South Results Election 2017

Welcome to an election results special here on South Today.

Well, is this what you expected when you woke up this morning?

It's been a night of surprises and no more

Here's the emerging political picture.

Yesterday, the political map of the region was Tory blue,

This morning, there's three new splashes of colour

after Labour won in Reading East and Portsmouth South

while the Liberal Democrats took Oxford West and Abingdon.

Conservative support remains strong but majorities have been reduced

with Labour coming second in almost every seat.

For the results in your constituency, keep an eye

on the bottom of your screen where we'll be updating

We'll also be bringing you reaction from the night's

winners and losers and exploring what the new political

landscape means for the region with Professor Gerry Stoker.

First, here's Allen Sinclair with a round-up of the south's key results.

Portsmouth South was the first shock of the night.

Once regarded as a safe Lib Dem seat, it went Conservative in 2015.

This morning, Labour's Stephen Morgan won, knocking Flick Drummond

She had earlier said she had been against the snap election.

Reading East had been held by former Culture Minister

Labour's Matt Rodda overturning a 6,500 majority.

Two years ago and pre-referendum, Ukip were on a high, taking second

But, as was widely predicted with Brexit now won,

their share of the vote collapsed, Gillian Keegan tripping over herself

to celebrate retaining the Tory seat after claiming much of that Ukip

vote, and pushing them down into fifth.

If a hung parliament compromises a hard Brexit then, take it from me,

the UK Independence Party will be coming back.

The Lib Dems notched up one win, Layla Moran stealing Oxford West

and Abingdon from another former minister, Nicola Blackwood,

The Greens had thrown their efforts at the Isle of Wight.

But new man Bob Seely held on for the Tories, retaining that

It is clear that the Conservatives do still dominate here in the south.

Many long-serving MPs have been returned, but two-thirds are back

Like Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt after facing very targeted

opposition. The NHS is in trouble and he seems

to be in denial. Until he takes it seems leaked and shows he can look

after the NHS and help it to flourish, then people will not be

satisfied. But some, like Southampton,

Itchen's Royston Smith, In Southampton Itchen, it took three

recounts to find the winner. Conservative Royston Smith hanging

on by just 31 votes. By contrast, the Labour MP

for the other half of the city Alan Whitehead really matched

the majority he achieved Our political editor

Peter Henley was there. For those watching and waiting

at home, and those doing the counting, it was a night that

required stamina and patience, Labour MP Alan Whitehead

who represented Southampton Itchen, the west of the city,

realised early on he had more But then, a nail-biting series

of recounts in the Southampton Test constituency up until 6am

when sitting Conservative MP Royston Smith was declared

the winner by just 31 votes. It's a different position

to when we started. That is a worse position

than when we started, so I think we have to acknowledge

that this hasn't been a great night. If you are talking purely on results

tonight which we have seen, that probably wasn't the right

thing to do. However I understand

exactly why she did it, and I hoped that the result

would have been But it isn't, and we are going

to have to deal with it. Are you looking forward to another

election possibly soon? Right now, I have to say that one

of the last things I would welcome Bearing in mind I think looking

at my little app on my phone, run up the equivalent of several

others during the course of So I think a time of slightly less

frenetic activity would be One city, two very different

results, and much to ponder Some typefaces, let us join Peter

Henley who is at Southampton Guildhall, how much do think there

was a generation gap by people voted?

It was all the university towns where things really changed, Oxford,

Oxford West went to the Lib Dems, Oxford East, Labour doubled their

majority, Bournemouth, Southampton, Reding, the places where the

students live, which voted much more strongly for Labour. In Bournemouth,

the MPs that lost a lot of votes, the Conservatives, bucking the trend

in the rest of Dorset where they were bought off by the promise from

Jeremy Corbyn to abolish tuition fees. Did they like the idealism of

youth? Look at what trees are made was saying to older people,

abolishing the triple lock on pensions, means testing winter fuel

payments, she was also talking about getting them to sell their houses to

pay for social care, those are on the table yet they loyally trooped

out to vote for her, but young people fired up by what happened in

the European referendum, said they would vote for Jeremy Corbyn.

Theresa May visited Southampton Test, she did not visit Itchen, did

the leaders target the wrong seats? It feels like the Conservatives and

bishops, two visits to Southampton in the wrong constituency.

Thank you, we will talk to you again.

Joining me now is Gerry Stoker, professor of politics

I know you have been up all night on radio Solent. Labour back in the

South, and increased share of the vote.

It is a powerful performance. Not only did they achieve those great

results in urban areas but Shire counties, moving into second

position. It has a lot to do with the youth vote and the fact the

Conservative campaign was targeted at older voters.

The increased share for Labour, but the Tory majority very much down.

There was a lack of capacity and enthusiasm in the Conservative

campaign. Did that come from the leadership?

No doubt at all. Theresa May had a poor campaign. She

did not turn up for debates, people saw it and took it on board.

She looked rather weak and did not make any effort to appeal to younger

voters. She was reliant on the voters stay with her.

Thank you very much. It's been a difficult

night for the Liberal They have taken back

a seat they once held in the north of the region,

Oxford West and Abingdon. But further south, the party's

performance has suffered yet again. They were hopeful they could win

back Portsmouth South from the Conservatives

after losing it in 2015. But in a shock result,

the seat went to Labour instead. In Reading, another Labour win

from the Conservatives with Rob Wilson losing

the Reading East seat he'd First, though, Alastair Fee

reports on the night's Stephen James Morgan,

Labour Party, 18,290. Stephen Morgan, born

and bred in Fratton, has lived in Portsmouth all his life

and tonight delivered one of the big I wasn't quite expecting this result

and I think what we have seen tonight is results that

are surprising people We offered a really positive

manifesto and I hope we get the opportunity to deliver on those

commitments that we set Early into the night,

he looked confident, while the Conservative Flick

Drummond having just spent two years as the sitting MP appeared

increasingly vulnerable. It took me a few days

to get over having one. Labour have all sorts of ideas

appealing to the younger voter. I understand people have had

austerity for a long time. The constituency was a Lib Dem

target having achieved Gerald Vernon Jackson, previously

leader of the city council, had hoped to make gains,

but finished third. Thanks to the Liberal Democrat

team who worked so hard, who put a huge amount

of effort into it. I'm sorry I haven't delivered more

for you, my apologies. This turned out to be a historic

night for Labour and for the city. Our campaign was about setting out

a positive plan for Portsmouth, Tomorrow I was planning

to join the gym. In May 2016 Stephen

Morgan was elected as Just a year on, and he's

the first Labour MP to hold Reding East saw its highest voter

numbers for a quarter of its entry so was it new younger voters who

swung the seat Labour's way? Labour Party, 27,000...

This campaign has been for young people, a campaign about policy and

a campaign about leadership. I would like to pay tribute to the leader of

the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn. A visit which showed Jeremy Corbyn

has as much faith in that order as the new MP has in him.

This man is going to be your MP Friday week, OK.

That has it listed and inspired this campaign and set a new tone for

politics in the South. So, after 12 years in the job,

Conservative Rob Wilson is now without one.

Naturally I am very disappointed that I haven't one but I leave

extremely proud of the record that I have.

Tory Alcock Sharma was elected in Reding West albeit with a reduced

majority. I am pleased I held onto the seat

and I am pleased the people put their faith in me for this coming

term. I will be a hard-working

constituency MP campaigning for better funding for

schools and hospitals, to stop our Brexit,

get a fair deal for renters and to build more affordable housing.

Really, really proud. Shocked, I wasn't expecting it, even this

morning I didn't think he would do it, a great feeling.

The result in Reading, with one Conservative seat

and now one Labour, is perhaps a good reflection

of the picture that's emerging nationally.

So, with the margin between the two parties narrowing,

and a hung Parliament on the horizon, how

are Berkshire residents waking up to the news?

Ben, it's a a tale of two constituencies.

red is back in Reding at least in part. Reding East as you heard has a

new Labour MP. Matt Rodda. That means the incumbent Rob Wilson is

out, he has been here since 2005. Very much a blue area in Berkshire.

We will be talking to Matt Rodda in a moment. This is the reaction from

the commuters using Reding Station. With the early morning deliveries

at Reading Station came the news that this huge commuter hub now

stands in a Labour constituency. This is the point where Reading West

and Reading East divide. People now finding themselves either

on right or left side of the tracks. Reaction was certainly varied,

ranging from surprised. But, in general, the mood

was one of unsurety. I voted Labour, so, happy

about that, but obviously I feel like a hung

Parliament is probably But, yes, I hope

they're going to do OK, No, the red shirt is for

cheering up work day. I can't really say I am

pleased or displeased. But given everything that

has happened with all I think we are always going to get

some wrinkle along the way. You are standing in a Labour

consitutency that for ten years After a decade of Tory domination,

voters in Reading reflecting Is that is something the town can

once again get on board with? Matt Rodda joins us now, did you

expect this? No, no, I was expecting to narrowly

lose, we had seen a lot of increase in support labour which is

heartening but Rob Wilson had a big majority, over 6500 in 2015 and I am

frankly very surprised they managed to have such a great result, it is a

tribute to the hard work of local campaigners and the shift in views

across Redding. Is it the young people that one knew

this seat? Largely but not entirely, there has

been a mood change and in many similar parts of the south-east

where people are tired of cuts especially to schools and the NHS

which has affected us badly here. We have seen problems at the Royal Box

accident and emergency which has not met its waiting time targets. Local

schools have been suffering. Serious cuts to them. Local heads have been

asking for more money from parents which has caused deep concern.

Thank you very much. He will be sworn in on Tuesday, he says he has

a lot of work to do until then. Very much reflecting the national

picture. Professor Gerry Stoker

from Southampton University is here. How did you assess the Labour

campaign coming he did not think it was just the younger generation, but

they got through to people and what they wanted to talk about.

Undoubtedly the case. But also young people were important especially as

they have always been a group that wouldn't turn out so well.

Jeremy Corbyn appealed to them directly and to a group of activists

in constituencies. Getting that young vote out lead to a 6% increase

in turnout in some of these constituencies the Labour Party was

winning. Theresa May, strong and stable,

Brexit, a different campaign, which has turned out to be a disaster.

Her campaign fell apart when it was promoted, focused on her leadership,

then she did not show that leadership. The sad thing for

Britain is she now no longer has a mandate. If the Conservative Party

were to replace her with another leader, they wouldn't have a mandate

either. A weakness as we go into Brexit?

It is a big problem which has been created by what will now be looked

at by many Tories as an unnecessary election.

In the north of the region, the story of the night

was in Oxford West and Abingdon where blue turned to yellow.

As our political reporter Bethan Phillips reports.

It was the victory that's even surprised her.

Overturning a Tory majority of nearly 10,000 votes, Layla Moran

became the new Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon.

This is an extraordinary results, I will be very honest,

I am delighted to be elected as the MP for

We have to go away as a party and understand exactly

what it is that they want going forward.

And in Oxford East, it was Labour's night.

The Conservatives had targeted this seat sensing weakness

as Labour's Andrew Smith stepped down after 30 years.

But Anneliese Dodds did more than hold on here for Labour.

And it was a young crowd cheering her on.

The fact Annaliese has increased that by 10,000 is absolutely insane.

We have had a lot of support from young Labour members but also

young people who decided they want to get involved

Eyes were on Swindon as the vote came in.

It's often seen as a bell-weather for the rest of the country.

A very tight race between Labour and the Conservatives.

But, in the end, both of the town's seats remain blue.

Meanwhile, in Aylesbury, Conservative David Liddington

In Buckingham, John Bercow has been returned as Speaker.

The main parties don't traditionally stand against him.

And with nearly 2,000 spoilt ballot papers this time around,

he's vowing to raise that issue in Parliament.

To ask my colleagues on that committee to look at the system

and to assess from available options whether they think a better

Buckingham Independent Scott Raven attracted more than 5,000 votes

He's a teacher and will be leading a lesson in politics later today.

His pupils probably aren't the only ones learning politics can be tough.

Leila Moran arrived at the count and told reporters she did not think she

had done it. This was the seat bolsters said was too close to call

and that was the case right up until the announcement. Let me give you

some background. To give you a bit of background,

the Conservatives won Oxford West and Abingdon in 2010

but by just 176 votes. They consolidated that

majority back in 2015. But this is an area that voted

strongly to remain in the EU. And I think that has had a bearing

on today's swing back Of course, much of our

region remains blue. There were Conservative

holds for Witney, Henley, But many of our Tories have

seen their majorities cut. And of course it's a very different

morning to the one Theresa May Win or hold, there'll be some

new faces in Westminster Among them is Bob Seely,

the new Conservative candidate Andrew Turner stood down

earlier this year after reportedly telling students that

homosexuality was wrong. The Tories saw their

majority increase. Seely, Bob, the Conservative

Party, 38,190. This man strengthening

the Conservatives' grip on the country's biggest

constituency. To fight for a better deal

for our unique and special island. Bob Seely has been well prepared

for power by the party. After some time spent in the Army,

he worked as an island councillor which he says makes him well aware

of the problems it faces. There's lots of things we can be

doing for it to come together. Better education, better care

for the elderly as well, and unifying health care with adult

social care is really important. Protecting our landscape

so we can attract tourists. Labour came second, their best

on the island in nearly 60 years. There's been a non-Tory vote

searching for a home. And the Labour Party has been

saying for a long time, This time it has,

and that is fantastic. Ukip meanwhile were almost

completely wiped out. They got nearly 15,000

votes two years ago. We won't be disheartened

and we won't go away. We will be the party

that defends Brexit. That is likely to remain

an important issue on an island that Just one challenge

facing their new man in. James Ingham, BBC

South Today, in Cowes. Some final thoughts, everyone is

talking about it, things could change rapidly today.

Do you think Theresa May will stay? Even if she decides she can stay and

worked towards a minority Government, there could be a

leadership challenge in the near future.

For the Labour Party the challenge is to try and move from a decent

position to a position where they can talk about winning a majority

which is still a big step. What does this say about British

politics? Is it now another two parties again?

The share of vote shows we have begun to return to a two party

system. The other feature which makes it

very consecrated is people seem to be willing to change their vote

significantly. It even if we have returned to a the Buttner party

system, it may be it may change in the future.

Thank you. I think you ought to go home and sleep!

Let us go to Southampton Guildhall. Was this an unnecessary election for

Theresa May? A lot of Conservative MPs bitterly

regretting it. That is why they gave her a coronation in the first place

so they didn't need to be this contest.

She is damaged goods, difficult to see how she will carry on. But the

Jeremy Corbyn, problems for the Labour Party. They will have to work

out what they will do now he definitely had to stay.

Theresa May called this to bring the country together, she can't even

bring Parliament together now. No, and people have been given a

taste of all these possible goodies, free university education,

nationalisation of Southern Rail, divisive answers from Labour Party,

not renewing Trident. You can't put that back in the bottle. An

interesting time in politics from now on.

Thank you. That's about it from us, we are back with the lunchtime news.

Join us again at 6:30pm. You can log onto the BBC website for

all negotiations, I think duty calls and

she will stay. Viewers are joining us from around the UK.

We better say goodbye, Gus, thanks very much. The former Cabinet

Secretary is leaving us. If you are just