Alan Mak will remain as the constituency MP but by the narrowest of majorities with just 92 votes separating him from his nearest rival, Stephanie Harvey the Labour Candidate.

The full results were:

At the declaration of the result Alan said,
 “It is a great honour to be elected to Parliament for the fourth time. I want to thank the residents of the Havant constituency for their continued support.   I will continue to work hard for the Havant constituency, getting things done, campaigning on the things that matter and being an effective voice.”

On Social media he thanked his supporters,
“Thank you to everyone across the Havant Constituency who voted for me and the  Conservatives. I appreciate your support, and the time you have spent sharing your views with me on the doorstep and at community events in every part of our constituency.

On her face Book page Stefanie Harvey wrote, “ For every single person who volunteered, contributed or just said kind words about my campaign, I am so grateful. To have come within 92 votes on a 22,000 majority in 10 weeks of campaigning is breath-taking. I’m sorry I couldn’t serve Havant this time, but there’s always 2029.

Well, what a ride it has been! Havant, you have been exceptional!

To have got within 92 votes in what is known as one of the safest seats in Westminster is phenomenal. This was a grassroots campaign - we didn’t have a machine or party funding/big donors, we worked hard on the ground with a small but dedicated group of volunteers because we believe in a better future for Havant.

I cannot thank every single person who has supported my campaign enough. It was very important to me run a campaign that was positive and about how I could serve you - for the core of politics should be about service, integrity, honesty and accountability. It has been a joy to have met so many of you and share in what is so good about Havant.

If my party will have me, I’ll be back in 2028.  It has been a privilege.”

So why did this traditionally very safe Tory city become  such a close a close contest?

We know that in the recent boundary changes transferred three solidly Tory wards to the new constituency of Fareham and Waterlooville and that there had been a swing away from the tory candidates to Labour and the Green Party in the May local election. and national opinion polls showed a very clear swing to Labour and Reform which was mirrored in the general election results. Perhaps the low turnout in Havant, 58%, contributed with Conservative voters staying at home dissatisfied with 14 years of Conservative government but not happy with Labor's promise of “Change”?

 Or iy may have been that Stefanie Harding, living and working in the constituency, proved to be a highly competent candidate  with a through knowledge of local issues and an outstanding communicator.  The fact that Alan Mak was not present at any of the five hustings which was a disappointment to his supporters and could not have helped his campaign.

A spokesperson for the candidate told The News that Mr Mak was unable to attend the hustings events because all had been planned on dates and times where he already had commitments - with hustings organisers not checking his availability ahead of time.

He said: “Alan was already committed on the dates chosen (without consultation) by some of the organisers. In the case of the Emsworth hustings, he was able to attend but then the date was changed to one he couldn't make.  In nine years as an MP Alan has participated in a number of hustings, but diary clashes meant he was unable to do so this time.”