A FORMER leader of Waltham Forest Council who was standing for Parliament in Northampton South has said he is pleased with his showing despite losing the seat to the Conservatives.

Northampton-born Clyde Loakes managed a total of 9,913 votes, but came second place to the Conservatives who took the seat in Thursday's general election with a majority of just over 6,000 votes.

Despite finishing second he has told the Northampton Chronicle and Echo he was happy with the outcome.

He did not comment on whether he would stand as a candidate in the same constituency again.

Cllr Loakes previously told the Guardian he was merely a “paper candidate”, with no realistic prospect of winning the parliamentary seat for Labour and was standing "for the experience".

But he later u-turned on his comment and said he would fight for the Midlands seat.

Cllr Loakes retained his place as Leytonstone ward councillor in the local elections, along with Cllr Marie Pye and Cllr Jennifer Gray.