LABOUR’S John Griffiths regained the Newport East for a fourth term in what he described as the “best ever result” for the party in the area.

Mr Griffiths, who has held the seat since the first Assembly elections in 1999, increased his majority six fold since 2007 winning 5,388 votes ahead of Conservative Nick Webb.

The trained solicitor, won by a narrow margin in 2007 just 875 votes ahead of Liberal Democrat Ed Townsend, who this year slipped down to third place with 3,703 votes - down from the 5,520 votes he secured at the last election.

Despite securing 12 less votes than last year the Conservatives managed to move from third place to second with 4,500 votes, while Plaid Cymru’s Chris Paul polled 1,369 votes, down on the party’s 2007 showing of 1,696 votes.

Mr Griffiths said the win, which saw him take 53 per cent of the overall votes, was a welcome result.

He said: “Obviously we are absolutely delighted with the result. It’s the best ever result for the Labour party in Welsh Assembly elections in Newport East.

“We increased our margins six fold and it’s a great tribute to the hard work the campaign team has put in over the last four year.

“It also shows that the people of Newport East agree with the Labour values of fairness, social justice, equality, opportunity and outcome.”

Mr Griffiths added that this year’s high Labour majority indicated that local people do not agree with the cuts being made by the UK Conservative Liberal Democrat coalition - particularly in terms of the Lib Dems, whose support in Newport East has fallen significantly since the last election, he said.

Mr Griffths vowed to continue with the work he has been doing since 1999 building strong relationships with local organisations and the community.

He promised to listen to what people want and need, which included the regeneration of Newport city centre and maintaining vital public sector jobs in the area.