WITNEY MP David Cameron was “at his best” in the last week of campaigning, according to his election agent as he increased his majority.
On a triumphant night for the Prime Minister, Mr Cameron secured his seat with 35,201 votes – a majority of 25,155.
He looked tired but jubilant as he delivered a short victory speech at about 6am yesterday.
He said: “It’s a huge honour to serve you in parliament and and to represent this beautiful part of the country.
“Some people say there’s only one opinion poll that counts and that’s the one on election night.
“Today is the 70th anniversary of VE day and we should start by remembering those who gave such service to save our democracy.”
The Prime Minister’s agent for West Oxfordshire, Natasha Whitmill, said she was confident of his victory as the Tory leader had been “at his best” in the final stages of the campaign.
She said: “It’s taken people a long time to make up their minds and there has been a lot of information to digest but this week the Conservative campaign has been really strong.”
While the result may never had been in doubt, the declaration arrived far later than first thought and with a degree of controversy with one candidate dressed as Elmo and another as a Saudi Sheikh in protest.
Deek Jackson, leader of the Land Party, arrived donning a white head-dress at the count at Windrush Leisure Centre to campaign against the UK’s support of the Saudi Arabian government.
And Bobby Smith, leader of the Stop Emotional Child Abuse Vote Elmo Party, dressed as the red furry Sesame Street character.
The candidates gained 35 and 37 votes respectively.
Labour Party candidate Duncan Enright came in second gaining 10,046 votes – bucking the national trend – to improve on his party’s 7,511 in 2010.
He said it was unrealistic to expect to oust a sitting Prime Minister, but was pleased his party had set the election agenda on issues like transport on the A40 and affordable housing.
Mr Enright said: “It’s been brilliant. We’ve brought new people into the process and into politics. I feel that we’ve got a really solid platform for changing West Oxfordshire for the better.”
UKIP candidate Simon Strutt came in third with 5,352 votes but he admitted he had hoped to finish second.
On a terrible night for the Liberal Democrats, Andy Graham came fourth with 3,953 votes, down from 11,233 in 2010 when Alan Armitage stood.
Mr Graham admitted his party had not had enough resources to mount a strong campaign in West Oxfordshire but said it would have a realistic chance of taking the seat in 10 years’ time.
Stuart Macdonald for the Green Party came fifth with 2,970 votes.
Fathers’ rights campaigner and independent candidate Chris Tompson, who achieved 94 votes, thanked the people of the town for feeding and looking after him during his campaign – some of which was spent sleeping in a tent in Witney High Street.
National Health Action Party Candidate Clive Peedell said his party would continue to fight to protect the NHS from privatisation despite getting just 616 votes.
He said: “We’ve had some really good feedback about the campaign.”
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