Jeremy Hunt clings on to his seat by the skin of his teeth after knife-edge vote
Jeremy Hunt faced off against Lib Dem rival Paul Follows in the brand new Godalming and Ash seat - similar to the South West Surrey seat he's held since 2005.
Jeremy Hunt won his seat in Godalming and Ash after a tough challenge from Lib Dem rival Paul Follows.
Mr Hunt clung onto the new seat with a paper-thin 800-seat majority after a knife-edge vote.
The Surrey seat was first contested at this election due to the boundary changes review, but the outgoing Chancellor of the Exchequer has represented the similar South West Surrey seat in the House of Commons since 2005.
At the 2019 General Election, Mr Hunt beat Mr Follows by a majority of 8,817 votes - and it was one of Sir Ed Davey's biggest targets in the traditional "Blue Wall".
This will come as a hammer blow to the Lib Dems after some polls predicted that they even had an outside chance of becoming the official Opposition after the General Election.
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
Mr Hunt thanked his family, campaign team and the people who voted for him in his victory speech. He said: "After a gruelling campaign, I want to thank the people of Godalming and Ash for putting their trust in me. I've been truly humbled by the amazing work we've done."
On the monumental defeat the Tories have suffered at the General Election, Mr Hunt said: "Across the country, tonight has been a bitter pill to swallow."
He went on to say that much of the economy has been transformed since the Covid pandemic, but told constituents the Tories had lost the trust of voters.
He said: "When you lose the trust of the electorate all that matters is having the courage and humility to ask yourself why so you can win it back again."
Don't miss...
Exit poll results in full as Tories on course for disastrous night [REVEALED]
Fury as thousands unable to vote on election day due to system blunder [REPORT]
General Election latest: Rishi Sunak concedes election to Keir Starmer [LATEST]
Mr Hunt, who served as Britain's longest-serving health secretary, wished Labour well and expressed the hope Sir Keir Starmer's party would be able to implement the kind of NHS reforms a Conservative government would find it harder to.
The Chancellor's result came at the same time as outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak retained his seat in Richmond (Yorkshire), during which the PM conceded defeat to Labour.
Mr Sunak said the British people had "delivered a sobering verdict" and he took “responsibility” for his party’s loss. He revealed that he had called Sir Keir to congratulate him on his victory.
Labour had reached a majority of 326 seats with 465 constituency results declared by 5.04am, securing a 36.3 percent share of the vote. The Conservatives had 69 seats and a 22.3 percent vote share.
The Liberal Democrats won 44 constituencies with 11.2 percent of the overall vote, while Reform UK were on 14.7 percent of the vote, translating to success in four seats. The SNP had four seats and Plaid Cymru is on four. The Green Party was on 6.8 percent of the vote and one seat.
In his victory speech, Sir Keir told supporters at a rally: "Our task is nothing less than renewing the ideals that hold this country together."
He said the UK was waking up this morning to "the sunlight of hope", which was "shining once again on a country with the opportunity after 14 years to get its future back".
