Residents of Hartlepool were quick to give their views after hearing of Jill Mortimer s historic by-election win on Friday.
The Conservative candidate stormed to victory with a majority of 6,940 votes, ending Labour s 57-year hold on the County Durham town.
Mrs Mortimer was declared the winner just after 7am after receiving 15,529 votes, with Labour s Paul Williams finishing second on 8,589 votes and independent challenger Samantha Lee coming third with 2,904 votes.
Reacting to the news, one local said Labour would have to climb to the moon and back to recoup what has been lost while others spoke of disillusionment with the party.
Another praised Prime Minister Boris Johnson for visiting during the campaign, saying the trips showed he cares .
National
Man avoids jail term for stealing over €15,000 in social welfare payments using his brother s name
Reporter:
);
A “chronic gambler” who stole over €15,000 in social welfare payments while using his brother s name has received a fully suspended sentence.
Bernard Norton (49) simultaneously claimed Jobseekers Allowance validly in his own name and falsely in his brother s name over a two year period.
He has previously been convicted for stealing over €200,000 from his employer between 2001 and 2002 and for stealing approximately €35,000 from another employer in 2016.
Norton of Newrath View, Kells, Co Meath pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court six sample counts of theft at Killinard Post Office, Tallaght, Dublin, on dates between November 25, 2013 and June 30, 2015.