Jeremy Corbyn hails Oldham by-election win as a 'vote of confidence' for Labour

Corbyn hails by-election win as a 'vote of confidence'. Credit: PA

Jeremy Corbyn hailed the Oldham by-election win as a "vote of confidence in our party" after Jim McMahon swept to victory for Labour.

McMahon secured a majority of more than 10,000 and an increased share of the vote in the by-election which was sparked by the death of long-standing MP Michael Meacher.

In a visit to Oldham lasting less than five minutes, Mr Corbyn congratulated Mr McMahon and said the victory showed how "strong" the party is.

But Ukip leader Nigel Farage complained of a "bent" contest after the party failed to make the progess in the constituency he had hoped for.

  • The result

Jim McMahon held the seat for Labour with a majority of more than 10,000 and increased its share of the vote by more than seven points to 62.1%.

There was a 2.27% swing from Ukip to Labour.

  • Corbyn passes first electoral test

Jeremy Corbyn Credit: PA

After a turbulent week for the party dominated by bitter in-fighting over air strikes in Syria, the win will provide some relief to Mr Corbyn.

The Labour leader said the result was a "vote of confidence in our party"

  • Farage: I have evidence vote was bent

Nigel Farage claimed the vote was 'bent'. Credit: PA Wire

The Ukip leader claimed to have "evidence from an impeccable source that today's postal voting was bent".

"As a veteran of over 30 by-elections I have never seen such a perverse result," he said.

"Serious questions need to be asked."

The party's losing candidate John Bickley said the postal voting system was "not fit for democracy right now", while Ukip's deputy leader Paul Nuttall said postal votes had "distorted the result".

  • How did the party's new MP react?

Jim McMahon with his partner Charlene (right). Credit: PA Wire

Westminster's newest MP said he was "delighted" by the result and vowed to "do my best to live up to those high standards" set by Mr Meacher.