I congratulate my opponent, Julian Sturdy, on his election victory as the new Conservative MP for York Outer.
My genuine commiserations go to the Lib Dem candidate, Madeleine Kirk, who fought a fantastic campaign.
I thank my agent and campaigns organiser, the party members who selected me and the people who voted for me.
It is an honour to represent the Labour Party and to stand for Parliament. I have met many new friends during my two and a half year candidacy and I have enjoyed the experience immensely.

I am proud of my achievements as a candidate like getting a freeze in local bus fares and helping the local paper to secure an increase in compensation for wounded troops.
I will continue the work I started regardless of the election result.

York Outer was always a difficult seat for Labour and with less resources than my opponents, I still gave it everything I had.
According to electoral calculus I was predicted to achieve 14.6% of the vote and I have beaten this and received 17.1%. Despite the national swing, Labour lost only 660 votes here since 2005,
receiving 9,108 votes. There is solid Labour support here and a firm basis for the local elections next year and the next general election.

With the re-election of Labour’s Hugh Bayley in York Central, it is clear across both York constituencies the voters have rejected the Lib Dems in the year before local elections.
This year may be the last year of Lib Dem control of the Council as the Labour Party and the Conservatives are now the dominant political forces in York.
I now refocus my priorities to the Council to ensure a Labour victory at the local elections next year. Once again thank you.


Councillor James Alexander
Prospective Labour MP for York Outer at the 2010 General Election