Red days as socialists gain

Labour Representation Committee chairman John McDonnell won a thumping majority of 10,824 in Hayes and Harlington, scooping up 54.8 per cent of the vote.

He is a leading sponsor of the People's Agenda, urging a big fight against spending cuts, public ownership of key industries including banks, taxing the rich, repeal of anti-union laws and a massive council housebuilding programme.

Tireless activist Jeremy Corbyn increased his share of the poll by 3 per cent in Islington North to secure 24,276 votes - a 12,401 majority over the Liberal Democrats.

In Luton North, socialist economics expert Kelvin Hopkins also increased his share of the poll. He won 21,192 votes, a 7,520 majority over the Tory candidate.

Veteran campaigner Michael Meacher was returned in Oldham West & Royton with 19,503 votes, a majority of 9,352. The BNP came in fourth with 3,049 votes.

National Union of Mineworkers president Ian Lavery entered Parliament as the new MP for the north-east constituency of Wansbeck.

And renowned miners' MP Dennis Skinner achieved a comfortable majority of 11,182 over the Conservatives in Bolsover.

However, Mr Skinner's share of the poll dropped by 15 per cent, with a disturbing vote of 2,640 (6 per cent) for the racist BNP and 1,721 for Ukip (3.9 per cent).

In Newport West, indefatigable parliamentary terrier Paul Flynn was returned with a majority of 3,544 over the Tories.

Leading Scottish leftwinger Katy Clark easily beat the SNP in Ayrshire North and Arran, chalking up a majority of 9,895.

And former Morning Star journalist John Cryer was returned to Parliament with a majority of 6,416 in Leyton and Wanstead.

Left MP David Drew narrowly lost his seat in the highly marginal constituency of Stroud, while energetic backbencher Gordon Prentice lost to the Tories in Pendle by a margin of 3,585.

Other left MPs returning to the Commons include Diane Abbott (Hackney North), Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley), Martin Caton (Gower), Nia Griffith (Llanelli), David Hamilton (Midlothian), David Heyes (Ashton-under-Lyne), Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby), Linda Riordan (Halifax) and Mike Wood (Batley and Spen).