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Labour hold as Rantzen bid fails Labour hold as Rantzen bid fails
(about 1 hour later)
Labour has managed to hold on to the former seat of Margaret Moran - Luton South - despite a challenge by television presenter Esther Rantzen. Labour has managed to hold on to Luton South - the former seat of Margaret Moran - despite a challenge by television presenter Esther Rantzen.
Labour's Gavin Shuker won 14,725 votes, a majority of 2,329 over Tory candidate Nigel Huddleston. Labour's Gavin Shuker won 14,725 votes, a majority of 2,329 over Conservative candidate Nigel Huddleston.
Ms Rantzen decided to stand after Ms Moran faced serious criticism over her expenses claims.Ms Rantzen decided to stand after Ms Moran faced serious criticism over her expenses claims.
She polled 1,872 votes. The Liberal Democrat candidate Qurban Hussain received 9,567 votes.She polled 1,872 votes. The Liberal Democrat candidate Qurban Hussain received 9,567 votes.
Iain Stewart took the Milton Keynes South seat for the Tories in a gain from the Labour MP Phyllis Starkey with a majority of 5,201.
The seat was notionally Tory after boundary changes.
Labour held Luton North, with Kelvin Hopkins, with a majority of 7,520. Conservative Jeremy Brier came second with 13,672.Labour held Luton North, with Kelvin Hopkins, with a majority of 7,520. Conservative Jeremy Brier came second with 13,672.
The Tories won Stevenage after an 8% swing from Labour to the Conservatives.The Tories won Stevenage after an 8% swing from Labour to the Conservatives.
Stephen McPartland received 18,491 votes, with Labour's Sharon Taylor on 14,913 and Lib Dem Julia Davies on 7,432.Stephen McPartland received 18,491 votes, with Labour's Sharon Taylor on 14,913 and Lib Dem Julia Davies on 7,432.
Peter Lilley held Hitchin & Harpenden for the Conservatives after a swing of 6.8% from Labour to the Conservatives, receiving 29,869 votes. Peter Lilley held Hitchin and Harpenden for the Conservatives after a swing of 6.8% from Labour to the Conservatives, receiving 29,869 votes.
Liberal Democrat Nigel Quinton came second with 14,598 votes and Labour's Oliver de Botton garnered 7,413 votes.Liberal Democrat Nigel Quinton came second with 14,598 votes and Labour's Oliver de Botton garnered 7,413 votes.
In Bedford, there was a 5.5% swing from Labour to the Conservatives, with Tory Richard Fuller taking the seat with 17,546 votes.In Bedford, there was a 5.5% swing from Labour to the Conservatives, with Tory Richard Fuller taking the seat with 17,546 votes.
Labour's Patrick Hall came second with 16,193 and Lib Dem Henry Vann was in third with 8,957.Labour's Patrick Hall came second with 16,193 and Lib Dem Henry Vann was in third with 8,957.
Steven Baker held Wycombe for the Tories, taking 23,423 votes compared with Lib Dem Steve Guy's 13,863.Steven Baker held Wycombe for the Tories, taking 23,423 votes compared with Lib Dem Steve Guy's 13,863.
Bedfordshire North East elected Conservative Alistair Burt with 30,989 votes. Liberal Democrat Mike Pitt came second with 12,047.Bedfordshire North East elected Conservative Alistair Burt with 30,989 votes. Liberal Democrat Mike Pitt came second with 12,047.
The party has retained Broxbourne, Hertford and Stortford, Hertsmere, South West Bedfordshire, Chesham & Amersham and Hemel Hempstead.The party has retained Broxbourne, Hertford and Stortford, Hertsmere, South West Bedfordshire, Chesham & Amersham and Hemel Hempstead.
Nadine Dorries retained the Mid Bedfordshire seat.Nadine Dorries retained the Mid Bedfordshire seat.
They also held on to Aylesbury, Mid Bedfordshire and Welwyn Hatfield and Hertfordshire North East, Hertfordshire South West and St Albans.They also held on to Aylesbury, Mid Bedfordshire and Welwyn Hatfield and Hertfordshire North East, Hertfordshire South West and St Albans.
Charles Walker took Broxbourne with 26,844 votes - a majority of 11,509 over Labour candidate Michael Watson.Charles Walker took Broxbourne with 26,844 votes - a majority of 11,509 over Labour candidate Michael Watson.
The seat saw a swing of 6.43% from Labour to the Conservatives.The seat saw a swing of 6.43% from Labour to the Conservatives.
Mark Prisk held Hertford and Stortford with 53.8% of the vote, with Liberal Democrat Andrew Levin coming in second with 26% and Labour's Steve Terry in third with 13.8%.Mark Prisk held Hertford and Stortford with 53.8% of the vote, with Liberal Democrat Andrew Levin coming in second with 26% and Labour's Steve Terry in third with 13.8%.
In Hertsmere, Conservative James Clappison received 26,476 votes, with Labour's Sam Russell polling 8,871 and Lib Dem Anthony Rowlands on 8,210.In Hertsmere, Conservative James Clappison received 26,476 votes, with Labour's Sam Russell polling 8,871 and Lib Dem Anthony Rowlands on 8,210.
Conservative Andrew Selous was re-elected to the South West Bedfordshire seat with 26,815 votes, a majority of 8,277 over Labour.Conservative Andrew Selous was re-elected to the South West Bedfordshire seat with 26,815 votes, a majority of 8,277 over Labour.
There was a swing from Labour to the Conservatives of 7.6%.There was a swing from Labour to the Conservatives of 7.6%.
Conservative shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan won Chesham & Amersham with 60.37% of the vote, with Lib Dem Tim Starkey on 28.50% and Labour's Anthony Gajadharsingh on 5.61%.Conservative shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan won Chesham & Amersham with 60.37% of the vote, with Lib Dem Tim Starkey on 28.50% and Labour's Anthony Gajadharsingh on 5.61%.
In Hemel Hempstead, Tory Mike Penning received 24,721 votes, with Liberal Democrat Richard Grayson on 11,315 and Labour's Ayfer Orhan taking 10,295 votes.In Hemel Hempstead, Tory Mike Penning received 24,721 votes, with Liberal Democrat Richard Grayson on 11,315 and Labour's Ayfer Orhan taking 10,295 votes.
Conservative David Lidington was victorious in Aylesbury, taking 52.17% of the vote, compared with Lib Dem Steven Lambert's 28.44%.Conservative David Lidington was victorious in Aylesbury, taking 52.17% of the vote, compared with Lib Dem Steven Lambert's 28.44%.
In Mid Bedfordshire, Nadine Dorries won with 28,815 votes, with Liberal Democrat Linda Jack on 13,663.In Mid Bedfordshire, Nadine Dorries won with 28,815 votes, with Liberal Democrat Linda Jack on 13,663.
Nadine Dorries retained the Mid Bedfordshire seat.
Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps held Welwyn Hatfield, taking 27,894 votes, with second place Mike Hobday taking 10,471 votes for Labour.Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps held Welwyn Hatfield, taking 27,894 votes, with second place Mike Hobday taking 10,471 votes for Labour.
Conservative Oliver Heald held Hertfordshire North East for the Tories with 26,995 votes, with Liberal Democrat Hugh Annand coming second with 11,801.Conservative Oliver Heald held Hertfordshire North East for the Tories with 26,995 votes, with Liberal Democrat Hugh Annand coming second with 11,801.
David Gauke held Hertfordshire South West for the Conservatives, polling 30,773 votes compared with 15,853 for Liberal Democrat Christopher Townsend and 6,526 for Labour's Harry Mann.David Gauke held Hertfordshire South West for the Conservatives, polling 30,773 votes compared with 15,853 for Liberal Democrat Christopher Townsend and 6,526 for Labour's Harry Mann.
The Tories also held St Albans, with Anne Main receiving 21,533 votes and Liberal Democrat Sandy Walkington getting 19,228.The Tories also held St Albans, with Anne Main receiving 21,533 votes and Liberal Democrat Sandy Walkington getting 19,228.
The seat of Buckingham, where there are 11 candidates standing, is expected to declare on Friday afternoon.The seat of Buckingham, where there are 11 candidates standing, is expected to declare on Friday afternoon.