Latest Election 2010 News • Newbury • Reading East • Reading West • Wokingham • Live updates
Published: Friday, 7th May, 2010 6:17am
Tories celebrate Reading West win
by Adam Hewitt
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Alok Sharma and his wife
THE Tories have regained Reading West after 13 years of Labour control.
Victorious Alok Sharma cruised to victory with 20,523, ahead of Labour's Naz Sarkar on 14,519.
He said: "I want to thank all of those who voted for me tonight. I am humbled by the trust you put in me and it will be a great honour to serve you."
He said former MP Martin Salter had been a dedicated public servant for the constituency and that he hoped to continue his good work.
Mr Sarkar said: "I want to pay tribute to Alok, he fought a very good campaign. I would like to pay tribute to Martin Salter, he has worked very hard over the last 12 years. I'd also like to pay tribute to my very vocal team who have been phenomenal. You might think five or six thousand votes is quite cosy, but we'll be back!"
In her speech, Lib Dem Daisy Benson, who came third with 9,546 votes criticised the Labour campaign and spoke of her hope for cleaner, fairer politics in the future. She said she was pleased to have increased her party's share of the vote, especially since she has only been a candidate for four months.
Returning officer John Painter confirmed the turnout in Reading West was 66.03%, up from 62% at the 2005 General Election, and that 89 ballots were spoiled.
Alok Sharma (Con) - 20,523; Naz Sarkar (Lab) - 14,519; Daisy Benson (Lib) - 9,546 ; Bruce Hay (UKIP) - 1,508; Howard Thomas (Common Sense) - 852; Adrian Windisch (Green) - 582.
