The result of the election in Lichfield and surrounding constituencies is transforming the Midlands and Staffordshire into “Tory heartlands” according to the party’s supporters.
Michael Fabricant retained his seat with a majority of more than 17,000 votes on a night where the Conservatives took control in Tamworth, Burton, Stafford and Cannock Chase.
But despite being an anticipated hold, the margin of victory has put Lichfield up there with the safest Conservative seats in the country.
Mr Fabricant spoke to The Lichfield Blog after the result was announced:
For Tory supporters of Mr Fabricant the result is the perfect reward for their efforts on the campaign trail.
But they also believe it has put the city firmly at the centre of a new Conservative stronghold in the UK:
