The snap election called by Theresa May to shore up her majority in the run up to Brexit has delivered a hung parliament instead – and lost a key player for local government his seat.
Housing minister Gavin Barwell lost his Croydon Central seat, which he held on a 165 majority, in a night that saw other high profile figures including former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and former SNP leader Alex Salmond lose their seats.
Mr Barwell, who wrote a book on how to win a marginal seat, received 24,221 seats to Labour candidate Sarah Jones’ 29,873 – giving her a majority of 5,652.
His departure will be a blow to the Department of Communities and Local Government’s housing plans.
Cabinet Office minister Ben Gummer and Department of Health minister Jane Ellison also lost their seats as voters voiced their dissatisfaction with Brexit and public sector austerity.
Laura Pidcock, a councillor at Northumberland Council, won for Labour in North West Durham while Liz Twist from Gateshead MBC was victorious in the safe Parliamentary seat of Blaydon.
Questions over the future of the prime minister continue to be asked.
