Live: Election 2010 (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Live: Election 2010

12:00am Friday 7th May 2010 in Politics By Chris Harris

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641 Hollingbery wins the new Meon Valley seat with a thumping 12,000 majority.

550 Brine wins Winchester seat, beating Martin Tod by 3,048 votes.

527 Both to be declared any second.

509 Denham holds Southampton Itchen by 192 votes after recount.

454 Counting slowly drawing to a close for Winchester and Meon Valley. The former looks to be neck-and-neck.

434 Provisional turnout figures: for Winchester, 76 per cent; for Meon Valley, 72.9 per cent.

419 Rivals for the Winchester seat, Steve Brine (Con) and Martin Tod (Lib Dem), spotted sharing an amicable chat.

411 Labour candidate Patrick Davies IS still in the building, spotted in the leisure centre cafe.

353 Bad news for Lib Dems as Sandra Gidley loses Romsey to the Conservatives

350 It's also full steam ahead for Winchester and Chandler's Ford, as counting, rather than sorting of ballot papers, kicks off.

339 Counting finally underway for the Meon Valley constituency...

326 Labour candidate Patrick Davies for Winchester has reportedly left the building.

311 Chatting to a couple of University of Winchester students - they say the majority of undergraduates are behind the Lib Dems.

259 Tory councillor Ian Tait spotted dancing on the spot and striding round the hall. Has anyone told him it's an election count and not an aerobics class?

248 Boost for Hampshire Lib Dems as Chris Huhne retains his Eastleigh seat. A swing to the Lib Dems, from the Conservatives, of 3 per cent.

223 Lots of talk about a big turnout but a Winchester City Council online poll had 72% saying they were not intending to vote. Interesting.

213 No-one can accuse the Lib Dems of not fighting for every vote. Martin Tod put a plea out on Twitter around 2pm for volunteers to knock on doors.

211 Still no sign of Steve Brine at the election count. A sign of confidence, maybe?

150 Front-running Meon Valley candidates George Hollingbery and Liz Leffman playing their cards close to their chest. Both say its too early to call.

140 As election stadia go, River Park is not the most inspiring. Bring back the Guildhall!

102 No sign of either Conservative candidates - George Hollingbery or Steve Brine. Declarations in both Winchester and Meon Valley not expected before 4am.

1258 Buzz of efficiency humming over Winchester. Spectators either quietly reading or engaged in hushed conversation.

1248 Chatting to prominent Tory city councillor - seems there's a bit of ill-feeling bubbling under between Conservatives and Lib Dems in the Winchester seat.

1228 More activity at leisure centre's vending machines than on the floor where counting is ticking over. Little sign of candidates yet.

1208 Just in case you're interested there's 144 counters, er, counting, your votes in Winchester and the Meon Valley.

1203 Lots of sweat at River Park Leisure Centre tonight; none of it from anyone exercising.

1200 Hello and welcome to the Hampshire Chronicle's election coverage. We'll be posting comments - technology permitting - throughout the night until the results for Winchester and Meon Valley are declared.