Peter Viggers, veteran MP of 26 years, reclaimed his Gosport seat but saw his majority slashed by more than half for the second consecutive general election.

His majority of 2,621 - or 17.7 per cent - over Labour challenger Richard Wiliams compared with his 1997 majority of 6,258 and a previous election majority of about 16,000.

The Gosport electorate showed some form of apathy by turning out at 58 per cent of those eligible to vote, compared with more than 70 per cent in 1997.

The election in Gosport was largely fought on one issue - that of the Royal Hospital Haslar.

All candidates reported the threat of closure of the former military hospital was the key issue on the doorstep during their campaign.

Welcoming his re-election, Peter Viggers said: "I am delighted to accept the mandate of the people of my hometown.

"Unfortunately this was achieved on a very low voter turnout. We should value our vote - we don't want to be like some non-democratic regimes where they don't have the vote."

He then went on to address the national position of the Conservative party, calling on William Hague to stay on as leader of his party for at least another 12 months.

He said: "After the 1997 general election, John Major resigned immediately after losing to Tony Blair but that left us without a leader and in a dire situation. I have asked William Hague to remain as leader of the Conservatives for at least a year to show a united front and give the new Conservative MPs a guiding hand.

"We can then use that 12 months to review the leadership issue sensibly and calmly."

Richard Williams (Lab) said he was disappointed after running a 'serious campaign'.

He said: "This is the first time that Labour has recorded such a close result ever in Gosport.

"This reflects the national historic result by Tony Blair, with Labour winning a second full term for the first time.

"I am delighted with the support I have received in Gosport, which gives us a platform from which to go forward at the next election with an even better result."

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