FLINTSHIRE stayed red – but both the county’s MPs saw their majorities cut.
David Hanson and Mark Tami were returned in Delyn and Alyn and Deeside respectively, with Conservative candidates coming second in both seats.
Mr Hanson, a justice minister, polled 15,083 votes, ahead of Antoinette Sandbach with 12,811, Liberal Democrat Bill Brereton on 5,747, Plaid’s Peter Ryder on 1,844, the BNP’s Jennifer Matthys with 844 and UKIP candidate Andrew Haigh on 655.
Meanwhile Mr Tami won 15,804 votes, Conservative Will Gallagher 12,885, Lib Dem Paul Brighton 7,308, Plaid Cymru’s Maurice Jones 1,549, BNP candidate John Walker on 1,368 votes and James Houson polled 1,009 votes for UKIP.
David Hanson thanked his campaign team and his family for supporting him through a long campaign and added: “Most of all I would like to thank the people of Delyn, who after 18 years of service have allowed me to go back to the House of Commons.
“This will be a challenging night for the government but we have fought a strong campaign and it is a real privilege to be a member of parliament and go back to the House of Commons next week.”
Mark Tami thanked his agent Ken Skates and campaign team. He said: “It has been a really good campaign and I would like to thank my wife Sally and family for putting up with me through a long and difficult campaign, and the people of Alyn and Deeside for returning me to be an MP and for all the support they have given to me and my family over what has been a very difficult three years.”