Huge shock as Labour attack dog Jonathan Ashworth loses seat

Labour attack dog Jonathan Ashworth has lost his seat in a major blow to the party.

To everyone’s surprise, he was defeated by pro-Gaza independent candidate Shockat Adam by less than 1,000 votes in Leicester South.

Ashworth, first elected in 2011 with a majority of 22,000, was a central figure in Labour’s election campaign, regularly being sent out to condemn Conservative policies.

But he has suffered from backlash over Labour’s stance on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Meanwhile, Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting only beat another pro-Gaza candidate, Leanne Mohamad, by 500 votes in Ilford North.

In a further blow to Keir Starmer, shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire was beaten in Bristol Central by the Greens’ Carla Denyer, who won by more than 10,000 votes.

A Green Party spokesperson said: “The people of Bristol Central have voted for real hope and change, electing the city’s first ever Green MP.

“Bristol Central said it was fed up with the political status quo and had instead chosen the politics of hope.

“Carla will be a strong, independent voice in Parliament, holding the new Labour Government to account and pushing them to think bigger and act bolder. She will play a vital role over the next five years, standing up for the people of Bristol Central and pushing the Labour Party in the right direction.”

The defeats of Ashworth and Debbonaire were a dark spot on an otherwise good night for Labour, which is on course for a landslide victory.

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