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

Massey Ferguson

Massey Ferguson

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

Kioti CX2510H rops tractor

Kioti CX2510H rops tractor

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

2022 Deutz 5090D Keyline

2022 Deutz 5090D Keyline

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

More on Politics

Autumn Budget: highlights importance of farm succession and investment decisions, say AHDB

Autumn Budget: highlights importance of farm succession and investment decisions, say AHDB

Sarah Baker, AHDB head of economics, said: "These changes may encourage farmers to think about succession earlier than they would otherwise. For example, there is a seven-year rule which applies in the case of land transfers. This means that any land gifted to an individual will be free of inheritance tax after seven years."

clock 04 November 2024 • 2 min read
Young farmers fearful of Chancellor's Budget, says NFYFC

Young farmers fearful of Chancellor's Budget, says NFYFC

NFYFC's YFC agri chair Luke Cox said the proposed tax and wage changes 'threaten the continuity and viability of farm farms and rural diversification businesses'

clock 03 November 2024 • 1 min read
APR changes will 'wipe out' Northern Irish farmers succession plans, says Farmers for Action

APR changes will 'wipe out' Northern Irish farmers succession plans, says Farmers for Action

The group has warned the changes could ‘change family farming as we know it’

Alex Black
clock 03 November 2024 • 2 min read