LIVE: Election updates from the New Forest
General election updates through the night from the media room at the New Forest count
Hello! I’ll be at the New Forest election count all night reporting from the media room.
You’ll have one election night roundup from me in the morning and then its business as usual with our ‘monthly briefing’ news roundup coming soon.
As journalists, we have to be careful on election day reporting rules (they’re strict laws!) so, there isn’t much to share until the polls close at 10pm.
Keep this page handy to refresh throughout the night for election updates from NFBN Editor, Kerri L Watt.
5.00am
The count is over for both New Forest constituencies. Conservatives have been elected again for both districts. Staff begin to tidy the venue and the candidates and media beginning to leave.
Thanks for staying with us and wish you all the best for your day ahead.
4.52am
New Forest West election results announcement. With 35% of the votes, the Conservative Party candidate Desmond Swayne regains his seat as MP.
Conservative Party, Desmond Swayne - 16,412
Labour Party, Sally Johnston - 10,812
Reform UK, Reginald Philip - 7,577
Liberal Democrats, Jack Davies - 8,186
Green Party, Anna Collar - 2,800
Social Democratic Party, Paul Simon - 157
Animal Welfare Society, Gavin Ridley - 393
A total of 46,337 votes were counted.
138 ballot papers were rejected.
Turnout was 67.73%.
4.33am
Counting has ended for New Forest West and provisional results will be announced in around 15 minutes.
3.35am
New Forest East election results announcement. CONSERVATIVES have won the New Forest East seat. With 38% of the vote, Julian Lewis regains his seat as an MP.
Conservative Party, Julian Lewis - 17,412
Labour Party, Sasjkia Otto - 8,917
Reform UK, Roy Swales - 7,646
Liberal Democrats, Caroline Rackham - 7,198
Green Party, Simon King - 3,118
Monster Raving Loony Party, Mad Hatter - 529
Animal Welfare Society, Andrew Knight - 410
A total of 45,230 votes were counted.
146 ballot papers were rejected.
Turnout was 64.26%.
Julian Lewis gave thanks to the other candidates, voters and all helpers at the polling stations today. He said: “I will support New Forest East people whether they voted for me or not.”
1.54am
It's just been announced that the provisional turnout figure of voters is 68% for New Forest West.
In 2019, it was 71.3% and in 2017 72.3%.
1.49am
All ballot boxes verified for New Forest West and counting will commence shortly.
1.27am
Latest audio roundup of the events at the New Forest count.
1.20am
Counting for the New Forest East district has begun!
1.18am
44 ballot boxes from New Forest West have been verified and just 5 left to complete.
1.08am
Verification of New Forest West ballots are “fairly close” to being completed.
Counting of votes for New Forest East is expected to begin in 10 minutes.
00.55am
It's just been announced that the provisional turnout figure of voters is 64% for New Forest East.
In 2019 it was 69.3% and in 2017 was 70.9%
00.40am
Ballot boxes from all 48 polling stations in New Forest East have been verified.
New Forest West: 18 verifications complete, 14 not started, 17 verifications in progress.
00.35am
Applemore leisure centre in full swing at the New Forest count for the east and west districts tonight.
00.05am
Exit poll by Ipsos UK (for BBC, Sky News, ITV News) suggests Conservatives will likely hold both their seats in New Forest East and West districts.
New Forest West: 99% likelihood. New Forest East: 94% likelihood. They also suggest a 3% possible Labour Party gain tied with 3% Reform gain.
11.46pm
All of the ballot boxes for the New Forest east and west districts have arrived at the count.
That's 185 boxes from 97 polling stations in 73 locations.
11.44pm
An audio roundup of the evening at the New Forest count so far.
11.20pm
The first ballot boxes from the west of the district have arrived. This could mean the rest from the area will start to arrive shortly.
11.10pm
120 counting staff continue to verify arriving ballot boxes.
Some of the New Forest West and East candidates are in attendance along with agents and party members.
10.39pm
The first boxes have arrived at the New Forest count venue for the New Forest East and West constituencies.
Verifications of these initial boxes, including some Hythe, Dibden, Blackfield, Holbury and Marchwood polling stations, are now taking place.
Once verification is complete, ballot papers from each polling station are sorted by candidate and the counting begins.
9.30pm
On my way to the New Forest election count! We should start seeing exit polls around the country from 10pm.
5.30pm
New Forest Business News editor is getting ready for the night ahead. Packing up the journalist kit (and snacks).
I’ll be in the media room from 9.45pm bringing you the latest updates as soon as I can.
10.00am
Editor Kerri L Watt at one of the local polling stations casting her vote. The staff were all upbeat and friendly, saying they were excited for the day ahead.
7.00am
Polling stations around the nation are now open. Voting now begins for the New Forest in the nation’s general election. Please remember your photographic ID!
I took my son (6) with me this morning to educate him on democracy. They were lovely, the presiding officer answered his questions.