Labour Runner Up thanks locals for their support in yesterdays by-election...& gives hit that he may stand again in any future elections...

Mark Hanson, Labour Candidate who lost to Reform UK's Ed Doyle Yesterday Evening

The Labour Candidate standing in yesterdays Throston Ward by-election took the time to thank locals for their support after he lost the election by just 120 votes.

11th July 2025

Labours Candidate for yesterday's Throston by-election took to social media thanking supporters for their backing, with the Labour candidate coming just 120 votes short of securing the council seat.

There was speculation Mark Hanson could have won the Throston Ward by-election yesterday which was triggered by the resignation of former Labour ward councillor Steve Wallace who stood down following his conviction for assault.

However at yesterdays vote count, Hanson come just 120 votes short of achieving a win for the Labour Party albeit he did reduce the difference between the votes gained previously in a by-election held in he same council ward just two months ago where reforms Amanda Napper took double the votes Labours Candidate Lyndsey Allen managed to gain, suggesting that whilst reform appears to be winning seats in council wards, the margins are narrowing.

Taking to social media yesterday Mark Hanson said :

Not the result we were hoping for tonight, congratulations to the winning candidate.

I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to speak to me, support me, or put their trust in me at the ballot box. It’s been an incredible few weeks and I’ve genuinely loved getting to know more of you across Throston.

We might have fallen short this time, but I meant what I said: I care about this town, I care about this community, and I’m not going anywhere.

I’ll be back out there – listening, helping where I can, and fighting for what’s right for Hartlepool.

Thank you again for the conversations, the kindness, and the belief. I won’t forget it.

Voter turn out was again said to be 'disappointingly low' with just over a 20% turnout in the council ward, & said to be a reflection of the voter apathy in a town that once again appears to be bucking the trend in the support of political anti establishment parties.