Damien Moore, aged just 37, was elected the new Conservative MP for Southport in the early hours of this morning.

DAMIEN MOORE (Con) 18,541
LIZ SAVAGE (Lab) 15,627
SUE McGUIRE (Lib Dem) 12,661
TERRY DURRANCE (UKIP) 1,127

He won 18,541 votes, with Labour's Liz Savage netting an amazing 15,627 votes - pushing Liberal Democrat Sue McGuire into an embarrassing third place with just 12,661 - which is 1,000 less than what former MP John Pugh achieved in 2015.

The seat has been held by the Lib Dems for 20 years. Just seven years ago the Lib Dems won more than 21,000 votes.

The collapse of Lib Dem support in the town puts their chances of future local council election success in real doubt, especially with Labour now on the march.

Turnout was 69.2%, up 3.3% from 2015. Observers report a dramatic increase in the number of young people casting their vote yesterday, most likely to support Labour. Liz Savage doubled the number of votes she won for Labour in 2015.

Support for UKIP's Terry Durrance plunged to just 1,127 votes (he gained 7,429 votes in 2015), with most of his votes likely to have gone to the Tories and Labour.

The result was announced at 2.30am in Dunes Leisure Centre, but senior Lib Dems were conceding defeat privately at midnight, just two hours after polls closed.

Victor Damien Moore said he wanted to be “Southport's voice in parliament” and will now begin to house-hunt in the town.

Report by Martin Hovden

Also here's the announcement of he results, on video, for those saying Labour somehow won... pic.twitter.com/scrBRxw0w9

— Ollie Cowan (@Ollie_Cowan) 9 June 2017

BREAKING: Tory @moore4southport becomes first #Tory gain in England. Here's his acception speech #GE2017 #Southport pic.twitter.com/ShJAPk8G20

— Ollie Cowan (@Ollie_Cowan) 9 June 2017

Damien Moore, MP for #Southport tells the local press he can't wait to get started - and first off is moving to the town! #GE2017 #Southport pic.twitter.com/cWpttI5cRP

— Ollie Cowan (@Ollie_Cowan) 9 June 2017

Well I hope all of those that may have voted Lib-Dem but voted Labour this time are
happy for letting the Tories in. Opposition to the Tories has been "divided and conquered"

Thats the end of the Lib Dems in Southport then

Originally Posted by Lancashire Mike

Well I hope all of those that may have voted Lib-Dem but voted Labour this time are
happy for letting the Tories in. Opposition to the Tories has been "divided and conquered"

The Libs only have themselves to blame with their 20 years of poor outcomes for the town, such a horrible and divisive campaign and arrogance. Saying labour can't win and vote lib was probably the tipping point as the excellent campaign from Liz Savage knocked them into third which has to be an achievement for someone "who can't win"

The libs are likely to be tearing selves apart wondering if they should've put Dawson into bat or run a campaign on what they would've done rather than attack others/worry about if local.

....will all seem like a waste of paper, ink and stamps now also. Well done to Damien, I'd have preferred Liz Savage but good to see a change after years of protest vote mediocrity. I can see an argument nationally why some may not like the Tories but a lib dem mp was not the answer unless you walk round the town with your eyes closed to ignore the lack of investment or fight.

So the Lib Dems have been relegated to 3rd place, the people of Southport want someone who will stand up for the people, local issues and the rapid decline of the town. John Pugh blocked Sainsbury's coming to Meols Cop, yet he encouraged Tesco to expand everywhere in Southport. Let's hope some young blood with fresh ideas can make a difference. I had some issues locally several years ago such as anti-social behaviour down our street, guess what Pugh and Co. were not bothered or interested. Glad to get shut of 'em!

Originally Posted by Lancashire Mike

Well I hope all of those that may have voted Lib-Dem but voted Labour this time are
happy for letting the Tories in. Opposition to the Tories has been "divided and conquered"

You've got that the WRONG way round pal, the sheep who read the Sun & the Mail and those who swallowed the LibDem rubbish who gave us a Tory MP. You seem to forget tactical voting in 2010 got us a Tory Government THANKS to LibDumbs wanting their Warhol moment.

Poor Sue she really has got some "Rubbish Friends" !!

Originally Posted by Little Londoner

You've got that the WRONG way round pal, the sheep who read the Sun & the Mail and those who swallowed the LibDem rubbish who gave us a Tory MP. You seem to forget tactical voting in 2010 got us a Tory Government THANKS to LibDumbs wanting their Warhol moment.

I think you've missed the point there, it isn't necessarily people swallowing the LibDem line, it's more likely that people thought they were the only viable opposition to the Tories in Southport. They were wrong, but I don't think many would have seen that groundswell for Labour coming.
Southport 2017 is a great argument for the Single Transferable Vote system
Southport 2022 will be interesting. I hope it becomes more obvious who the local opposition party is by then.

"And now begins to house hunt in the town"...

Ah yes, a local MP for local people. Well done Liz Savage on a well fought campaign.

Great news.

Originally Posted by JoeyCora

...Southport 2017... Southport 2022 will be interesting.

Never mind Southport 2022 - we may well have Southport 2017-2 to deal with soon!

Originally Posted by Toodles McGinty

"And now begins to house hunt in the town"...

Ah yes, a local MP for local people. Well done Liz Savage on a well fought campaign.

And Liz Savage lives?

Originally Posted by whistleblower

And Liz Savage lives?

..to fight another day.

Sainsbury didn't go to Kew because of one simple fact, they didn't own Homebase! Bunnins, an Australian Company do and yet everyone forgot to check that one fact! Every Southport Councillor should have known that information but no, off they went on a crusade, spending a fortune on appeals for something that was never going to happen!

Originally Posted by sea-salted

Thats the end of the Lib Dems in Southport then

I don't think so, they won't be caught out by the Labour trick next time and will return to the Liberal Democrats - a very sad day for Southport