In one of the closest fought elections ever seen in Southampton Itchen, Conservative candidate Royston Smith beat Labour’s Simon Letts by just 31 votes.

Recount after recount after recount meant candidates, election agents and the media were kept waiting until 5.30am for the result.

Thanking his election team, and graciously, his opponent, Royston Smith said the campaign run by Simon Letts was “very close” and it showed Letts has “the very best intentions for Southampton.”

He added that Letts could easily go for a parliamentary career - but that he as leader of the council he is putting Southampton “back on the map.”

Speaking after the results were drawn Smith added that the close call shows how “healthy” the campaign was - and that politicians need to be “on top of our game” in order to do their best for the electorate.

He added that his knowledge of the city means he knew the results would be close - but not that close and that although Theresa May has not had the result she wanted, she was right to call the election and she should remain Prime Minister.

Simon Letts on the other hand said that losing so closely in his first attempt at taking a parliamentary seat showed the “extraordinary dedication” of his team - and he looks forward to seeing everyone at the local elections.