THE POLITICAL landscape in Eastleigh has remained largely unchanged with the Tories keeping their seat.

A “delighted” Paul Holmes swept to victory beating his nearest rival and winning the constituency with more than 30,000 votes.

Liberal Democrats candidate Lynda Murphy was defeated by the 31-year-old, who served as one of the youngest councillors in the country for Southampton City Council when he was elected at the age of 19 in 2008.

Despite a disappointing result for the Labour Party, newcomer Sam Jordan managed to secure 7,559 votes it was a successful night for the Labour party as they gained 4,273 votes more than the previous election.

Mr Holmes, inset, told the Echo that he felt honoured to win the Eastleigh constituency.

He added: “I feel delighted to have won tonight. The trust people have in me is humbling.

“It’s the honour of my life to have been elected as MP for Eastleigh.

“I don’t mind admitting that it’s a daunting task, I have promises to deliver which I will attempt to do every day.

“I will vote for the Prime Minister's deal in Parliament so that we leave the EU. I want to reassure everybody that’s elected me that my first priority will, is and always will be the people of Eastleigh.”

Other than wanting “Brexit done” Mr Holmes said his other priorities include overdevelopment across the Eastleigh, too much traffic and a lack of local infrastructure.

Lynda Murphy the Lib Dem party candidate for Eastleigh reportedly taken ill and unable to attend the count on Thursday night

Speaking on behalf of the Lib Dems, council leader Keith House said: The national mood is that it’s a bit of a disappointment. We have worked hard in Eastleigh.

“Voters have been running to the Conservatives because of the fear of having Jeremy Corbyn as prime minister. I think the result is desperately sad for Eastleigh and desperately sad for the country. I think the Labour Party is responsible for Boris Johnson being prime minister

Sam Jordan: “We had a really good strong campaign in Eastleigh. We have had a strong performance and the digital campaign has reached around 60,000 people. Brexit has come up a lot.

“We have also seen issues with the local plan, traffic and the redevelopment of the former Eastleigh Police Station.

“The most exciting part about the campaign has been pulling together the community.”

The Tories have now held Eastleigh since 2015 when Mims Davies defeated the Liberal Democrats candidate Mike Thornton.

As previously reported, Mims announced her decision not to run as candidate for Eastleigh.

But, in a turn of events, she has now been elected as MP for Mid Sussex.

The Eastleigh results in full:

Paul Holmes, (Conservative) 32,690

Lynda Murphy, (Liberal Democrats) 17,083

Sam Jordan, (Labour) 7,553

Ron Meldrum, (Green Party) 1,639

Turnout – 70.53 per cent

.