Firstly, I would like to congratulate Southampton Itchen’s new MP, Darren Paffey, and wish him well as he begins his new role as Southampton’s representative in Westminster.

And of course, commiserations to Sidney Yankson, the Conservative candidate, who put up a valiant effort to succeed me in Parliament.

Politics and particularly elections are a brutal business.

There are no prizes for second place, winner takes all.

And so it was last night when Labour secured a landslide victory in the General Election.

No ambiguity, a straightforward mandate for Sir Keir Starmer and a devastating result for the Conservative Party.

For those of us who are interested in these things there are one or two health warnings from yesterday’s results.

Royston Smith, former Southampton Itchen MPRoyston Smith, former Southampton Itchen MP

While I am not seeking to defend the Conservative Party, that is for others now, the scale of the defeat would not have been as severe but for the fragmentation of the votes or the low turnout.

Winning a landslide on 35 per cent of the vote when fewer than six in 10 bothered to participate, presents the new government with a significant challenge.

They must find a way to navigate the new reality of a parliament that includes independents and insurgent parties, while acknowledging that only a third of those that voted chose them. 

Top of Sir Keir’s to do list must include the question, why did so few voters participate and why did only a third of those that did choose Labour?

If he is to take this country forward and protect our hard-fought democracy, he will need to build bridges and coalitions.

No easy task and one which will take a great deal of skill and humility.

I hope, for our city, and for the country Sir Keir Starmer can step up to the challenge.

I wish him and his new government well.