The defeated Conservative MP for Swindon North, Justin Tomlinson said he would step away from front-line politics after his 14-year tenure came to an end.

Although Mr Tomlinson came into the election into the slightly redrawn and renamed constituency with a 16,000 majority from 2019, he could not resist the tidal wave that swept 250 Conservative MPs out of office.

After the declaration Mr Tomlinson showed grace and good humour, and started his speech: “I’d like to thank the returning officer, the police and all those counting the votes, who have perhaps been too good for my liking tonight.

“This is a dreadful result for the Conservative Party nationally. Colleagues will come up with excuses, they will put spin on it.

“But the reality is, nationally we are a team, there are no excuses, we got the result we deserved.”

He added: “Swindon North, thank you for giving me the opportunity for 14 years.

With his voice cracking with emotion, Mr Tomlison said: “I’m not from a political background, to have that opportunity to champion charities, community groups, and sports groups, and to make a difference. I came from a challenging background, and there are so many people in Swindon who help people stay on a straight path, and I ask Will to continue  that work.”

He paid tribute to his opponent and said: “I’m disappointed to lose, but if I had to choose someone to lose to it is Will Stone” and thanked Mr Stone for his personal help and advice when he suffered security issues.

After leaving the stage Mr Tomlinson, told the Local Democracy Reporter: “We’d run out of road. And as I said, there’ll be excuses made, and blame apportioned but there are no excuses, we lost as a team.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have been allowed to be the MP for North Swindon for 14 years. And when you go into politics you know that this is always possible.

Mr Tomlinson and his wife  have two young daughters and he said: “I’ve served for 24 years starting as a councillor, but now it’s time to start looking after my family.”

Mr Tomlison was first elected for North Swindon in 2010, and in just fourteen he made four defences of the seat, winning three before losing yesterday.

 He was twice a government mister, first for disabled people work and health at the DWP for two and a half years and then a brief spell as minister for energy security and net zero since April this year.

He was also deputy chairman of the Conservative Party with responsibility for campaigning during Borish Johnson’s premiership.

Describing himself as ‘always on Team Boris’ Mr Tomlinson stepped down from the role in order to campaign for Kemi Badenoch to become party leader in the election eventually won by Liz Truss.