There were two whirlwind victories for the Conservatives in Bromley as they held on to the Orpington and Bromley and Biggin Hill constituencies.
After exit polls predicted Labour would claim victory in two south east London constituencies, Conservative candidates unexpectedly won both seats.
Conservatives Gareth Bacon and Peter Fortune won their respective seats in Orpington and in Bromley and Biggin Hill.
In Bromley and Biggin Hill, a newly re-established constituency for Bromley, Fortune beat Labour rival Oana Olaru-Holmes by 15,929 votes to 15,627.
It was the last constituency result for Bromley to be announced after a recount took place due to the totals being so close.
Fortune said: “I haven’t fought a six-week campaign. I’ve fought a 12-year campaign.
“We’re incredibly proud of our win tonight. Obviously, we have to have a good hard look at what we’re offering as a party to the country but we’re incredibly proud to have triumphed through the protest vote.”
In Orpington, Bacon beat Labour candidate Ju Owens by a wider margin of more than 5,000 votes, winning 17,504 to Owens’s 12,386.
This result continues the Conservatives’ domination of Orpington, which they have held since the 1970 general election.
Bacon revealed his top priorities included protecting the green belts which he believes the Labour government poses a threat to, stopping the persecution of motorists, and improving public transport.
He said: “People do need to drive their cars and they need to stop being treated as cash cows.”
He also promised to put more police in their town centres and the other regional areas around the constituency as he believes London Mayor Sadiq Khan was centring them in Greater London.
He added: “Although crime is low, fear of crime remains high.”
Fortune was elected to Bromley Council in 2010 and served as the executive assistant to the Environment before becoming Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board.
He was also Deputy Leader of Bromley Council between 2017 and 2021 and portfolio holder for Children, Education and Families between 2015 and 2021.
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