BREAKING away from Bradford Council control remains firmly on the agenda of Keighley's MP.

Robbie Moore says "taking back our independence" is amongst electorate priorities which had seen him retain the seat for the Conservatives.

Speaking to the Keighley News this week, following his general election victory, he vowed to continue to "make sure local voices are heard" in Westminster.

Mr Moore defied expectations and bucked the national trend when he held on to the Keighley & Ilkley seat in last Thursday's poll.

Labour's landslide victory nationally was mirrored in the rest of the Bradford district.

Long-standing MP Sir Philip Davies, an ally in the battle to break away from Bradford Council, lost his Shipley constituency to Labour.

Mr Moore told us: "I am extremely grateful to everyone who put their faith in me to continue standing up for them.

"It really was an odds-defying night, and I’d like to pay a special thanks to the many residents who I know voted for the first time or broke decades-long party voting traditions to see me re-elected.

"One thing I’ve learned in public service is to take absolutely nothing for granted, and my commitment to everyone – no matter their politics – is to work tirelessly with continued energy and enthusiasm over the years ahead to make sure local voices are heard down in Westminster.

"We all want our new Government to succeed, and I look forward to working with them on the priorities people here in Keighley and Ilkley have voted for – including making sure we deliver on the record investment I fought hard to secure for our town, finishing the rebuild of our new Airedale Hospital by 2030, and having a say on taking back our independence from Bradford Council, which I truly believe will lead to a fairer future for all in our district."

Immediately after the result of the count – at Keighley Leisure Centre – was announced, Mr Moore admitted his win was "completely unexpected".

He polled 18,589 votes, ahead of Labour's John Grogan, with 16,964.

Mr Moore said: "I'm over the moon and very pleased that the people of Keighley and the surrounding area voted for me.

"The win was completely unexpected, and I was very nervous."

His vote share of 40.3 per cent outperformed the average Conservative vote share nationally by 16.3 per cent.

Sir Philip Davies, who had represented Shipley for the Conservatives since 2005, didn't fare as well.

Labour's Anna Dixon took the seat with a majority of 8,603.

She said: "I'm pretty elated. I've built a relationship with the voters.

"It's been an amazing night for Labour in Shipley and at the national level.

"I now have a mandate to serve the people of Shipley."

Sir Philip said the Tories were "damaged so much" by Liz Truss' premiership, and he described the Covid lockdowns as "economically and politically disastrous".

He said: "I'm bitterly disappointed.

"I take full responsibility for my defeat – I'm not going to blame anybody else.

"I lost to the better candidate.

"I congratulate Anna Dixon – she fought a very effective, energetic, fair campaign.

"She deserved to win and I wish her well.

"Being Shipley MP has been the best job in the world."