GENERAL ELECTION 2015: Conservative Michael Ellis says he was ‘humbled’ by result that saw him retain seat in Northampton North

General Elections 2015 at The Royal and Derngate. NNL-150805-025455009

Mr Ellis said he felt ‘humbled’ by the result of an election that saw him increase his majority in Northampton North.

He finished with 16,699 votes, more than 3,000 more than his nearest challenger Labour candidate Sally Keeble.

Mr Ellis said: “I am very pleased and immensely humbled by this result.

“I have increased my majority and that is a reflection of my service to the town over the course of the past five years.

“I think the economy was a key factor in the election as the people of Northampton know that you need a strong economy to pay for the public services.”

Mr Ellis said his principal ambition for the next five years was to “serve the people of Northampton”.

Labour candidate Sally Keeble, who has now lost twice to Mr Ellis, said she was “sorry the result did not justify the hard work and dedication of Labour party members”.

General Elections 2015 at The Royal and Derngate. NNL-150805-042109009

She said: “The consequences for the public of this election result are clear - the NHS as we know it will not survive.

“People will be denied the improvements in living standards they should expect and the bedroom tax will continue.

“So to those who have won, I would caution your jubilation and think with compassion towards the people that will have to live with the consequences of this election result for years to come.”

The result of the ballot was announced shortly after 4.50am.

General Elections 2015 at The Royal and Derngate. NNL-150805-025552009

The full results were as follows:

Tony Clarke (Green): 1,503

Michael Ellis (Conservative): 16,699

Sally Keeble (Labour): 13,454

Angela Paterson (Lib Dem): 1,401

Tom Rubython (UKIP): 6,354

Turnout: 66%

The Northampton North seat was a key marginal seat that both the Conservative and Labour have been campaigning hard to win.

Mr Ellis was elected as MP for Northampton North in 2010, with a majority of 1,936.

In this election he was up against two former MPs - Mrs Keeble, who held the seat from 1997 to 2010, and Tony Clarke, who was the Labour MP for Northampton South from 1997 to 2005.