Drama, delight and 'deplorable' Douglas in Walsall

Arguments broke out between candidates, there were scenes of jubilation and new faces enjoyed their first taste of success.

Long-serving David Winnick was re-elected again for Labour in Walsall North – but lashed out at Tory rival Douglas Hansen-Luke for his campaign tactics.

Fellow red Valerie Vaz was re-elected for Walsall South, while newcomer Wendy Morton ensured Aldridge Brownhills remained in the hands of the Tories after the stepping down of Sir Richard Shepherd.

The results came in just before 5am yesterday at the Walsall campus of Wolverhampton University, where Mr Winnick took to the stage to blast Mr Hansen-Luke.

"I deplore – deplore! – the way the Conservative candidate, my opponent, has conducted his campaign. I don't like saying it but it should be said," he proclaimed.

"He should be thoroughly ashamed of the sort of stuff he has put on social media and I say to him, by such conduct, one wonders whether he should be in the House of Commons at all."

Mr Winnick was referencing tweets made by Mr Hansen-Luke accusing him of being a no-show in the constituency. One of which saw Mr Winnick's head superimposed on the body of Where's Wally and labelled 'Where's Winnick?'.

Mr Hansen-Luke told the Express & Star afterwards: "He ought to have a better sense of humour. I was just playing on the Where's Wally cartoon character. It shows he's out of touch. He should be used to the rough knockabout humour of the House of Commons.

"Really he's missed the point. Walsall's got great potential and he should have recognised that in his speech rather than blaming others."

On a brighter note, Mr Winnick said: "I am very pleased, of course I am honoured, to continue to serve as an MP.

"I have never taken the constituency for granted for one minute, I will serve as best I can in the House of Commons and help constituents at the same time.

"I want to be as active as I always have been."

In Aldridge Brownhills, Yorkshire farmer's daughter Mrs Morton took 20,558 votes – a Conservative majority of 11,723. She takes the reins from Sir Richard, who has retired after 36 years in Westminster.

She was up against Labour's John Fisher, Mark Beech of the Monster Raving Loony Party, Martyn Curzey of the Green Party, Liberal Democrats Ian Garrett and Anthony Thompson of UKIP.

She said: "It is a mixture of feelings, it is very humbling to be following someone like Richard Shepherd. It has been an amazing few months since being selected to this evening.

"I will work hard and always endeavour to do my best.

"I think every MP brings something different. I come from business background but I also come from an ordinary family background, where hard work was rewarded.

"As a believer of hard work and straight talking, I will stand up for Aldridge Brownhills and fight for the issues that matter.

"To deliver the services we all value, and the environment we all enjoy, we need a strong economy, strong education and strong communities."

Sir Richard attended the count and said it was unusual this time around not to be finding out his own fate.

He said: "I will miss it. My time with Aldridge Brownhills has been truly wonderful."

Mrs Morton received the full and unreserved backing of stalwart Conservative candidate Gary Clarke. He said: "We have been out with her in all the wards.

"Considering she is new everybody seemed to know who she is. She is pro-people, she is absolutely fantastic."

Ms Vaz, meanwhile, overcame her nearest Tory rival with a majority of 6,007.

She said: "It is a tribute to the work that we have done both in parliament and in the constituency on behalf of the constituents.

"I am going to continue to take up their cases.

"I will raise them both at the local level and nationally."

On a national level, the Tories took an unexpected majority, winning 331 seats.