Original sentence: There have been some close shaves for both parties here in the past: Tory Walter Sweeney got home by a mere 19 votes in 1992 (although some of the votes were alleged to have come from the Conservative party targeting overseas voters such as those living in Australia rather than the local constituents - an entirely legal and normal electioneering practice); and John Smith (namesake of the late previous Labour leader) only had a majority of barely 2,000 in 2005
Edited sentence: There have been some close shaves for both parties here in the past: Tory Walter Sweeney got home by a mere 19 votes in 1992 (although some of the votes were alleged to have come from the Conservative party targeting overseas voters such as those living in Australia rather than the local constituents); and John Smith (namesake of the late previous Labour leader) only had a majority of barely 2,000 in 2005