The Conservatives have held Brighton Kemptown – but with a reduced majority, bucking the trend across the country.
Simon Kirby picked up 18,428 votes, while his his Labour chall
enger Nancy Platts came second with 17,738 votes – just 690 votes behind.
After being declared the winner, Mr Kirby thanked the other candidates, his wife and family and voters.
He said: “I will continue to work hard for all of you regardless of which party you support.”
In third place Ian Buchanan from UKIP won 4,446 votes while Davy Jones from the Greens came fourth with 3,187 votes and Lib Dem Paul Chandler fifth with 1,365.
Socialist Party of Great Britain candidate Jacqueline Shodeke polled 73 was sixth and Matt Taylor, Independent, won 69 votes.
The count was delayed because of uncertaintly over a number of ballots which it was not clear whether had been spoilt or not.
In the end, there were 177 spoilt ballot papers. The turnout was 67.03 per cent.
