image credit: Huw Merriman
Come rain or shine, MP for Bexhill and Battle, Huw Merriman was up at 5:00am on General Election Day 2019, the day which may go down in history, as “the earthquake election” that radically changed the electoral landscape of the country. Conservatives win biggest majority since Margaret Thatcher in 1987. Huw Merriman in the safe seat of Bexhill and Battle sees his majority increase. In Eastbourne, Lib Dem candidate, Stephen lost to Conservative, Caroline Ansell. In Hastings and Rye the Conservatives hold the seat with newcomer, Sally-Ann Hart, with an increased majority.
In an extraordinary General Election yesterday (December 12), the Conservative Party has won an 80 seat majority.
The BBC Exit Poll last night predicted a majority of 86, proof of the accuracy came today (13 December), giving the Conservative Party a 80 majority.
This is the best result for the Conservative Party since Margaret Thatcher in 1987.
This was the worst result for the Labour Party since 1935. No party in this country has ever come back from this position in a further election to win a majority. This may mean that the Labour Party can not win the Election in 2024 either.
The country appears to have made the decision based one simple premise “Let’s Get Brexit Done”.
What will happen in Scotland with the SNP winning 48 seats is yet to be seen. Questions about the future of the United Kingdom will come into sharp relief.
In the constituency of Bexhlil and Battle, sitting MP Huw Merriman saw votes of 37,590, with a vote share of 63.6%, an increase of 1.6%.
Christine Bayliss came second for the Labour Party. She saw votes of 11,531, (19.5% of the votes) a 5.2% decrease.
Liberal Democrat, Martin Saunders had votes of 7,280, a vote share of 12.3%. The Green Candidate, Jonathan Kent saw 2,692, a vote share of 4.6%
Bexhill and Battle MP Huw Merriman, began Polling Day at 5:00am in Eastbourne to support colleague, Caroline Ansell, who was standing in Eastbourne. He tweeted, “@HuwMerriman @Caroline_Ansell #Eastbourne #ToryCanvass we’re having fun how about you? Rain, wind, nothing can hold back this gun team @cwowomen”
He is yet to comment on his victory today on his twitter feed.
In Eastbourne the Lib Dems lost to the Conservatives. For the Conversative Party Caroline Ansell won 48.9% of the vote share against 41% for LibDem candidate Stephen Lloyd.
Stephen Lloyd commented, “Dear all. As you’ll know by now I lost the election and will no longer be Eastbourne’s MP. Every minute of every day was a gift you gave me which I will cherish the memory of for the rest of my life. Thank you”.
In Hastings and Rye the Conservatives held the seat with newcomer Sally-Ann Hart, with an increase in the vote share of 2.7%.
Jeremy Corbyn for the Labour Party said he would not lead the party into another election.
Jo Swinson lost her seat which ended her career as an MP and ended her leadership of the Liberal Democrats.
Thursday 12 December 2019 may go down in the history books as “the earthquake election”, that radically changed the electoral landscape of the country.
