Robert BucklandSOUTH SWINDON: TORY candidate Robert Buckland was delighted that his party had increased their share of the vote by 2.8 per cent.

Mr Buckland had been up since the crack of dawn delivering leaflets in west Swindon and it seems to have paid off.

He was only narrowly beaten to a place in Parliament.

He won 37.2 per cent of the South Swindon vote compared to Labour's 40.3 per cent.

He said: "It's getting more and more difficult to get people politically engaged, but when issues affect the front door and come in to the household, people care.

"Any illusion this is a safe seat has been blown away this evening.

"This was a hard-fought and cleanly-fought campaign.

"I am very proud of what we have achieved.

"We have come a long way.

"We will be working hard to make our dream of aConservative Government a reality.

"I am extremely pleased with the response I have had on the door from members of the public."