Putney was the only constituency to change hands from the Conservatives to Labour. This result was a direct contrast to the rest of the UK. The last time Labour won the seat was in 2001 during Tony Blair’s premiership. Despite contrasting results further north for Labour, they did secure the Putney seat which was a major target of theirs. 

 

Fleur Anderson (Labour) received 22,780 votes, indicating a  +4.4% vote share change. Conservatives received 18,006 votes with a  -8.4% vote stare change and the Liberal Democrats received 16.900 votes a +5.3% vote share change. Putney voters had a 77% turnout a +4.9% from the 2017 election.

 

It is worth noting how Labour secured the seat and differentiated from the National trend.  

 

Firstly, Putney is one of the most Remain constituencies in the country. Putney overwhelmingly voted 72.24% to remain in the EU referendum in 2016. Labour sent 700 canvassers into Putney over the election period, stating that the “campaign was almost completely disconnected from the national one.” Fleur Anderson was publicly pro-remain and pro-second referendum. The canvassers argued that Anderson was the last chance to stop Brexit which obviously resounded within the constituency. Labour’s attempt to target Liberal Democrat and undecided voters proved decisive in securing the seat. 

 

Secondly, Justine Greening stood down as the MP for Putney. She had a significant profile in the constituency and was well liked by non-Tory voters. She was also a pro-remainer. Labour feared that she would join the Liberal Democrats, which would have been a severe blow to their chances in the constituency. However, her decision not to switch allegiances eventually handed an easy gain to the Labour Party.

 

Fleur Anderson’s words in her victory speech, “A bright light on a dark night,” epitomised Labour’s disappointing night. Despite this, Fleur Anderson can use her platform in order to carry out her pledges to Putney; and as one of the remaining Labour MP’s she could be the seat of revitalising the Labour Party’s future political campaign’s.