Newly-elected Lincoln MP Hamish Falconer promises to serve “beautiful city on the hill” Lincoln in election speech
Lincoln’s new Labour MP has promised to “fight every day” for Lincoln saying that he will “never forget” that he serves “this beautiful city on a hill”.
Hamish Falconer was elected as the new Member of Parliament on Friday morning with 18,470 votes., taking back the seat that was lost from Karen Lee in 2019.
In a speech, he thanked those who had organised the count, and those who had supported his campaign.
He also expressed gratitude to the outgoing Conservative MP Karl McCartney.
“I spent most of my diplomatic service in places where democracy did not exist or it was a sham. So I feel particularly moved tonight after a proper cause competition with my colleagues, to be chosen by my neighbors and fellow residents in Lincoln,” he said.
“I stand here as the representative of a changed Labour Party. I will fight every day for a more prosperous Lincoln, a fairer Lincoln, a safer city, a revived NHS and a stronger UK in the world.
“I am more than honored to be sent to Parliament by this city. I hope that when I was overseas, I never forgot that I served my country. I will never forget now who I serve - and that is you and this beautiful city on a hill.”
Conservative Karl McCartney received 9,677 votes, significantly down from his previous 24,267 number.
Mr McCartney, who famously left the counting venue in silence after losing the 2017 election, this time gave a speech in which he said serving the city since he was first elected in 2010 had ben “the best years of my life”.
“When I started out I sought to be the best constituent MP that it was possible to be,” he said.
“Not to chase high office, but only to serve the people of Lincoln. That is what I set out to do. That is what I have done.
“I can now move forward to the next challenge now that I've done right by my constituents.”
He wished his successor well and said it had been a clean and fair competition.
He also reminisced on time petitioning his father to make legislative changes.
He also thanked his campaign team, family, supporters and the election teams.
“I have done my best and I am proud of my achievements as Lincoln’s MP,” he said, cheekily adding that he enjoyed driving around the Eastern Bypass “commonly known now as McCartney Way”.
He said he would not be drawn on the results or the hows and whys, instead choosing to focus on spending more time with his family.
However, he did conclude his speech by saying: “Certainly central HQ needs to have the Art of War as essential reading” before quoting a footballer who said “it’s been emotional”.
Turnout for the night was 58.53% of a 72,315 electorate - down from the 2019 election turnout of 67.74%.
Postal vote turnout was 80.98%.
The full result was:
- Laura Ashby (Independent): 243
- Hamish Falconer (Labour): 18,470
- Sally Anne Horscroft (Sally Anne Horscroft): 2,751
- Craig Marshall (Social Democratic Party): 80
- Karl McCartney (Conservative): 9,677
- Jamie-Lee McMillan (Reform): 7,602
- Linda Richardson (Workers Party): 479
- Charles Shaw (The Liberal Party): 278
- Clare Smalley (Lib Dem): 2,580
