Stephen Crabb increases majority in Preseli Pembrokeshire

The Conservative had little more than 300 votes to spare when he won back in 2017, but this time round was a much more comfortable evening for Mr Crabb as he saw off his Labour rival Philippa Thompson with a majority of more than 5,000.

Mr Crabb’s victory mirrored much of what was going on throughout the rest of the country as the Tories swept to a large majority in Parliament.

Mr Crabb thanked his campaign team, adding: "Politics can be nice, it can be polite and it can be kind.

"I felt it was a really positive campaign from the Conservatives in Preseli Pembrokeshire."

He said the country had experienced a ‘remarkable set of results’, and Pembrokeshire was no exception.

He added: “I am overwhelmed to be returned with such a majority.

“A huge thanks to the people of Pembrokeshire for putting their faith in me. I am very grateful for the support I have received.”

Labour candidate Philippa Thompson said: “I look now to our MP to stand up on everyone’s behalf.”

She extended her thanks to Pembrokeshire County Council staff and the police for their work on polling day.

“Thanks to my team who have been out knocking on doors and talking about what matters to people,” she said.

Liberal Democrat candidate Thomas Hughes said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to have this experience. I am not going away any time soon.

“It’s important to be out there helping people, doing the decent thing, doing what politicians should be about.”

Cris Tomos, Plaid Cymru’s candidate, said his team had been out campaigning in the wind, rain and hail over the past weeks.

He said: “Stephen, I am sure that you will do your best for Preseli Pembrokeshire.”

Full result

Stephen Crabb (C) 21,381 (50.40%, +7.03%)

Philippa Thompson (Lab) 16,319 (38.47%, -4.16%)

Cris Tomos (PC) 2,776 (6.54%, +0.12%)

Tom Hughes (LD) 1,943 (4.58%, +1.96%)

Conservative majority 5,062 (11.93%)

5.59% swing Labour to Conservative

Electorate 59,586; Turnout 42,419 (71.19%, -0.89%)