CONSERVATIVE MP Ed Vaizey thanked voters today for re-electing him with an increased majority.

The MP for the Wantage constituency told party aides at the count at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Abingdon that the election campaign had been fought on local issues.

He said he “loved” being MP for Wantage and would go on serving his constituents for as long as possible.

Mr Vaizey added: “It’s been a clean honest campaign with all the candidates talking about their policies and what they believed in.

“I would like to thank the voters of Wantage and Didcot for re-electing me with an increased majority.”

Liberal Democrat candidate Alan Armitage said: “It’s been a good clean fight and we have made progress in areas where we were trying to increase support.”

Mr Vaizey was protecting a majority of more than 8,000 after he was elected in 2005.

The 41-year-old Shadow Minister for Culture added: “I have been very pleased with my campaign in Wantage.

“The reception has been very positive on the doorstep, outside schools, and in the market squares in the four main towns.

“People recognise the work that I have done in the constituency and they are supportive of David Cameron.

“I have not seen any sign of a Lib Dem surge.

“The Labour vote went in all sorts of different directions because there was a clear message that people don’t want Gordon Brown as their Prime Minister.

Mr Vaizey, who arrived at the count in his X-reg Land Rover Discovery before 1am, praised the Labour candidate Steven Mitchell, describing him as a “very impressive candidate”.

Mr Mitchell returned the compliment, saying: “Ed is a charming buffoon.”