December 13, 2019 4.24 pm This story is over 52 months old

Local Democracy Weekly: Labour left licking its wounds in Lincolnshire

The party lost the seat to the Tories
Labour's Karen Lee lost her seat to the Conservatives at General Election 2019.

Karen Lee’s reaction in the early hours of Friday morning painted a picture that could be replicated for Labour candidates across the country as the Conservatives swept to victory.

The party was hoping to keep its grip on Lincoln, a key marginal seat for any political colour.

But, it wasn’t to be, as Karl McCartney regained the seat he lost in 2017 with a 3,514 majority – the first time the margin has been above 1,600 votes in 14 years.

Labour is now left licking its wounds in Lincoln, but also across the country.

Jeremy Corbyn announced on Friday morning that he will not lead the party into the next election after recording Labour’s worst result since 1935.

The Tories broke through Labour’s “red wall” in the East Midlands, which has been the bedrock for the party.

Labour’s Karen Lee arrives at the count held at Yarborough Leisure Centre.

As the exit poll came in and predicted a dismal night for Mr Corbyn, local councillors wearing red rosettes clung to hope that the prediction would not be as bad as it seemed.

But, Ms Lee was frank about the party’s performance and said it was “undoubtedly a bad night” for Labour.

She paid tribute to her team who “led a wonderful campaign”, but would not be drawn on the future of her party leader.

ALSO READ: Karl McCartney proud as Conservatives regain Lincoln

Labour is now left without a single seat across Lincolnshire.

For the Conservatives, the party can rejoice after winning back Lincoln, but also recording a clean sweep across the county.

Conservative’s Karl McCartney was elected MP for Lincoln at General Election 2019.

The Tories now hold Scunthorpe, which local councillor Holly Mumby-Croft gained from Labour, and Great Grimsby which has been red for 74 years.

Conservative county councillor Richard Davies said the local party had focused on regaining Lincoln and put resources into making sure that was the case.

And the Tories’ campaign is there for all to see with numerous senior cabinet ministers making a trip to the city, such as Andrea Leadsom and Michael Gove.

Mr McCartney said he was “relieved” after a nervous night at Yarborough Leisure Centre.

He added that he wanted to replicate what he did as MP last time around when the voters of Lincoln put faith in him.

Whether or not that will be the case will be for the city to decide in five years time.

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