Could re-elected MP Martin Vickers become part of Conservative opposition's Front Bench team?

 

Blue-eyed boy. Martin Vickers  said he was "extremely honoured" to have been elected to the new constituency of Brigg and Immingham (which includes Scartho and Waltham)

HIS better than-expected-success in the new Brigg and Immingham constituency means that Martin Vickers is now one of the most senior members of the Conservatives' parliamentary party.

In the past, he has never shown any appetite to take a Front Bench role, but, with many of his former colleagues now out of office, he may be persuaded to reconsider.

At the count, Scartho-based Mr Vickers was sporting the 'lucky' rosette that his late mother made for him many years ago when he was starting out as a council candidate in Grimsby.

After making a short and modest victory speech, he was asked why things had gone off the rails for the Conservative Government.

He said what was happening in Britain reflected what was happening across the rest of Europe.

"Governments are extremely unpopular," he observed. "We live in a troubled world."

The results declaration did not come until just before 5am today - much later than projected. 

Results:

* Najmul Hussain - Labour Party: 12,662

* Paul Ladlow - Reform UK: 10,594

* Eleanor Rylance - Liberal Democrats: 1,442

* Martin Vickers - Conservative Party: 15,905

* Amie Watson - Green Party: 1,905

The turn-out was 58.3 per cent.