In a break from tradition Swindon elected the same MPs for the fourth election running.

Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson were both returned in seats where previous MPs had previously been turfed out after three victories.

But another long-standing trend continued – the result in Swindon mirrored the national picture.

Both Mr Buckland and Mr Tomlinson increased their majorities over their respective Labour challengers in South and North Swindon – and so did their party leader, Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Heading into the election with a minority government he emerged after a night of triumph with a 80-seat majority.

Reflecting on the success of the night before when he spoke to the Adver yesterday, Mr Buckland said: “I’ll want to see increased investment in economic regeneration of our town and town centre, more investment in our hospital and our schools.

"I want to improve our roads infrastructure with even more funding coming from central government to continue to make Swindon a great place to live and work.”

Mr Buckland was particularly pleased his party were able to pick up seats from Labour’s traditional heartland, in the midlands, Wales, and the north and north east of England.

He said: “We’ll be able to be a one-nation government. The Conservatives will be able to represent the whole of the country.

“That will be a huge opportunity, as well as a challenge for the Conservative and Unionist Party.”

One of those challenges is that while the Conservatives did well in England and Wales, the Scottish Nationalist Party had a very good night north of the border. It seems likely party leader Nicola Sturgeon will press for another referendum on Scottish independence.

Mr Buckland, who as Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor might be involved in such a constitutional change, said: “I still believe passionately that Scotland is better of with us. We’re better together.”

In North Swindon, Mr Tomlinson, also a government minister in the Department for Work and Pensions had a very good night.

He said: “This was the biggest margin in the history of all the Swindon constituencies, and the biggest vote share.

“Swindon is my home town and I share and understand the issues. People want Brexit to be done, so we can target on with record investment in the NHS, record investment in schools and and 20,000 more police officers.

“In Swindon we need to keep attracting businesses to relocate to invest here. Post-Honda that’s very important for growth and investments, and people voted for us because it's the Conservatives who encourage businesses to thrive.”

In a speech after his victory was confirmed Mr Johnson said he would come good on his promise to get Brexit done, saying it is “the irrefutable, irresistible, unarguable decision of the British people”.

In Swindon that was one of the things voters wanted from the newly-empowered government

Hazel Buckner, 74, said: “I want to get Brexit done. I voted for Brexit and I want the government to get on and do it now.

“Other than that I want more money for the NHS. It’s been difficult to see a doctor and the waiting times at the hospital are getting worse.”

John Hartness said he wasn’t a fan or Brexit, or the Prime Minister, but even he found some comfort: “With such a big win, Boris Johnson might have the time to sort a good deal out properly with the EU. It’s still going to be hugely important to trade with Europe after we leave, so I want him to get that right.”