After all the debating and discussing and canvassing and controversy the general election is over - at least so far as Eastleigh is conerned, with the news through that Eastleigh constituency and therefore the town of Hedge End has returned Liberal Democrat Chris Huhne as Member of Parliament.

 

Chris Huhne has represented Eastleigh constituency since being elected at the general election in 2005.

The results are as follows:

Chris Huhne (Lib Dem) 24,966

Maria Hutchings (Conservative) 21,102

Ray Barraghclough (Labour) 5,153

Ray Finch (UKIP) 1,933

Tony Pewsey (English Democrats) 249

Dave Stone (Independent) 154

Keith Low (National Liberal Party) 93

Turnout was 69.4%, up on 64.8% in 2005.

For the first forty years of its life Eastleigh constituency was a safe Conservative seat. Created in 1955 Sir David Price represented Eastleigh until his retirement in 1992 when Stephen Milligan was elected. His accidental death in 1994 caused a by-election and it was then that the Liberal Democrats took the seat – with a large swing of support and a majority of over 9,000 over the Conservatives.

The seat was won by David Chidgey who was returned to Parliament in the 1997 election (although with a reduced majority of only 754 over the Conservatives) and again in 2005 with a large majority this time, of over 3,000.

Chris Huhne took the seat in 2005 with a slim 568 vote majority – and this result shows a swing to the Lib Dems of 3%.

Any thoughts on the Eastleigh result in Hedge End?

Any messages for Chris Huhne from the people of Hedge End?