December 9, 2016 9.16 am This story is over 87 months old

Caroline Johnson holds seat for Conservatives in Sleaford and North Hykeham

Conservative candidate Caroline Johnson has been elected as the new Sleaford and North Hykeham MP. After a by-election on Thursday, December 8, the paediatrician was selected with a reduced majority of more than 13,000, down from over 24,000. The turnout was just 37%. UKIP’s Victoria Ayling finished in second place with Ross Pepper of the…
Caroline Johnson has been elected as the new Sleaford and North Hykeham MP.

Conservative candidate Caroline Johnson has been elected as the new Sleaford and North Hykeham MP.

After a by-election on Thursday, December 8, the paediatrician was selected with a reduced majority of more than 13,000, down from over 24,000.

The turnout was just 37%.

UKIP’s Victoria Ayling finished in second place with Ross Pepper of the Liberal Democrats in third.

Johnson replaces Stephen Phillips, who resigned as an MP because of policy differences with the government over Brexit.

Members of the media were bizarrely refused interviews with the new MP following the announcement of the result, when she was escorted out of the count.

She said in a statement, which was emailed to media on the morning of Friday, December 9: “It is an enormous honour to be elected as the Member of Parliament for Sleaford and North Hykeham – the community where I live with my family and call home.

“I am grateful that people across this constituency have put their faith in me and I will not let them down. I campaigned on a five-point plan to take action on the issues that matter locally, and now I will work to deliver that plan.

“In doing so, I look forward to strengthening the Government’s majority – helping to ensure that we deliver what the people of the UK voted for in the referendum, make a success of Brexit, and build a country that works for everyone.”

Read the full results on Lincolnshire Reporter.