AN EMOTIONAL Yasmin Qureshi dedicated her victory in Bolton South East to her late mother.

Ms Qureshi was elected for the third time as MP for the Labour stronghold constituency, with a significantly increased majority.

Her mother, Sakina, died just a few weeks ago and she told a crowd of adoring supporters in her acceptance speech, “This is for you mum, I hope you are watching.”

Ms Qureshi, who stepped away from the campaign trail last month to deal with her mother’s funeral arrangements, added: “My mum lived with me and had been unwell for a while.

“She was admitted to hospital not long after the election was called and passed away a few day later.

“She has always been my anchor throughout my life.

“She has supported me, encouraged me, and believed in me.

“It was sad that she was not here for my third win and it has been an emotional time.

“But everyone in the Labour Party has helped so much in this campaign.

“We couldn’t have done this well without everyone working so hard.”

There was little surprise in the 53-year-old’s re-election — especially once exit polls showed that Labour was on course for a better-than-expected result across the country.

However, the size of her majority is now the largest Bolton South East has seen since New Labour swept into power with a landslide in 1997.

Ms Qureshi polled a whopping 60.67 per cent of the vote, representing a swing of more than 10 per cent in her favour from two years ago, and a total of 25,676 votes.

The former barrister, who was appointed a shadow minister for justice by Jeremy Corbyn last year, added that she believes Labour’s “clean” campaign was key to her success.

Ms Qureshi, who became one of the first female Muslim MPs in 2010, said: “I will continue to represent my constituents to the best of my ability and return their faith in me. I want to concentrate on the bread and butter issues that affect everyone – whether it is young people, old people, children, people on low wages, the homeless.

“As Jeremy Corbyn says, we are for the many not the few.

“I think we ran a clean, honest, principled campaign.

“We fought on issues, fought on policies, and didn’t go into personal slagging.

“In the end, the British people are confirming their faith in clean, honest politics.”

Her closest rival, Conservative Sarah Pochin, polled 12,550 votes — the best Tory performance in Bolton South East for three decades.

UKIP’s share of the vote collapsed, as Jeff Armstrong — who finished second with 9,627 in 2015 — won the support of just 2,779 voters.

He was followed by veteran Lib Dem Frank Harasiwka with 781 and the Green Party’s Alan Johnson on 537.

Mrs Pochin said she had held genuine hopes of causing what would have been a major upset, but felt she suffered due to a “disastrous” Tory campaign nationally.

The Cheshire East borough councillor, from Nantwich, said: “I really, really enjoyed the campaign. I have met some wonderful people and there was a strong feeling in Bolton South East among people that they did want change.

“They have been disappointed with the performance of the Labour MP and the Labour council.

“But what we have witnessed tonight is a national phenomenon.

“I don’t think it has really been about Bolton South East. I have been slightly in the hands of what has happened nationally.

“I am delighted that we managed to increase the Conservative vote quite considerably.

“As my first run out in a General Election, I am quite pleased with that performance.

“On first look, it has been a bit of a disastrous campaign by the Conservatives.

“I have to say that Labour have won a good campaign and covered up well their many weaknesses.

“Voters, I would say, have fallen for that.

“We need to look long and hard at how we have run this campaign and there will be some questions to be answered.”

Ms Qureshi added in her acceptance speech: “I would like to thank the people of Bolton South East who have returned me back to Parliament for the third occasion.

“I promise to keep your faith, I promise to serve and honour you.”