ED VAIZEY did not rule out a promotion in David Cameron’s new Cabinet after returning to parliament with an increased majority.

The Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries won 31,092 votes, to increase his majority to more than 22,000.

With the Conservative Party forming the next government, he said he hoped to at least keep his current ministerial role.

Last night, Mr Cameron filled four senior Cabinet posts, and more announcements are expected later.

But when asked he whether he was aiming for a promotion, Mr Vaizey refused to be drawn on a seat at the Cabinet table.

He said: “I asked David Cameron for the job to be his Culture Minister and it is a job I really love doing.

“It touches a lot of people, through broadband expansion for example, which is important to a lot of my constituents.

“I hope I can continue doing it.”

The Liberal Democrats came second in the seat in 2010 with 15,737 votes but on Thursday night they were reduced to 7,611.

Labour claimed second place yesterday with 9,343 votes.

Mr Vaizey said his success could be put down to his hard work in the constituency.

He said: “I think people know I am a very accountable MP.

“I am always there to help constituents with their problems, no matter how small they are.”

The 46-year-old said housing would remain high on his list of priorities in the next five years.

He said: “I really want to take up this issue of housing.

“People are very concerned. It is inevitable that we will get that additional housing.

“But it is crucial that we get the infrastructure to support that.

“And there are other issues I will be looking at, such as primary school places.”

Despite queues at some polling stations in the constituency, turnout was virtually unchanged, at 69.8 per cent compared to 70 per cent in 2010.

Mr Vaizey was delighted with the Conservative performance nationally. He said: “I am thrilled. I think it is a great vindication for David Cameron.

“He followed the path he thought was right to get our economy right. He will feel very proud of what he has achieved.”

Labour performed strongly in the constituency, winning 9,343 votes, up on 7,855 in 2010.

That meant its candidate Stephen Webb pushed the Liberal Democrats into third place.

UKIP came fourth with 7,288 votes for Lee Upcraft, a huge increase on the 2,421 Jacqueline Jones won in 2010.

The Green Party’s Kate Prendergast more than doubled the party’s vote, but still came last with 2,986.