Who is Jill Mortimer? Conservative MP elected in Hartlepool by-election

JILL Mortimer has been elected Hartlepool MP in a stunning Tory victory - dealing a huge blow Labour.

The Conservative party seized the North East constituency from Keir Starmer's party - knocking another huge brick out of the Red Wall.

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Who is Jill Mortimer?

Jill Mortimer is the Tory candidate who scooped the win for the party at the Hartlepool by-election.

The North Yorkshire councillor and farmer, who lives near Thirsk, is the first woman to hold the seat.

After being revealed as the new Hartlepool MP on Friday, May 7, she said: "People have made it clear, it's time for change.

"I will not let you down, I will not fail you."

Jill was congratulated by Matt Hancock, who dubbed her win a "historic victory".

The Health Secretary tweeted: "Huge congratulations to @Jill4Hartlepool on winning the Hartlepool by-election.

"This historic victory shows that the @Conservatives are delivering on the people's priorities.

"A fantastic achievement & I look forward to working with you."

How many votes did Jill Mortimer win by?

The Tories romped home in the North East town, winning it for the first time since the seat was created in 1974 in a huge blow to Labour leader Starmer.

There were cheers as Conservative candidate Jill Mortimer was announced the winner with 15,529 votes on Friday, May 7 - well ahead of Labour's Paul Williams on 8,589.

The stunning victory represents another seismic redrawing of Britain's post-Brexit political map.

Here is a break down of the votes:

• Social Democratic Party, David Bettney - 104
• Monster Raving Looney, The Incredible Flying Brick - 108
• North East, Hilton Dawson - 163
• Women's Equality, Gemma Evans - 140
• Green, Rachel Featherstone - 358
• Independent, Adam Gainers - 126
• Liberal Democrats, Andrew Hagon - 349
• Freedom Alliance, Steve Jack - 72
• Independent, Chris Killick - 248
• Independent, Sam Lee - 2,904
• Heritage, Claire Martin - 468
• Conservative, Jill Mortimer - 15,529
• Reform UK, John Prescott - 368
• Northern Independence Party, Thelma Walker, 250
• Independent, Ralph Ward-Jackson, 157
• Labour, Paul Williams - 8,589

Why was a by-election called in Hartlepool?

The by-election came after Mike Hill, who was suspended by the party in 2019 over claims he harassed a woman, stepped down from the Commons.

Mr Hill denies the allegations, which will be heard at a tribunal in May this year.

The decision sparked a by-election battle in the Northern seat, and was a key test for whether Labour could hold on to the spot.

People headed to polling stations on Thursday, May 6.

Sir Keir Starmer has been struggling in the polls as Boris Johnson experiences a huge poll bounce over the rollout of the vaccine.

The Tory candidate missed out by just over 3,000 votes in 2019, but the vote was split heavily by the Brexit Party who raked in thousands of votes.