Rising star who breaks the mould

Ms Reeves saw off a strong challenge from the Liberal Democrats to secure a majority of 7,016 – half the 14,000 enjoyed by her predecessor, Labour stalwart John Battle, who stood down after holding the seat since 1987. The result showed one of the largest swings away from Labour anywhere in the region, at 13.9 per cent, and one of the largest towards the Lib Dems, at 6.8 per cent.

Ms Reeves said she was proud to have been elected. At 31, she is seen as a rising star of Labour, an economist who has worked for the Lloyds Banking Group as well as spending six years at the Bank of England.

Before being selected as the candidate for Leeds West, she had contested Bromley and Chislehurst in the 2005 General Election and in the 2006 parliamentary by-election.