Penny Mordaunt loses Portsmouth North in devastating blow to Tories
Penny Mordaunt has lost her seat in a huge blow to the party, in what is proving to be a tough night for Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives.
Election 2024: Penny Mordaunt speaks after losing Portsmouth North seat
Penny Mordaunt has lost her Portsmouth North seat in a devatsating blow to Rishi Sunak and the Tories.
In a tough night for the Conservatives which has also seen Grant Shapps lose his seat, the former Leader of the House of Commons lost her seat to Labour's Amanda Martin by fewer than 1,000 votes.
Also standing in the seat were the Liberal Democrat's Simon Dodd, Reform UK candidate Melvin Todd and the Green's Duncan Robinson.
Ms Mordaunt, 51, previously came close to winning the Tory Party leadership against Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, and is a hugely popular figure in the Conservative Party.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Speaking to the crowd at Portsmouth Guildhall shortly after 4am this morning, she said her party had taken a “battering because it failed to honour the trust that people had placed in it”.
Clearly emotional, she said: “Tonight, the Conservative party has taken a battering because it failed to honour the trust that people had placed in it. You can speak all you like of security and freedom, but you can’t have either if you are afraid.
“Afraid about the cost-of-living or accessing healthcare, or whether the responsibility you shoulder will be recognised and rewarded.
"That fear steals the future, and it only makes the present matter and that is why we lost.
“Our renewal as a party and a country will not be achieved by us talking to an ever smaller slice of ourselves but being guided by the people of our country. And if we want again to be the natural party of government, then our values must be the people’s.
“I’ve lost many good colleagues tonight but I hope that like me they intend to carry on serving their communities with even stronger heart, our country needs all of us.”
