Houghton and Sunderland South Result: BNP take 5.2%

As expected, Houghton and Sunderland South was the first constituency to declare its result. The vote shares were as follows:

Labour                    19,137 (50.3%)
Conservative           8,147 (21.4%)
Liberal Democrat    5,292 (13.9%)
Independent            2,462 (6.5%)
BNP                       1,961 (5.2%)
UKIP                     1,022 (2.7%)

Disappointingly, the BNP came in fifth place behind an Independent. Still, the 5.2% share was a small increase on the 3.8% secured in 2005 in the predecessor seat of Sunderland South. The BBC for some reason reported the result as representing a 2% decline in the BNP share of the vote. This is either an 'error', or a straight lie. This was a Labour stronghold, but represented an 8.3% decline on the vote that they achieved in 2005 in Sunderland South. The Labour majority was 10,990 on a turnout of 55%.