Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Newcastle-under-Lyme election result: Student voters initially turned away return to clinch marginal seat for Labour

Voters told they are not on the register because an old one is being used and asked to return in the last hour

Friday 09 June 2017 13:12 BST
Comments
Workers prepare signs outside their polling station on general election day in London on 8 June 2017
Workers prepare signs outside their polling station on general election day in London on 8 June 2017 (Reuters)

Students who were stopped from voting at Newcastle-Under-Lyme later returned and clinched the victory for Labour.

Voters in the constituency, which is home to Keele University, were told they were not on the register because an old one was being used and asked to come back in the last hour of voting.

They did so in large numbers and Labour was able to retain the seat by only 30 votes.

Paul Farrelly held the constituency, receiving 21,124 votes, more than his Conservative rival, Owen Meredith, who got 21,094 votes.

Theresa May’s Conservative party have fallen short of the 326 needed for a majority.

On Friday, Ms May visited Buckingham Palace to seek permission to form a minority government.

She will attempt to stay in power on the understanding the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) will provide support for her administration.

The election produced a range of interesting results and Jeremy Corbyn outperformed all expectations securing 261 seats, increasing Labour's total from 2015 by 29.

Labour initially said it was ready to oust Ms May from No 10 and form a minority government themselves.

“We're ready to form a government…we are willing to serve the country," Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said.

When asked, Mr Corbyn himself did not rule out forming a minority government and said he was "ready to serve".

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in