'I'll make a pest of myself': How Greater Manchester's new MPs reacted to winning their seats

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The sun is shining on a new era in Greater Manchester today, after Labour swept to power across the UK for the first time since 2010.

The new era began in gymnasiums, convention centres, and town halls in the early hours of Friday (July 5). As counting culminated at 6am this morning, it was confirmed that the Conservatives had been wiped out in Greater Manchester.

The beneficiaries of this Tory collapse in Greater Manchester have been Labour and the Liberal Democrats. Of the city-region’s 27 constituencies, last night Labour won 25 and the Lib Dems won two. READ MORE: General election 2024 results LIVE: Victorious Keir Starmer to announce new cabinet as Angela Rayner arrives at Downing Street As each result was declared, winning candidates took the the declaration stage in those gymnasiums, convention centres, and town halls to thank their volunteers, election agents, and families for their win.

And they also took to social media to pay their thanks. Lisa Smart, the new Lib Dem for Hazel Grove, posted a video said she will be a ‘pest’ for her corner of Stockport. “I’m not afraid to make a pest of myself standing up for what this community needs,” she joked on camera. “After a kip, I look forward to getting cracking.” Rebecca Long-Bailey, unable to attend the count for her seat of Salford because she has Covid-19, said ‘it is the greatest privilege on earth to serve the people of this great city’ in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. “I promise to continue to give everything I have to be a voice for the voiceless and I will do everything I can to deliver the change you have voted for,” she added.