Gavin ShukerVerified account

Thank you. In 2010, when I first stood, very smart people told us Luton South was gone, becoming a Tory seat. Odds of 5-1 on a Labour hold.

Yesterday we won 62% of all votes cast. Near 14k majority. I ran on my record and the promise to get tangible things done for our community.

That means a Brexit deal that keeps easyJet flying and Vauxhall building vans. Fighting the Tory plans to axe 590 teachers. Protect our NHS.

More police. Ease the housing crisis. Regenerate our town and attract new jobs. Move Luton Town to Power Court. Rebuild our train station.

These are your priorities, and they are mine. It's a hung parliament; I’ll never apologise for fighting for a Labour majority government.

Ultimately, that’s the only way things change for the better. If there's one take away from this election: these Tories are beatable.

More provincially, let me say this was the campaign I always wanted to fight. An amazing Labour team, unsung heroes all, and we smashed it.