A former Brighton councillor saw off a strong challenge from the Liberal Democrats to hold Lewes for the Conservatives at the general election.
Maria Caulfield, who represented Moulsecoomb and Bevendean on Brighton and Hove City Council, kept her Lewes seat in the House of Commons with an increased majority.
She polled 26,820 votes – or 49.5 per cent – giving her a majority of 5,508 over the Liberal Democrat candidate Kelly-Marie Blundell who came second with 21,312 votes – or 39.3 per cent.
The Greens stood aside in the seat, having polled 2,784 votes in the May 2015 general election, when Miss Caulfield won the seat from Lib Dem Norman Baker with a majority of just 1,083.
UKIP was also absent from the ballot paper. Two years ago former Portslade factory worker Ray Finch, a South East England MEP, picked up 5,427 votes to finish third.
Labour did field a candidate at the general election yesterday (Thursday 8 June). Brighton councillor Dan Chapman, who represents Queen’s Park, polled 6,060 votes or 11.2 per cent.
The turnout was 54,192 – or 76.4 per cent.
