Kent's longest serving MP re-elected in General Election
Sir Roger Gale will continue his career in Parliament
Last updated 5th Jul 2024
Kent's longest serving MP Sir Roger Gale has won the new seat of Herne Bay and Sandwich continuing his 41 years in politics.
The MP was first elected to North Thanet in 1983 when Margaret Thatcher won her second general election, but boundary changes meant he had to run for a new seat in a new constituency.
He polled 17,243, ahead of Labour's Helen Whitehead on 14,744.
Amelia Randall for Reform UK was third with 10,602.
The impact of the Reform vote is stark across Kent, coming close in many votes.
Who were the Herne Bay & Sandwich Candidates?
Helen Whitehead (Labour)
Amelia Randall (Reform UK)
Angie Curwen (Liberal Democrats)
Roger Gale (Conservative)
Thea Barrett (Green)
The Tories have held 6 seats in total across Kent. They hold onto Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Maidstone and Malling, Weald of Kent, Faversham and Mid Kent and Herne Bay & Sandwich.
Nationally, a landslide victory has put Sir Keir Starmer on course to get the keys to Number 10.
His party's majority is guaranteed to be more than 100.
The Labour leader says the country can now "get its future back" - adding that "change begins now".
Outgoing prime minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat after a "sobering" night for his party saw 11 senior ministers lose their seats.