Dominic Grieve was in high spirits at the electoral counts in Beaconsfield. In the fourth safest Conservative seat in the country the outcome was never going to be in question.

But his opponents were all happy with the respective progress they made in their campaign, and the support from people across Beaconsfield.

The shadow attorney general appeared cool and collected awaiting the final count.

He said: "I was very happy with the campaign. It has been a pleasant campaign. It has given me the opportunity to get out and meet a lot of people.

"I have had a national element to my campaign as well. I have travelled a lot for the party. And it has been very interesting to contrast my constituency with the north Yorkshire mill town I have visited. We were received well up there. It should be very interesting to see the results tonight. I think the Government will be surprised."

His wife and nephew were at the count soaking up the atmosphere. The leader of South Bucks District Council, Cllr Peter Hardy, and outgoing chairman Cllr Frank Vowater, were also showing their support.

Mr Grieve was complementary about his competitors. He said: "The campaign in Beaconsfield has been great. All my opponents have been charming."

Labour candidate Alex Sobel was happy with his campaign.

He said at 11pm: "It is absolutely obvious from looking at the votes that I am not going to win. But I am fairly confident we are going to do well. It is obvious from the exit polls the Labour Party will have a historic third term. Putting the Conservatives in opposition for another four years.

John Fagan, from UKIP, added: "I have come here to win.

"But I do not want to be overly optimistic or I will be disappointed."

DOMINIC GRIEVE CON: 24,126

ALEX SOBEL LAB: 8,422

PETER CHAPMAN LD:8,873

JOHN FAGAN UKIP: 2,102