Grant Shapps out as Labour take seven seats - General Election recap

Last night was full of twists and turns as multiple constituencies flipped from Conservative as part of a national swing to Labour, including in Welwyn Hatfield where key cabinet member Grant Shapps lost his seat after 19 years.

The Tories were also defending several seats where big names from the party had stepped down, including Sir Mike Penning, Sir Oliver Heald and Sir Charles Walker.

Hitchin, and Harpenden and Berkhamsted were due to be contested for the first time ever after they were formed in a 2023 review of constituencies.

Read the all highlights from last night below:

Grant Shapps loses seat 

Prominent cabinet member Grant Shapps has lost his seat in Welwyn Hatfield after 19 years.

Mr Shapps was first elected in the constituency in 2005 and served in various senior positions such as Conservative Party Co-Chairman, Home Secretary and most recently Secretary of State for Defence.

Grant Shapps congratulates Andrew Lewin. (Image: Dan Mountney) He was pictured shaking the hand of Labour’s Andrew Lewin who beat him with 19,877 votes to the former Conservative MP’s 16,078.

Labour dominate Hertfordshire

Labour came out on top across the county as they wrestled six seats off the Conservatives and won a newly formed constituency.

So-called “bellweather” seats Watford and Stevenage both turned red with newly elected MPs Matt Turmaine and Kevin Bonavia.

New Watford MP Matt Turmaine. (Image: Newsquest) Josh Dean became one of the youngest MPs in parliament at 24 years old when he beat former Tory MP Julie Marson in Hertford and Stortford, while Alistair Strathern was elected in Hitchin after switching from being the MP for Mid Bedfordshire.

Labour also overturned large Conservative majorities when candidates David Taylor and Chris Hinchliff took control of Hemel Hempstead and North East Hertfordshire.

The long-standing former Tory MPs Sir Mike Penning and Sir Oliver Heald had chosen to step down after serving the seats for 19 and 32 years respectively.

Lib Dems win newly created seat

The Liberal Democrats became the first party to win newly formed constituency Harpenden and Berkhamsted when Victoria Collins secured a majority of 10,708.

MPs Daisy Cooper and Victoria Collins at the results last result. (Image: Liberal Democrats)
Deputy Liberal Democrat leader Daisy Cooper was also re-elected in St Albans as she increased her votes from 28,867 in 2019 to 29,222.

Conservatives defend three seats  

There was some consolation for the Conservatives however as they retained three constituencies in the county. 

Former Deputy Prime Minister Mr Dowden held on to his Hertsmere seat with a comfortable margin of 21,451 votes, beating the former TV-star and Labour hopeful Josh Tapper who had 13,459.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden was re-elected in Hertsmere. (Image: Hertsmere Borough Council) Gagan Mohindra was re-elected in South West Hertfordshire with 16,458 votes while Lib Dem candidate Sally Symington received 12,002.

Former Broxbourne Council leader Lewis Cocking beat Labour's Catherine Deakin to retain the seat for the Conservatives with 15,810 votes to her 12,952, as former Tory MP Sir Charles Walker had stepped down as MP after 19 years.