AFTER months of campaigning, Swindon turned a deeper shade of blue today as the Conservatives celebrated a ‘stunning’ victory across the board.

Justin Tomlinson had been widely expected to win in North Swindon but few thought he would increase his majority up to almost 12,000.

His result was announced shortly after midnight and a few hours later came the biggest surprise of the night when South Swindon’s Robert Buckland also increased his majority to nearly 6,000.

Both Tories and Labour had campaigned hard in the South Swindon seat, with numerous high-profile visits over recent weeks, but in the end the tight race did not materialise.

Mr Buckland said he would work hard alongside Mr Tomlinson to continue what has been started.

He said: “I am elated but I’m also really humbled by the fact the people of South Swindon have put their trust in me and given me a majority of almost 6,000. It is a vindication I have put in and want to put in for the people of Swindon.

“They have a right to expect their MPs to work hard and me and Justin work as a team.

"We live in the town, we love the town and we want to make it better.”

Anne Snelgrove, who was standing in her third general election in Swindon, did not say whether she would stand in another election but paid tribute to all those who helped in her campaign.

She said: “I am very disappointed on a personal level but also from the point of view of the very many people who wanted to see a Labour government and Labour MP.

"I know they will be bitterly disappointed and I am sorry to have let them down. I’m very for my party who were so enthusiastic and backed me to the hilt.

“But that’s democracy and many more people want Robert than me so we will have to see how the next few years pan out.”

The Conservative success continued in the local elections where the Conservatives increased their majority to seven, taking a seat from Labour in Lydiard and Freshbrook and the Liberal Democrats in Wroughton and Wichelstowe.

It was not a complete disaster for Labour, who took a Lib Dem seat in Eastcott to maintain their number of seats, but the Liberal Democrats now only have two seats.

For the Lib Dems and UKIP, who were hoping to gain a councillor, it was a disappointing night but the Green Party said afterwards they were pleased with how the results had gone.