IN PICTURES: Labour's Alistair Strathern new Mid Beds MP

The victory means that the constituency will have a Labour MP for the first time in its 105-year history, in what proved to be the largest numerical majority ever overturned in a by-election.

The vote was called when Nadine Dorries resigned as a Conservative MP two months ago. She had held the seat since 2005, and the Conservatives had held it continuously since 1931.

READ MORE: Historic victory for Labour in Mid Beds by-election

Here's how the Mid Bedfordshire by-election unfolded in pictures.

Alistair Strathern couldn't hide his delight after being elected as Mid Beds MP. (Image: PA Images/PA Wire)

Polling day

Going into polling day yesterday, predictions still had the Conservatives and their candidate, Festus Akinbusoye, as favourites to secure the seat.

Even as votes were being counted in the early hours of this morning, Labour's national campaign co-ordinator Pat McFadden admitted that victory in Mid Bedfordshire would be a "long shot".

But, Mr Strathern has been "working his socks off since June", according to Labour’s Mid Bedfordshire campaign lead Peter Kyle. His efforts paid off.

More than 40,000 constituents turned out to cast their vote on Thursday, with Mr Strathern and his partner Megan Corton-Scott - who played a key role in his campaign - among them.

Alistair Strathern and Megan Corton-Scott on their way to vote. (Image: PA Images/PA Wire)

The coupled walked hand-in-hand, beaming from ear-to-ear as they arrived at Shefford Town Memorial Association to vote, with the Labour candidate evening taking time to wave to photographers.

Throughout Mr Strathern's campaign, Ms Corton-Scott has rarely not been seen by her partner's side, and celebrated his victory by tweeting: "Historic by-election winner, but more importantly the love of my life."

As polls closed at 10pm, Mr Strathern shared a photo of himself and his partner on Twitter, saying: "Whatever happens next, I will always be grateful to the people who took their time in the last three months to talk to me about the issues that affect their lives.

"Mid Bedfordshire is our home. If I am lucky enough to be your MP, I will not let you down."

Hours later, the results on an historic night for the constituency would be in.

Megan Corton-Scott played a key role in Alistair Strathern's campaign. (Image: PA Images/PA Wire)

Counting and results

Votes were counted into the night and the early hours of Friday morning, and despite early concerns, Labour's hope for victory in Mid Bedfordshire grew as the result approached.

"Clearly we’ve done very well in this by-election. Clearly we’re doing very well in the Tamworth by-election as well," said Mr Kyle.

Just after 3am, it was announced that Labour had won the by-election in Mid Bedfordshire, and Alistair Stathern was the new MP.

Alistair Strathern and Megan Corton-Scott arrive as results are counted. (Image: PA Images/PA Wire)

After 92 years as a Conservative seat, the constituency had decided to go red for the first time in its history. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described it as a "game-changer" and showed "a confidence now in this changed Labour Party".

Labour secured Tamworth for the first time ever too, and with the general election just around the corner, belief is growing thanks to by-election success in both constituencies and Scotland's Rutherglen earlier this month.

Giving his victory speech, Mr Strathern declared that "nowhere is off limits for this Labour party".

"Tonight residents across Mid Bedfordshire have made history, after decades of being taken for granted, feeling left behind, being under-represented, they made a decision it was time for a change," he said.

Alistair Strathern giving his victory speech. (Image: PA Images/PA Wire)

"Nowhere is off limits for this Labour Party and tonight’s result proves it."

The smaller parties played their part in Labour's Mid Bedfordshire win too.

Independent Gareth Mackey finished in fourth place with 1,865 votes, and Dave Holland from Reform UK got 1,487 votes, finishing in fifth.

With Mr Strathern winning by a majority of 1,192, the votes secured by Mr Mackey and Mr Holland may well have gone to the Conservative Party if neither candidates ran, but we will never know.

An emotional Megan Corton-Scott after Labour's win is announced. (Image: PA Images/PA Wire)

Celebrations

Friday morning saw Labour party celebrations at the Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park in Marston Moretaine, with Mr Strathern joined on stage by Sir Keir Starmer.

"What a fantastic candidate," said the Labour party leader.

"He has not only won here, he’s made history here over the past 24 hours. An incredible achievement already.

Alistair Strathern and Sir Keir Starmer after Labour secured Mid Bedfordshire. (Image: PA Images/PA Wire)

"Every vote that you persuaded to come across to us was worth it. This is an incredible night in politics, an incredible morning, an incredible result here for so many reasons.

"It is clear that the voters here have turned their back on a failed Tory Government. They’ve had enough of the decline of the last 13 years and they are crying out for change – positive change that the Labour Party can bring them."

Mr Starmer was clearly delighted with the result, but was keen to keep his emotions in check, telling BBC Breakfast: "I don't want to get carried away. I know there's a long way to go."

Mr Strathern is keen to make a difference, adding: "I’ve been really humbled by how seriously people have taken this election, this opportunity to do something differently, this chance to make sure we finally have an MP in Parliament who is going to be on our side."

Keir Starmer was full of praise for Alistair Strathern. (Image: PA Images/PA Wire)

Labour celebrate after securing Mid Bedfordshire. (Image: PA Images/PA Wire)