Grant Shapps on election night in Welwyn-Hatfield (Image: James Shaw/REX/Shutterstock)
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the Conservative Party had tried the patience of voters after losing his seat in the general election.
After 19 years representing the Welwyn-Hatfield constituency in Hertfordshire Mr Shapps narrowly lost out to Labour's Andrew Lewin by 3,799 votes.
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The veteran cabinet minister said the public were fed-up with the party's "endless political soap opera" and added that "the people do not vote for divided parties".
Reflecting on his legacy, he said he was "proud" of securing a multi-billion pound increase in funding for the military and for his government's "staunch support for Ukraine and their democracy".
Read his full concession speech here:
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Mr Shapps said: "Andrew - let me be the first to offer you congratulations on your victory.
"You will now take over the mantle of representing Welwyn Hatfield. A privilege that I have had for the past 19 years. After I won this seat on my second attempt, winning it five times over.
"I know that you will represent local people to the best of your ability and I wish you well as you take up the baton.
"In addition to representing Welwyn Hatfield, I’ve also had the honour to serve in more Cabinet roles than most…
"From Party Chairman to Transport Secretary. Home Secretary (briefly) to Business Secretary, Energy Secretary and of course, Defence Secretary.
"I want to pay tribute to the selfless courage of the men and women of our Armed Forces whom I have had the privilege to work with.
"There is no more important task for any government than the defence of the realm and my proudest achievement by far has been to secure a large - multi-billion pound - increase in funding for our military.
"It is clear tonight that Britain will have a new govt in the morning and I am extremely concerned that, unless it quickly commits to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence, our Armed Forces will be let down. And so will our friends in Ukraine.
"If there is something that I am most proud about in Britain today, it is our staunch support for Ukraine and their democracy. And this must never waiver even through a change of government.
"But what is crystal clear to me is that it is not so much that Labour has won this election, but rather that the Conservatives have lost it.
"On door after door, voters have been dismayed by our inability to iron out differences in private, then be united in public.
"Instead, we have tried the patience of our traditional Conservative voters - with a propensity to create an endless political soap opera out of internal rivalries and divisions which have become increasingly indulgent and entrenched.
"Today voters have simply said: 'If you can't agree with each other, then we can't agree to vote for you.'
"We forgot a fundamental rule: people do not vote for divided parties.
"For the sake of the United Kingdom, I wish the new government well.
"But for a strong democracy, the Conservative Party needs to play its part too. By recognising what has gone wrong. And using time in opposition to refresh and rebuild.
"The Conservative Party should have a natural advantage that - at our best - we mirror the hopes and aspirations of hardworking British people.
"But there is a danger that we now go off on some sort of tangent. Condemning ourselves - and the public - to years of lacklustre opposition, that fails to hold the government to account effectively.
"We must not let this happen. We should be clear about what went wrong. Put it right. And create a plan to present to the public, and deserve to win again in 5 years; not 15 years or longer.
"Finally, politics is not a solo effort. So I want to thank all the staff and advisers who have worked for me over the years in my constituency, in Parliament and in my many ministerial offices.
"To my agent Nat Chapman and all those who have done the role before him. To the thousands of party volunteers who have helped me over the years. And, of course, to my family - Belinda, Hadley, Tabytha and Noa, my mum and sister - without whom none of this would have been possible.
"I also want to thank the Returning Officer and Police for a perfectly executed election.
"And finally, thank you to the people of Welwyn Hatfield. I have been honoured to represent you in Parliament, which has come to an end for the time being. Thank you for your support over the years.
"Thank you."
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