Nick Hillman can congratulate himself on his outstanding success last night. He was only selected as the Cambridge Conservative parliamentary candidate just over four months ago, a seat where we came a poor third in the 2005 general election after Lib Dems sensationally snatched it from Labour. The result then was 19,152 (44%) Lib Dems; 14,813 (34%) Lab; and 7,193 (16.5%) Cons. This is a seat which was once Conservative, and could be again if we put our minds to it.

Nick fought a determined campaign – and we all desperately wanted him to win, however much the odds were stacked against him. Although he didn’t have an outright win, in only a matter of weeks he ousted Labour and was runner-up, which is a tremendous victory in itself. The result last night was 19,621 (39.1%) Lib Dems; 12,829 (25.6%) Cons; and 12,174 (24.3%) Lab – a fantastic 7% swing to Conservatives from Lib Dems. Again, there was no Lib Dem surge here as a result of the media’s much hyped Cleggmania.

If Nick can achieve this fantastic result in such a short space of time, he stands a good chance of success here in the foreseeable future. Voters warmed to him, and they warmed to having a visible Conservative presence, which has not been strong enough in recent years in this wonderful university city. He lives in Cambridge with his pregnant wife Lara, and I hope he will consider taking on this challenge again. He knows what it involves, and that inquisitive Cambridge voters are keen to get to know their politicians, with candidates attending an exhausting 35 hustings during the campaign month, and at the end of their very long and tiring day. He needs an active association and grassroots supporters behind him, and then I’m optimistic that Cambridge could once again be blue.

It was pretty exhausting last night waiting for the result to be declared at 5am, which for some reason was two hours later than predicted; I have no idea why it took so long as I remember results being announced much earlier last time round. It was interesting to “meet” the anonymous candidate Old Holborn, who wafted around the counting hall in his mysterious black cloak and boots, his identify concealed by a Guy Fawkes mask. He managed to secure 145 votes.

However, I did feel sorry for Tony Juniper whose environmental work I admire very much, but he failed to attract large support, winning only 3,804 votes for the Green Party. They seemed to be doing pretty well with city council votes which will be announced later this afternoon.

How can politics not be riveting?

*Here is a link to a video I made of the election count, with some pics of Nick included at the end.