005, when Jeremy Wright took the seat from Andy King. Mr Pawsey held the seat from 2010.
Mr Slinger said: “At the core of our democracy are people of all backgrounds and all parties stepping up to the plate to speak up for what they believe in. We must all do what we can to both encourage people to get involved in politics and for politicians to be able to go about their democratic role unhindered.”
He thanked voters for putting their trust in him and the Labour Party.
“There will be many people who have voted for Labour for the first time at this election. I want to thank you and reassure you that I will do everything I can to deliver the change that people have voted for and so need and deserve.
“From being selected I campaigned on the basis that ‘together we can’. I said that together we can win this seat for Labour. And together we did. ‘Together we can’ is my mantra for how I will represent this amazing constituency.
“I offer to work with every person, business, organisation, community or faith group who shares my belief in the immense potential of this town of Rugby, and of Bulkington and the villages.”
He said his party in government would fight for ‘economic security, cheaper bills, safer streets, the NHS back on its feet, secure borders and better opportunities for our children’.
He added: “I believe that politicians and politics should serve the public. On a night like tonight, I also would like to remember and pay tribute to my political hero Ann Clwyd who showed me what an MP can achieve for their constituents and wider society.
“It’s time to end the chaos and dysfunction in Westminster and start to rebuild our country together.
“I will be accessible, collaborative and committed to doing all I can to help people no matter their background.
“I will get on with the job that you have sent me to Westminster to do.”
Mr Slinger has lived in Rugby for 17 years. He was previously a governor of Northlands Primary School and a trustee of Warwickshire Young Carers. He is married to a teacher and together they have three children.
The Rugby election result in full
- John Slinger (Labour) – 19,533
- Yousef Dahmash (Conservative) – 15,105
- Devenne Kedward (Reform UK) – 8,225
- Richard Dickson (Liberal Democrats) – 3,252
- Becca Stevenson (Green Party) – 2,556
- Mark Townsend (Independent) – 215
- Anand Swayamprakasam (Independent) – 118
