CONSERVATIVE Geoffrey Cox has held on to his Torridge and West Devon seat for the fourth term with a comfortable win.

Despite predictions that the Conservative party would win by a landslide in the snap general election, the Tories failed to win the seats necessary for a majority in the House of Commons, leaving a hung parliament.

Mr Cox gained 33,612 votes, finishing well ahead of Labour candidate Vince Barry, who finished second with 12,926 votes.

In third position was Liberal Democrat candidate David Nigel Chalmers with 10,526 votes. Chris Jordan, the Green Party candidate, was next with 1,622, and Independent candidate Robin Julian received 794 votes.

With 115 polling stations in the constituency, the overall voter turnout was 74.04% — an increase of more than 2% from the previous election.

On hearing the news he had retained his seat, Mr Cox said he was ’deeply honoured’ to be elected.

’It is a privilege to have been elected for the fourth time. I am extremely grateful for everybody that has contributed to making this exercise in democracy very smooth and so harmonious.

’May I also congratulate my opponents — it was a hard fought fight and I am grateful for their spirit in which they fought.’

With an increase in votes for the Labour party, compared to previous elections, 19-year-old candidate Vince Barry said he was ’speechless’ and ’proud’ with where the party placed.

He said it was ’remarkable’ to be second: ’I am really proud of the campaign and of the constituency. As one of the youngest candidates in Devon and Cornwall I can’t thank my team enough and all who have voted for me. Fighting the rural seat is difficult but I’m ecstatic with the result.

’I’m just speechless!’

Robin Julian, Independent, predicted another general election in ’12 to 18 months’ time’ and said the ’Conservatives will lose the next election, if not earlier’.

He said: ’They are not looking after the people and it’s as simple as that.

’My campaign was a struggle — I have worked my socks off. I shall carry on fighting though cause I have been asked to by the people. I believe in what I’m saying and I will run again!’

Before the announcement, Liberal Democrat candidate David Chalmers said: ’I’m pleased that we were able to get our points across at the hustings and in general through my leaflets.

’The country is split so it will be interesting to see how they [the Government] go forward. The membership of the Liberal Democrats has gone over 100,000 and we have new members who have joined and that is encouraging. I will be pleased if we have increased our vote share.’

The Green Party candidate Chris Jordan, whose main priority is global warming and to educate the public on its impact, said: ’I feel the campaign went well. It has been enlightening to hear the public discuss British politics in such detail and I’ve gained strength from the campaign. 

’I feel privileged to be a part of ground breaking politics. I have enjoyed the whole process — I believe in British politics.’