Ex-Olympic gold medallist boxer Luke Campbell has emerged victorious in Hull & East Yorkshire’s mayoral contest, handing Reform UK yet another seismic win after Dame Andrea Jenkyns topped Lincolnshire's poll on the other side of the Humber.
Campbell, 37, who joins a star-studded list of Reform UK candidates, won Nigel Farage’s second mayoral win after a tough fought campaign against Labour, the Tories and Liberal Democrats.
The local lad received 48,491 votes in East Yorkshire, putting him 10,981 ballots ahead of Liberal Democrat Mike Ross in second.
Tory Anne Handley ensured the contest was close to being a three-way split, receiving 21,393 votes.
Luke Campbell alongside Nigel Farage
PA
Despite Humberside's only city being the former hunting ground of ex-Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, Labour's Margaret Pinder only received 18,568 votes in Hull & East Riding.
Just moments after Campbell's victory, the 37-year-old said: "The reason I stood for this role was simple; to put people first in this region.
"That commitment starts now. I promise I will not let you down."
Campbell added: "The people of Hull & East Yorkshire have spoken and now it's time to deliver."
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Great Britain's Luke Campbell with his Men's Boxing Bantam 56kg gold medal at the ExCeL Centre, London
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Hull & East Yorkshire, which was hosting its maiden mayoral election contest yesterday, is considered a staunchly Labour-leaning part of the Red Wall.
Despite both the Brexit Party and the Tories failing just short of puncturing Labour’s stronghold in 2019, the Liberal Democrats managed to break the mould by snatching the Humberside city’s council in 2022.
However, Campbell’s victory comes just hours after Reform snatched Greater Lincolnshire.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also had a lot to smile about in the North West after Sarah Pochin defeated Karen Shore to secure the populist party’s fifth MP.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage with the party's mayoral candidate for Hull, Luke Campbell MBE
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Farage predicted Campbell would romp to victory in Hull & East Yorkshire ahead of polls opening yesterday.
Speaking shortly before the declaration, Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice also said: “I think - everything I am hearing and seeing - I’m confident that the brilliant Luke Campbell is going to win here this afternoon.
“He’ll be a fantastic advocate for Hull & East Yorkshire. It’s been an extraordinary and successful night for Reform UK.
Hundreds of wards remain up for grabs across local authorities ahead of tonight’s scheduled 7pm declaration deadline.
However, Reform UK is eating into both Labour and Tory wards, soaring past 500 seats at around 4pm.
