By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

The new Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, Darren Paffey, has described his party's victory in the constituency as "the honour of my life".
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Labour have claimed victory in the Southampton Itchen constituency for the first time in 14 years.

Former city councillor Darren Paffey secured a majority of more than 6,000 votes after receiving the backing of 15,782 residents.

Conservative candidate Sidney Yankson failed to retain the seat for his party, picking up 9,677 votes.

Reform UK’s Alex Culley polled third with 6,853 votes, followed by the Green Party’s Neil Kelly, Liberal Democrats’ James Batho and Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidate Declan Clune.

Turnout in the seat was down by around 10 per cent on the 2019 election, with 56 per cent of the electorate taking part this time around.

New Southampton Itchen MP Darren Paffey delivers his victory speech after winning the seat for Labour from the Conservatives. Pic: LDRS 

In his victory speech, Mr Paffey said it was surreal to be standing on the stage at the Guildhall as MP for Southampton Itchen. The former city council cabinet member described it as “the honour of my life”.

Mr Paffey said: “One of the very frequent conversations I had over recent weeks followed the line of sort of like ‘I have always voted Conservative but there’s no way I am doing that this time’.

“I am very grateful to those that made that choice to vote for me and to vote Labour for the first time and even for those who chose to vote for anyone but me, please know that I am committed to doing my best for Southampton Itchen and I will be doing everything that I can to make sure we all see the change in this city and this country that people tonight have voted for.”

Royston Smith, who decided against standing for re-election, won the constituency as a Conservative candidate in the previous three elections.

Mr Paffey thanked his predecessor and praised him for his term in office.

“We obviously come from very different political traditions, very different views, but what we have in common since the time that we were councillors in this building is a desire to serve and represent the people of Southampton Itchen, which he has done dutifully for nine years.”

Southampton Itchen results in full

James Batho (Lib Dem) 2,684

Declan Clune (TUSC) 264

Alex Culley (Reform) 6,853

Neil Kelly (Green) 2,793

Darren Paffey (Lab) 15,782

Sidney Yankson (Con) 9,677

Majority: 6,105

Turnout: 56%

• 'You've made the daughter of a market trader from our inner city our next MP' - Kaur

• Labour landslide: Wins for party in Southampton