Sir Mark Spencer loses seat at General Election

He had served as Farming Minister since September 2022 when he was appointed by then Prime Minister Liz Truss

clock • 2 min read
As results starting to come through in the early hours of the morning, the former Farming Minister had only managed to gain 13,398 votes compared to Labour's Michelle Welsh, who won 18,841 seats.
Image:

As results starting to come through in the early hours of the morning, the former Farming Minister had only managed to gain 13,398 votes compared to Labour's Michelle Welsh, who won 18,841 seats.

Sir Mark Spencer has lost his Sherwood Forest seat at the General Election.

As results starting to come through in the early hours of the morning, the former Farming Minister had only managed to gain 13,398 votes compared to Labour's Michelle Welsh, who won 18,841 seats.

With a family farming background, Sir Mark had held the seat since 2010 - winning four consecutive elections in the process.

READ NOW: EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak - "We're sticking to our plan to back Britain's farmers"

However, he gained 18,651 fewer votes that what he had gained during the 2019 election

The former Royal Agricultural Society of England trustee had only gained 2,078 votes more than the Reform UK candidate. 

He said: "I would first of all like to thank all of you who voted for me, and those who have supported me for the 14 years as your MP. Having the chance to represent the place I call home was very special l, and something I will remember forever.

"Congratulations to Michelle, it is a privilege and a honour representing this community and I wish her the best of luck."

Speaking after her victory against the former National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs chair, Ms Welsh said: "I am so humbled, honoured and privileged to be elected as your Labour MP for Sherwood Forest.

"Together, we campaigned for change and overturned a massive majority of over 16,000.

"Thank you so much to each and every single person who put their faith in me.

"I will honour the trust you have given me and I will work tirelessly to earn that trust from all of you."

The Sherwood Forest results:

Michelle Welsh (Lab) - 18,841

Sir Mark Spencer (Con) – 13,398

Helen O'Hare (Reform) – 11,320

Sheila Greatrex-White (Green) – 2,216

David Dobbie (Lib Dem) – 1,838

Lee Waters (Ind) – 864

READ NOW: From the Prime Minister to the Farming Minister: Rural seats to watch in the General Election

TRACTORS UK SOLE UK IMPORTER OF TAFE TRACTORS

TRACTORS UK SOLE UK IMPORTER OF TAFE TRACTORS

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

2015 JOHN DEERE 6125R

2015 JOHN DEERE 6125R

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

2012 JOHN DEERE 6210R

2012 JOHN DEERE 6210R

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

More on Politics

Seven projects awarded more than £300,000 to boost resilience and innovation in Scottish farming and crofting

Seven projects awarded more than £300,000 to boost resilience and innovation in Scottish farming and crofting

"Every crofter has different strengths and areas of expertise, and it is expected that all participants will have knowledge to share, leading to skills development across the whole community"

clock 05 October 2024 • 4 min read
Why did farmers turn their backs on the Conservatives at the General Election?

Why did farmers turn their backs on the Conservatives at the General Election?

"Politics has not worked for farmers in a very long time"

clock 04 October 2024 • 6 min read
From the editor: "Simplifying the system and reducing the burden of bureaucracy are key if Red Tractor wants to win back confidence and members"

From the editor: "Simplifying the system and reducing the burden of bureaucracy are key if Red Tractor wants to win back confidence and members"

This week from Farmers Guardian editor Olivia Midgley

clock 03 October 2024 • 2 min read