Tory MP hangs on to Norfolk seat despite anticipating defeat

A Conservative MP has been re-elected in his constituency despite anticipating a defeat.

Jerome Mayhew, who has hung on to his Broadland and Fakenham seat by less than a thousand votes, described the outcome as a "toss-up".

He faced a close competition with Labour's Iain Simpson - who swiftly left the count venue after hearing the results and declined to comment on his defeat.

Mr Mayhew received 16,322 votes compared to Mr Simpson's 15,603.

He said: "I've massively enjoyed this role and it's been a huge honour to work for the people of Broadland and Fakenham - it's a wonderful job.

"This election has been a disaster and I'm not going to sugarcoat that. Labour has won a large majority and I'm going to be holding them to account every single day.

"I'm going to fight even harder for my constituents."

Iain Simpson exits the building after hearing his result (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Mayhew said his priorities for Broadland and Fakenham will include seeing the Western Link built - which he hopes will reduce rat-running through villages such as Weston Longville and Ringland.

He is also backing the development of a new dental school at the University of East Anglia - which he claims the Conservative government was "about to announce" before the election was called.

Broadland and Fakenham has undergone a slight name change this year, with the addition of the town's name to the constituency.

Mr Mayhew was elected to the seat in 2019 with a majority of 21,861 and 60pc of the overall vote. The constituency has been held by the Tories since its creation in 2010.

He blames his reduced majority on voters turning from the Conservative Party to Reform UK - which received 8,859 votes in the constituency.

FULL RESULTS
Iain Simpson (L) 15,603
Jerome Mayhew (C) 16,322
Jan Davis (G) 3,203
Eric Masters (Ref) 8,859
Leyla Hannbeck (LD) 5,526

Turnout: 49,706 (64.67pc)