Defeated Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings left the count without speaking to waiting press after the result.

The mother of four was clearly upset at not only her failure to win the seat but the fact they were beaten into third place behind UKIP.

The Conservatives had mounted a high-profile campaign to get behind Mrs Hutchings, who lost to disgraced ex-MP Chris Huhne at the last general election.

 

Prime Minister David Cameron had visited the constituency twice while other senior Cabinet minister including Chancellor George Osborne and Home Secretary Theresa May had also show their support for their candidate.

Her election agent was Meon Valley MP George Hollingbery who said the result had been “pretty tough” for Mrs Hutchings.

When asked why she left the count so suddently Mr Hollingbery said: “Have you ever met Maria?”

He added: "She is a pretty emotional sort. It has been pretty tough for her."