OVER the last six weeks I have had the absolute privilege of being the Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate for the South West Wiltshire constituency.
I’d like to formally thank the returning officer and his team at Wiltshire Council, as well as all the staff who worked at the polling stations and at the count on election day. 
I’d also like to thank the other candidates: Andrew Murrison, Chris Walford, Liam Silcocks and Trevor Carbin, for what was a very enjoyable and positive campaign.
I’ve had incredible support and encouragement from many members of the Constituency Labour Party, local residents and family and friends. 
During the campaign we had so many interesting conversations on doorsteps, in town centres and via phone/email/social media with people who gave up their time to speak with us about our their concerns and find out more about how Labour policies would work for them and their community.
Most of all I’d like to thank the 14,515 members of the electorate who gave their vote to Labour on June 8. 
We unfortunately didn’t win the seat but anyone familiar with the voting history of this area is well aware that our 26 per cent share of the vote was unprecedented in recent times; we achieved the highest result for Labour here since 1974.
For us locally, the most important outcome of this election has been to clearly define Labour as the only viable alternative to the Conservatives in South West Wiltshire. 
For too long we have heard the rhetoric that Labour is a wasted vote in this area and that tactically it is best to vote Lib Dem if you want to unseat the Tories. We have finally dispelled this, coming second for the first time in nearly 50 years with a margin of almost 10,000 votes over the next largest party.
We have built on the successes we made in the recent local elections. We are a growing party with very little resources but we have made great impact over the last few months. We’ve had an historic result proving that both locally and nationally the country is wanting and needing change.
Thank you to all those who have made this possible.
Laura Pictor
South West Wiltshire Labour Party