MP Anne SnelgroveSOUTH Swindon has a new Member of Parliament but the seat is still held by Labour.

Anne Snelgrove gained a narrow victory of less than 1,400 votes, over Tory candidate Robert Buckland, to become the area's MP.

But Labour's share of the South Swindon vote was 11 per cent down from the last election in 2001, leaving Mrs Snelgrove with a majority of just 3.1 per cent.

It was also a good night for the Liberal Democrats who saw their share of the vote increase by 4.9 per cent, compared to the Tories' rise of 2.8 per cent.

Mrs Snelgrove said that while she was pleased with the result she was also relieved at having come through after such a close contest.

She said: "I've relieved and I don't think it's hit me yet that I am the MP for South Swindon. I never saw this as anything other than a marginal seat and I was expecting it to be close, so it's not a surprise to me."

And she said there were a number of reasons for the decline in Labour support.

"I am not the incumbent and there is always a bit of a dip," she said.

"In 2001 there was no creditable Tory presence in the town. This time there was. That, with the Iraq war, has meant it went down considerably."

But in a triumphant speech Mrs Snelgrove spoke of her rise from growing up on a council estate to becoming a member of parliament and promised to ensure the children of Swindon would have the same opportunities as her.

She said: "I just want to say how proud I am that a kid from a council estate can be elected a member of parliament.

"I would like to thank the people of Swindon for putting their trust in me.

"We have heard what you are saying to us on the doorsteps and I have listened and will continue to represent you at parliament level so that you a voice there that is truly reflecting your views.

"My pledge to the people of Swindon is to make sure that all the children of Swindon have the same life chances that I have had.

"I will dedicate myself to the children of Swindon and work tirelessly for them."

Mrs Snelgrove also promised to remain in tune with the feelings of people in the town.

"I am absolutely delighted to have been elected," she said.

"I have listened very carefully to what the people of Swindon have said to me on the doorstep and I promise to continue to do the same."

Mrs Snelgrove thanked her husband Mike for his support during the campaign and Parks councillor Fay Howard.

She also took time to mention Julia Drown, who stepped down as South Swindon MP before this election.

"Julia was a great MP," she said. "And she is going to be a hard act to follow. But I am not Julia and I will do me best for Swindon."

Mrs Drown was not present at the election but she has been an active figure in the campaign.

Results

Anne Snelgrove (Lab) 17,534

Robert Buckland (Con) 16,181

Sue Stebbing (Lib Dem) 7,322

Bill Hughes (Green) 1,234

Stephen Halden (UKIP) 955

Alan Hayward (Ind) 193

John Williams (Ind) 53

Turnout 60.2 per cent

Don't miss the Evening Advertiser's special breakfast results edition today.