Lib Dem reclaims seat nine years after losing it

Andrew George was joined by the Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey for campaigning earlier in the week

Andrew George has been elected MP for St Ives, nine years after he last represented the Cornish constituency.

In 1997 Mr George became the first Liberal Democrat MP for the constituency in 68 years, and served until he lost to Conservative Derek Thomas in 2015.

He reclaimed the seat from Mr Thomas on Friday morning with 25,033 votes, winning by more than 13,000.

He described his victory as "gratifying, humbling and inspiring".

Mr George was born and brought up in the constituency which is a large rural seat encompassing Penzance, Newlyn, Helston and the Lizard peninsula.

Speaking after the declaration at Carn Brea leisure centre, he said he would prioritise the NHS and the "housing injustice... of second homes costing local families any housing security".

He said: "Restoring the country from the chaos and damage it's experienced in recent years is going to be very significant.

"We certainly won't be letting any government become complacent and take parliament for granted."

Andrew George said he will hold the Government to account

Mr George is one of two Cornish constituencies to have Liberal Democrat MPs elected, with Ben Maguire also winning in North Cornwall.

Labour won the other four seats, with the Conservatives losing all six, having held them all since 2017.