Former Coronation Street actress Tracy Brabin wins by-election triggered by the murder of MP Jo Cox

 

Former Coronation Street actress Tracy Brabin has been elected MP for Batley and Spen, holding the seat for Labour in the by-election triggered by the killing of Jo Cox. 

Ms Brabin said her victory, achieved with 85.8 per cent of the vote, in Batley and Spen was 'bittersweet', adding that she hoped Mrs Cox would be proud that the community had spoken with one voice. 

Ms Brabin, who played Tricia Armstrong in the ITV soap between 1994 and 1997, received 17,506 votes although turnout in the Yorkshire constituency was just 26 per cent - one of the lowest by-election turnouts since the Second World War.

Ms Brabin was named Mrs Cox's successor after all other main parties decided not to run against Mrs Cox in a mark of respect. 

In her acceptance speech, Ms Brabin - who took almost 86 per cent of the vote - said her win was a victory for 'hope and unity'.

'This has been a difficult experience for all of us and tonight is a bittersweet occasion for me. That this by-election has had to take place at all is a tragedy, she said.

'I hope Jo will be proud tonight of our community. We have shown that we stand together with one voice choosing unity and hope.'

Mrs Cox's widower Brendan took to Twitter to congratulate Ms Brabin on her by-election win

 

Mr Cox also tweeted a picture of him and his wife at the 2015 general election count