MP by election gets underway

Voters are taking to the polls today to elect a new MP to represent the Batley and Spen constituency.
MP: The seat was held by Jo Cox, who died in June.MP: The seat was held by Jo Cox, who died in June.
MP: The seat was held by Jo Cox, who died in June.

Ten candidates are contesting the seat in the by-election, which was called following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox.

Former soap actress Tracy Brabin was selected to stand for the Labour Party.

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The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and UKIP all decided not to field a candidate out of respect for Mrs Cox.

The other candidates standing are Anti Corbyn, by election protest; Jack Buckby, representing ‘no to terrorism, yes to Britain’; and Richard Edmonds, standing for the National Front.

Also in the running are David Furness, on behalf of the British National Party Local People First; Therese Hirst of the English Democrats; and Waqas Khan standing as an independent.

And the remaining candidates are Garry Kitchin, running as an independent candidate; Ankit Love for the One Love Party; and Henry Mayhew, an independent candidate.

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Mrs Cox won the Batley and Spen constituency vote with a 6,057 majority in the May 2015 general election.

She held the seat for 13 months, until her death in June this year.

Halifax MP Holly Lynch has overseen her constituency office since then.

Polling stations are open until 10pm tonight for people to cast their votes.

The ballots will then be counted and verified.

And the result is expected to be announced tomorrow.