Shadow higher education minister forced out in general election

Gordon Marsden loses Blackpool South seat

Gordon Marsden, Labour’s shadow minister for higher education, further education and skills, has been ousted from his seat in Blackpool South.

In the 12 December general election, Conservative candidate Scott Benton took the seat from Marsden with 16,247 votes and a majority of 3,690. Marsden’s 12,557 votes represented a 12-point swing away from Labour in Blackpool South since the 2017 election, mirroring a loss of support for the party across the country.