New Liberal Democrat MP Danny Chambers promised to make Winchester “a happier and a healthier place to live” in his victory speech following Thursday’s general election.

Conservative Steve Brine held the seat for 14 years before standing down prior to the 2024 election.

Danny Chambers polled 29,939 votes to win the seat by a margin of 13,821 ahead of Conservative Flick Drummond, previously the Meon Valley MP, who received 16,118.

Reform UK’s Steve Whelan came third with 4,797, followed by Hannah Dawson (Labour) 3,023, Lorraine Estelle (Green) 2,740, Andrew Davis (Social Democratic Party) 146, Chris Barfoot (Independent) 142, Kevin D’Cruze (Independent) 127 and Andy Liming (Hampshire Independents) 44.

The electorate was 78,289 and 57,261 ballot papers were issued - a turnout of 73.2 per cent - and 185 ballot papers were rejected.

Shawford-based vet Danny Chambers said “There’s a lot of people I need to thank” and did his best to name all of them, including his agent, staff, volunteers and family.

On the way to the count at the Winchester Sport and Leisure Park, the Herald encountered the extraordinary sight of an army of Liberal Democrat supporters marching enthusiastically towards the venue in the middle of the night carrying giant orange Lib Dem diamond placards.

They were just some of the “more than 1,000” people involved in Danny Chambers’ campaign.

He said: “Thank you to everyone who delivered leaflets, who knocked on doors, who made phone calls, who put up posters, who did the admin work in the office.

“The reason we had such a big team is you bought into our vision of a more compassionate, a more empathetic politics.

“We know that people are desperate for some kind of change in approach to politics and we’ve been standing here with our vision that everyone in Winchester should be able to get the physical and mental health care that they require and that no-one should be left in a hospital bed for the lack of a social care package.

“We know that there are many families working hard, they’re working long hours, and we think no-one with a full-time job should be going to food banks to feed their family, and we think that no child should be going to school hungry, because everyone should better reach their full educational potential.

“So this is a fresh start, and I want to thank the people of Winchester and the Meon Valley for putting your faith in me, and giving me the honour and the privilege of serving as your next member of parliament.

“I will always stand up for Winchester and I will always do what is right for Winchester and Hampshire.

“Whether you voted for me or not, I will always have your back. I will always do my best to help you and I will not let you down.

“So thank you, every single one of you. We will make Winchester a happier and a healthier place to live.”