LABOUR'S candidate for Tatton is delighted with the 'astounding' result he secured in the General Election.

Sam Rushworth, from Wilmslow, won 13,977 of the votes – finishing well ahead of third-placed Libreral Democrat candidate Gareth Wilson by 9,546 votes.

The result was Labour's best in the constituency since 1992 – five years before a boundary change which saw the seat lose much of Northwich and gain Alderley Edge and Nether Alderley.

Sam told the Guardian: "It was an astounding result for Labour, and our best since the boundaries were more in our favour.

"I think there were a number of people who were determined the Conservatives should not get away with austerity, because they have targeted the weakest and most vulnerable in society.

"School budgets were also a major concern among people I spoke to on the doorstep, and lots of parents who were normally Tory voters said they were voting Labour to stop the cuts."

Although supporters of the party have praised leader Jeremy Corbyn following last Friday's result of a hung parliament, the Conservatives still look set to hold power with a minority government, supported by the DUP.

While he is pleased with the progress Labour has made in Knutsford and Wilmslow, Sam believes last week's election could prove to have been a missed opportunity for his party.

"I'm concerned that we are seven years into austerity and we should have been looking to win a General Election at this point," he said.

"But we still have a Tory government, and we will be holding Esther McVey to account, making sure she keeps the promises she made during her campaign.

"The textbook says that minority governments don't work but I'm not sure what will happen – I've been dreadful at making predictions over the past two years."