LABOUR’S Steve Ladyman has been returned for a third term as South Thanet MP, despite his majority being slashed by almost two thirds.

In a closely contested seat , the junior Health Minister polled 16,660 votes, 664 more than nearest rival, Conservative Mark MacGregor. In 2001, Dr Ladyman beat Mr MacGregor by 1,105 votes.

Before the result was announced, at 4.30am, Dr Ladyman admitted to feeling apprehensive.

He said: "If the election had been held three days ago, I would be confident I’d won, but over the last few days, the opinion on the street has changed. I don’t like election campaigning, and will be glad when the result arrives, whichever way it goes."

Dr Ladyman said that while he had been out campaigning, he had been surprised at the issues that mattered most to the electorate. "Iraq was hardly mentioned," he said, "immigration nowhere near as much as in 2001, and not one person mentioned Europe.

"Most said they wanted to continue to see public spending on schools and hospitals."

When the result was announced, the visibly relieved Ladyman said he was looking forward to "helping everyone in South Thanet to get access to the resources they deserve".

The Liverpool FC fan referred to his team’s success in the Champions League final, saying: "Rafael Benitez said we must work hard and dream hard, and that is what has happened in the South Thanet Labour Party. Because of the hard work of my team, we have got the result we wanted."

The seat attracted national interest both because of Dr Ladyman’s low majority, and the fact the UK Independence Party fielded MEP and former party leader Nigel Farage as their candidate.

He polled 2,079 votes.

Defeated candidate Mark MacGregor used his speech to thank Dr Ladyman for his work so far, saying his rival was a "good minister, who I admire, and I believe he will continue to work hard for the people of this constituency."

*Dr Ladyman spoke to kmfm about his triumph...