HARLOW: The Conservatives have defeated Foreign Office minister Bill Rammell in the Essex constituency of Harlow. It’s third time lucky for candidate Robert Halfon, who was defeated in 2001 and 2005, losing last time by just 97 votes.
Mr Rammell, a former leader of Harlow district council, is one of the most high profile ministers in Gordon Brown’s government. The Tories comfortably held Epping Forest and Tory Party chairman Eric Pickles was re-elected in Brentwood & Ongar.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here