Labour’s candidate, Alex Just, thanks voters

My congratulations go to our new MP Greg Stafford and the other candidates in our inaugural Farnham and Bordon election. It was a short and frenetic campaign, but hugely rewarding for me as I listened to hundreds of you express your hope for a better future.

I want to thank the many thousands of you who voted for me and Labour’s programme of national renewal, and a fairer, more inclusive, greener, and more prosperous society.

I hope you share my excitement at the historic mandate for change which Labour secured and the fact Keir Starmer’s first speech as Prime Minister made clear that we will have a return of politics to public service.

Over 200 local volunteers stepped up to support our grassroots campaign. This was humbling and energising, allowing us to reach parts of the constituency where no politician or party had knocked on doors for decades. I am so proud that our team effort achieved the best Labour result here in a general election since 1979.

Against the odds, facing the power of anti-Conservative tactical voting websites, we more than doubled our share of the vote and secured three times the national swing to Labour. We were praised for our honest and clean campaign and the quality of the debate and progressive messages we broadcast.

It should not be forgotten that the over 21,000 people did not vote at all.

The country has been let down, in part by complacency and infighting within the established political parties, but mostly by the fiscally illiterate policies of austerity and public service cuts, and by divisive policies, dog-whistle politics, and negativity.

Regardless of our political colours, we must urgently address this democratic deficit and keep our promises made during the election. A great start has been made with talented people appointed to senior government positions from within Labour and from outside.

Even if you don’t agree with it all, the success of our country will be directly linked to how we all engage with the forthcoming decade of renewal that will be needed to turn things around.

There is a real movement for change in this area and, whatever your politics, we face the same headwinds. I have heard you. Please continue to speak up, get involved, and together we will get Farnham and Bordon back on track.