The final declaration of the 2019 election campaign has seen Conservative Derek Thomas returned as the West Cornwall & Isles of Scilly MP for the third time with an increased majority.
Following a count delayed due to severe weather conditions preventing Scilly’s off-island votes being shipped across to St Mary’s, Mr Thomas polled 25,365 votes, with Lib-Dem Andrew George second on 21,085 and Alana Bates (Labour) third (3,553).
Acknowledging what had been another hard-fought contest (he was defending a majority of just 312), Mr Thomas said: “I set out right from the beginning knowing that it would be a difficult seat to hang on to.
“That is why I campaigned positively for a greener and healthier Cornwall and Scilly, focusing on the things that I have been doing for people in this area and will carry on doing now that I have been re-elected.
“It is good to know that the people of West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly continue to put their trust in me despite the deluge of Lib-Dem literature they have been receiving.
“Indeed I have been overwhelmed by the support and good wishes I have received from people from every single part of the constituency during the campaign and am honoured that I will once again represent them in Westminster.
“Above all, I take seriously the democratic will demonstrated by the British people to support Conservative priorities – to get Brexit done, on the UK’s future relationship of trade and co-operation with the EU, on the NHS, schools and policing and for unleashing the potential of our small businesses.”
