Former MP Simon Fell has congratulated the now Labour MP Michelle Scrogham on inheriting 'the best job in the north'.

Mrs Scrogham swept to victory in the constituency last night ahead of the Conservative Barrow and Furness sitting MP.

She achieved 44 per cent of the vote after more than 42,000 ballots were cast in the rejigged constituency, giving her a majority of more than 5,000.

READ MORE: New Barrow and Furness MP 'incredibly humbled' as Labour take seat

Labour achieved 18,537 votes with the Conservatives gaining 13,213 and Reform UK finishing third 7,035.

After a long night, the former Barrow minister posted on his Facebook page around 9am this morning.

The post read: "My congratulations to Michelle on her victory in Barrow & Furness. She’s now inherited the best job in the North, and I wish her well in it.

(Image: Newsquest) "I’m hugely disappointed to have not got over the line. I would have dearly loved to continue to serve this amazing community, and to see some of the projects which we have launched, from Team Barrow through to our new university campus, and the campaign for Royal Town status, to have been realised.

"But it wasn’t to be, and you can’t only love democracy when you’re on the winning side.

"Thank you to everyone across Barrow & Furness who lent me your votes and put your faith in me. To everyone who has worked with me to improve this community bit by bit over the last few years.

"To my amazing team, who have helped thousands of people and gone the extra mile time and again. And to those friends and supporters who committed days of time and immense amounts of shoe leather in campaigning with me.

"You’ve all been brilliant, and I’ll never be able to adequately thank you enough.

"It hasn’t always been a pleasure, but it has been an absolute honour. Thank you so much for the opportunity you gave me these last 4 1/2 years to represent you."