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uk Herald, Thursday, May 13, 2010 (H) 3

NEWS

VOTE 2010
ELECTION 2010
Robert Halfon (Con) Bill Rammell (Lab) David White (Lib) Eddy Butler (BNP) John Croft (UKIP) Oluyemi Adeeko (Chr) Turnout
The result was announced by acting returning officer Malcolm Morley shortly before 3.30am at the Harlow Sportcentre. The total number of ballot papers collected was 44,027, with the number of verified papers being 44,020. Of these, 149 ballot papers were rejected (122 unmarked or void for uncertainty, 27 voted for more than one candidate). The total number of eligible electors is 67,583.

ELECTION: Victory at last for Conservative Halfon

By NATALIE DEARMAN
natalie.dearman@archant.co.uk THE Conservatives were celebrating in the early hours of Friday morning after Rob Halfon was elected as Harlows MP at the third time of asking.
Mr Halfon easily overturned the slender majority of 97 held by Labours Bill Rammell by coming out 4925 votes ahead with a total of 19,691. Mr Rammell polled 14,766 a 5.9 per cent swing to the Conservatives. After the result was declared, at 3.16am at the count at the Harlow Sportcentre, Mr Halfon expressed his delight at having finally won the Harlow parliamentary seat after a 10-year fight. I have been told I had two minutes, but given that it has taken 10 years to get here, I hope they give me a little bit of leeway, he said. After the election events of five years ago, Bill Rammell said I would not have wished the last few days on my worst enemy, and Robert is not my enemy. I would like to pay the same tribute to Bill Rammell, he is not my enemy my disagreement with him is over politics. I pay tribute to his many years of public service he has given to Harlow and to the country and I wish him and his family well. He said: These last 10 years have been very tough, but Im obviously delighted to have earned the trust of the people of Harlow. I have got a lot of work to do to show that I have earned that trust and I will work very hard. As to the reasons behind the success, Mr Halfon added: I think it was because this was my third time as a candidate and I havent just been here at election times, I have been campaigning week in, week out in the community and I think people recognise that. Mr Rammell, who was clearly upset by the defeat, told a packed Sportcentre: I would like to genuinely congratulate Robert on his success, he has worked

19,691 14,766 5990 1739 1591 101 65.13%

Conservative Robert Halfon (left) delivers his victory speech at Harlow Sportcentre watched by Labours Bill Rammell MEB_060510_Election extraordinarily hard, he has endured two general election defeats and I wish him every success with the immense privilege of being a Member of Parliament for Harlow. Although I respect the verdict of the people, but I do regret the loss of our Labour Government, which I think has been a good government. We leave this community and we leave this country in Bill Rammell a much better shape than when we inherited it. Our schools, our hospitals and our police demonstrate a time of rebuilding public services. I would like to thank the people of Harlow. It has been the absolute privilege of my working life to be the representative of Harlow and it has been an honour to represent this community. Speaking afterwards to the media he added: Im very disappointed. I only won the seat narrowly last time, but yes I am bitterly disappointed. There are a range of factors which have lead to this; people will look for change when you have been in for three terms. WHAT do you think? E-mail us at Bill Rammell watched Labour lose its grip on power MEB_060510_Election heraldnews@archant.co.uk

It has been an honour to represent this community

What the others said...

LIB Dem candidate David White (right) said: I want to pay tribute to Bill and Robert who both fought excellent campaigns which have really enriched Harlow over the last few weeks. More young people have voted than ever before in Harlow and new people have come to the polls who havent voted before. The Liberal Democrats obviously havent won here today, but were all local people, we live in Harlow so next week and next month we will be back working to make Harlow a better place. I hope we can all make Harlow better in the future. UKIPs John Croft was also

gracious in defeat and said: I would like to thank all the people of Harlow who voted. Its very sad that Bill has lost his seat, I know what it feels like. I wish Robert all the best of luck in the world, but I want him to have a word in David Camerons ear and ask him when hes going to take this country out of this madness called the EU.

What next for Bill Rammell?

AS R M NE ST LAN NOW RI P CH TY OUT R PA 2010

FRIDAY 4th JUNE DIRTY DANCING TRIBUTE FRIDAY 18th JUNE ABBA TRIBUTE

Includes 3-course Dinner and Disco - 29.50pp

Includes 3-course Dinner and Disco - 29.50pp

FORMER Harlow MP Bill Rammell has told the Herald this week that he needs time to think about his next move following his defeat in last weeks parliamentary elections. Mr Rammell lost out to Conservative candidate Rob Halfon by 4925 votes. Speaking to the Herald, Mr Rammell said: Im going away on holiday at the end of the week. Having worked 80 to 90 hours a week, Im very much looking forward to it. Mr Rammell also said he would be talking to his Labour Party colleagues about his plans for the future adding: Ill always be Labour.

FRIDAY 2nd JULY ROBBIE WILLIAMS TRIBUTE

Includes 3-course Dinner and Disco - 29.50pp
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