Conservative James Berry has defeated Liberal Democrat Ed Davey to become Kingston and Surbiton's new MP.

Surrey Comet:

Ed Davey speaks to Comet reporter Rachael Burford. Pic: Jon Sharman

Mr Berry gained some 2,800 votes more than the incumbent, who had occupied the seat since 1997.

Mr Davey, visibly holding back tears, said: "When I was out canvassing today I had a man tell me,‘You’ll be fine, Ed’. I wish I had a vote for all the people who told me I would be fine.

"I think we are seeing a national thing here. We have had a very bad night nationally.

"I am proud to have served the people of Surbiton and Kingston for 18 years.

"I found an awful lot of people wanted to vote for me but not my party and what we have now in Britain is a very worrying situation.

"I think there is a huge need in Britain for the strong Liberal voice which we will no longer have.”  

"Now I am going home to see more of my wife and children." 

Surrey Comet:

James Berry gives his victory speech. Pic: Jon Sharman

Asked what he hoped Mr Berry would do for his constituents, he said: "The thing I’m most proud of is helping individuals.

"You should understand the problems they are facing. People think it is a rich borough but there are some people in real need here."

Councillor Liz Green, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, said: "I am gutted, absolutely gutted. Ed has done a lot for this borough and I am weary about how James Berry could do half as much as Ed for this constituency.

"This is a very sad day for Kingston."

Mr Berry said: "I'm feeling exhilarated. I think we fought a really long and hard campaign. I have spoken to thousands and thousands of residents and I feel that our message got across.

"Ed Davey supported the people of Kingston and Surbiton for 18 years but at the end of the day the Liberal Democrat party did not have a message which appealed to the people during this general election.

"The first thing I will be doing is pushing for more school places in Kingston and tackling the overcrowding in Surbiton station."

Asked whether he would always vote in line with fellow Conservatives, he said: "I think I will vote for what is right for the people of Kingston but I agree with the party's manifesto and that is why I was happy to stand as a Conservative candidate."

WATCH: James Berry's winning 'We are back in the saddle' speech

Kingston Council leader Kevin Davis said: "I am really pleased for James. I never really thought Ed could topple but we had a strong majority.

"I have grown to like James, he has a lot to offer, he is on a sharp learning curve as I was last May and there is a lot of work to be done in Kingston. I am looking forward to working with him."

Results:

  • James Berry (Con): 23,249 
  • Ed Davey (Lib Dem): 20,415 
  • Lee Godfrey (Lab): 8,574
  • Ben Roberts (UKIP): 4,321
  • Clare Keogh (Green): 2,322
  • Daniel Gill (CPA): 198
  • Laurel Fogarty (TUSC): 174

Labour increased its share of the vote in Kingston, seemingly at the expense of Mr Davey and the Lib Dems. 

Lee Godfrey took 14 per cent of the vote, a five percentage point increase on the 2010 election. 

Mr Godfrey said: "This is a positive result for us.

"We have increased our vote and this gives us a good start for the mayoral elections and the locals in 2018."

UKIP's Ben Roberts almost tripled his party's share of vote from 2.5 per cent in 2010 to seven per cent.

Mr Roberts said: "I am really proud to have managed to get more than 4,000 people out to vote for me and for UKIP – a party going in the right direction.

"This is not the end, this is just the start."

Green Party candidate Clare Keogh quadrupled the party's vote share, but just missed out on getting back her £500 deposit.  

Miss Keogh also showed off her Irish dancing skills as the votes were being counted.

Green party candidate Clare Keogh's reel during last night's election count

Miss Keogh said just before the candidates were called to the podium: "It’s a really exciting night.

"We were sure Ed Davey would keep his seat."