CONSERVATIVE Simon Reevell claimed a "victory for the people" as he unseated Labour’s Shahid Malik in Dewsbury.
He polled 18,898 votes to the former Labour MP’s 17,372, ahead of Lib Dem Andrew Hutchinson on 9,150.
The Labour supporters looked uncomfortable throughout the count and appeared to console their candidate, who was the last to arrive shortly before 4am.
Speaking after the result was announced, Mr Reevell said: "We did not get involved in negative campaigning – it’s been entirely positive and we’ve focused on what we can achieve.
"I think that struck a chord with people who have been bossed around for years."
Asked whether the boundary changes benefited his campaign he said: "They have helped but we have had great support from all over the constituency and this is a victory for the people of Dewsbury and I am grateful to them."
At the podium he thanked his wife for her support and to the people of Dewsbury for trusting him. He added that after 13 years they now have the chance to return their trust by not obsessing about targets."
Shahid Malik took to the podium with a literary flourish after Mr Reevell.
He quoted Rudyard Kipling’s lines from "If", saying: ‘If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster/
And treat those two impostors just the same".
"I’ve lost but I don’t feel like a loser, I feel like a winner.
"It has been a privilege to serve in the last five years and I wouldn’t change a thing – well OK maybe a few things."
He added that he respected the decision of the voters and added his thanks for his team adding, "when I look at them I feel like a winner, and when I look at my wife who supported me I feel blessed."
The tone changed however in a reference to Khizar Iqbal, saying: "My predecessor did not have to deal with an independent who had been put forward not to win it but to ensure that I lost.
"You can see who the losers are."
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The mood turned at this and he left the stage to a slow hand clap and catcalls from Iqbal’s supporters.
Lib Dem Andrew Hutchinson thanked his supporters for their support.
Khizar Iqbal polled 3,813 votes, followed by Roger Roberts of the British National Party on 3,265.
The Green Party’s Adrian Cruden gained 849 votes and Michael Felse of the English Democrats polled 661.
