RESULT: Zac Goldsmith wins Richmond Park (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

General Election 2010: Conservative Zac Goldsmith wins Richmond Park

5:50am Friday 7th May 2010 in News By Christine Fleming

MP: Zac Goldsmith

Conservative Zac Goldsmith has been elected as MP for Richmond Park gaining the seat from the Liberal Democrats.

The results were announced to whoops and cheers from the crowd, and tears among his campaign team.

Richmond Park's new MP was delighted with his win.

He said: "I'm surprised by how many people voted. I'm flattered and feel extraordinarily privileged.

"My view is an MP's role should be to put their conscience and constituency first.

"People need their MP. I said I will always put the constituency first - a promise I made the day I was elected (as a parliamentary candidate)."

Susan Kramer, who had held the seat, looked disappointed as the results were read out.

The departing MP thanked Richmond residents for the past five years.

She said: "You gave me five absolutely wonderful years and I could never do anything other than be grateful to you for that.

"Congratulations to Zac Goldsmith and my best wishes to the constituency."

The turnout was a massive 77 per cent and the swing from Lib Dem to the Tories was 7 per cent.

Mr Goldsmith polled 29,461 votes while Susan Kramer got 25,370. Labour's Eleanor Tunnicliffe polled 2,979 votes.

The Green Party's James Page polled 572, while Independent Charles Hill got 84 and Susan May of the Christian People's Alliance polled 133 votes.

And Mr Goldsmith was not the only one who was celebrating his win - his family were on hand to share in the excitement.

Sister Jemima Khan said she was thrilled for her brother.

She said: "He’s worked so hard. We didn’t know how it was going to go right up to the last minute.

“I did put a bet on him - the odds were terrible but I put a bet on.“

Brother Ben Goldsmith added that he was unbelievably proud.

He said: "I've never been more proud to be his brother."