11:43am Thursday 12th May 2005
By Peter Stebbings
Labelled a rising star of the Tory Party' by political commentators, Theresa Villiers held the Chipping Barnet seat for the Conservatives in Thursday's general election.
Mrs Villiers, 38, who lives in Arkley, wasted no time in getting to know her constituents, holding an open surgery on Saturday morning. She walked into Westminster for the first time as an MP on Monday with a tough act to follow filling the boots of Sir Sydney Chapman, who had held the seat since 1979.
Mrs Villiers (whose name, incidentally, is pronounced Villers') is a former barrister and MEP known for her Eurosceptic stance. She is Chipping Barnet's first female MP.
Speaking moments after her election with a majority of almost 6,000, she said: "I'm delighted and very excited about representing the people of Chipping Barnet.
"It's a huge honour. I was very optimistic beforehand, but I got more votes than I expected. I still can't quite believe it. It's still sinking in. I've waited a long time for this and would like to thank the people of Chipping Barnet for choosing me."
Putting more police on the streets is at the top of her list of priorities, and she has pledged to protect Green Belt land at all costs. She will also campaign to get a better deal' for pensioners.
There were no surprises elsewhere in the borough of Barnet, as the Finchley & Golders Green and Hendon seats were held by Dr Rudi Vis and Andrew Dismore respectively.
There had been widespread speculation that Conservative Andrew Mennear would snatch Finchley & Golders Green. However, Labour's man held on with a slight majority of 741.
Mr Dismore saw off Tory Richard Evans with a majority of more than 2,500.
In all three seats the Liberal Democrats came a distant third, with the Greens and Ukip scrapping for fourth and fifth places. Turnout in the borough averaged a disappointing 61 per cent.
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