JEREMY Hunt has been elected for a fifth term in South West Surrey despite losing a hefty chunk of his majority to Lib Dem rival Paul Follows.

Mr Hunt, Conservative MP for the constituency since 2005, polled 32,191 votes to Mr Follows’ 23,374 - with Labour campaigner Tim Corry coming third with 4,775 votes.

The former foreign secretary’s 8,817 majority marks a significant reduction from the 21,590 buffer he enjoyed in 2017.

However, with only two rival candidates at this general election, down from four at the last, Mr Hunt’s vote share fared better - falling from 56 per cent in 2017 to 53 per cent.

Turnout was recorded at 76.8 per cent, marginally down from 77.6 per cent in 2017. And 374 ballot papers were spoilt.

See next week’s Herald for interviews and analysis of the 2019 general election in South West Surrey...