Liz McInnes MP delivers passionate speech after winning Heywood and Middleton by-election

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Liz McInnes delivering her acceptance speech

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Liz McInnes, the newly elected MP for Heywood and Middleton, delivered a passionate speech after she was announced as the winner of the by-election.

In her speech, which was heckled by UKIP supporters, she said: “Tonight people gave their backing to Ed Miliband’s plans for an NHS. For an NHS with the time to care and they say to David Cameron, keep your mitts off of our National Health Service. They have rejected a Tory Government that is only standing up for the privileged few.

“This is a by-election that no one wanted, held in sad circumstances following the death of Jim Dobbin. I want to pay tribute to Jim. He was a tireless campaigner for this area and it is a huge honour to be elected to represent our community in Parliament. I’d also like to thank Pat, Jim’s widow and the Dobbin family for their unfailing support throughout this campaign.

“I would like to thank my opponents in this important campaign held under the media spotlight. I would also like to thank the Returning Officer, the police and everyone who has worked so hard at the count. And finally, the hundreds of amazing volunteers and staff that have travelled from near and far to support our campaign to save the NHS in Heywood and Middleton.

“It is only the Labour Party that will stand up for people in Heywood and Middleton and across the country. Only Labour has a plan to tackle the cost of living prices engulfing Britain. Only Labour will offer hope to Britain’s forgotten generation. Only Labour will offer fairness to Britain’s pensioners and Britain’s workers and crucially only Labour will save the NHS.

“There were two Tories on the ballot paper and the voters of Heywood and Middleton chose neither of them. People said no to a Tory government that is giving a tax cut to millionaires whilst families here are worse off. A Tory government that is selling off our NHS. A Tory government that only stands up for the privileged few. As Ed Miliband sets out his one vision for a one nation Labour Party Britain has spoken as one, with David Cameron rejected from the East Cost to the North West

“The people here weren’t convinced by UKIP – a party of Tory ideas, of Tory people, Tory money and Tory values.

"I have dedicated 33 years of my life to the NHS as a scientist and I will be proud to dedicate my time as an MP to the same values. An NHS free of point of use, GPs available when you need them, private money to support and not undermine, 20,000 more nurses and 8,000 more doctors. The people of Heywood and Middleton just voted for an NHS with the time to care.”