Activists from Uttlesford are celebrating their role in Mid-Bedfordshire's historic Labour by-election victory.

Labour candidate Alistair Strathern defeated the Tories on Thursday, October 19 by 13,872 votes to 12,680 - ending the Conservative's hold in the area since 1931.

Now activists are pushing for Labour to have a similar victory in Essex in next year's general election.

Jane Berney, Saffron Walden parliamentary candidate for Labour in 2015 and 2017, said: "Activists from Saffron Walden, Dunmow and Stansted helped to overturn a Tory majority of nearly 25,000 in mid Bedfordshire. 

"Now we're ready to bring the fight home in the general election.

"Our communities have been poorly served by a self-promoting Tory MP, who is rarely here and clearly doesn't care about local issues.

"We need a Labour MP who is committed to the local area and can work co-operatively with local councillors to put residents' needs first."

Saffron Walden-based Labour activist Cherry Parker led campaigners from Essex to help fight the nearby by-election.

She said: "Labour has a compelling vision for a decade of national renewal if it wins the general election in 2024.

"The Tories lost control of Uttlesford District Council in 2019 and Labour intends to give them a serious fight at the general election too.

"We have nearly 500 local members committed to bringing change and security for everyone."

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David Beverly, from the North West Essex Conservative Association, defended Saffron Walden MP Kemi Badenoch's work across the constituency.

He said: "Mrs Badenoch works hard for residents across her Saffron Walden constituency as their local MP, balancing this alongside her role as Secretary of State for Business and Trade which involves a lot of international travel.

"She certainly does work with her local Conservative councillors to assist with issues in their wards and across the North Chelmsford and Uttlesford districts, only this week supporting Cllr Sue Barker with road closures in Leaden Roding."

Kemi Badenoch's work across North Chelmsford and Uttlesford, in Parliament and as Secretary of State for Business and Trade and Minister for Women Equalities is also detailed on her social media pages.