Conservative David Simmonds won in Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, securing 29,391 votes, writes Rachel Steinberg and Rhys Noye-Allen.

Mr Simmons was feeling festive as he thanked the 29,391 people who voted for him in Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner.

It was enough for 55.6% of the vote share in the Tory stronghold.

Labour’s Peymana Assad finished with 12,997 votes for 24.6% of the total share. The Liberal Democrats saw a considerable gain with an 8% increase from 2017.

Mr Simmons said: “We can start the new year, we can start the new decade and we can give the country a majority government for Christmas.”

Fellow Tory Nick Hurd had been a mainstay in the constituency since he was elected in 2010.

He announced in September he would not run again citing personal reasons.

Mr Simmonds was looking forward to bringing a fresh perspective to Parliament.

He said: “Lots of new MPs who haven’t fallen out with each other are able to work together perhaps better than some of those who were there in the past.”

Mr Simmonds has served as the deputy leader of Hillingdon Council since 2002.

Reflecting on his political journey he said: “I’ve been a party member since I was 17 years old.

“I was a teenage rebel.

“But here in Hillingdon we have a long track record of opposing governments including our own if we need to when it’s in the interest of residents and that’s not going to change.”

Labour candidate Peymana Assad, speaking in the same Brunel University building where she graduated, was heartbroken.

She said: “I am genuinely scared about the future of our country as an ethnic minority, as a young woman and as a Muslim.

“I am scared because I have seen the rhetoric during this General Election.

“It’s also the reason why we can’t give up.

“We have to fight for a better future—one which doesn’t divide communities.”