CONSERVATIVE MP for East Hampshire Damian Hinds has admitted his party needs to learn lessons and work harder after losing its majority in the General Election.
Before last week’s election, there were 331 Conservative MPs, five more than the 326 needed for a House of Commons majority, but after it the Tories were left with 318.
This meant they did not have enough MPs to win a vote if all the other parties voted against them.
A deal with the Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland has seen the 10 Northern Irish MPs agree to back the Government’s business on a case-by-case basis.
This has allowed Prime Minster Theresa May to form a minority government.
Mr Hinds said: “We got the highest number of votes and seats, and the highest vote share for our party since 1983 in the election.
“But the result was not the one I was working for, or one wanted by most East?Hampshire people, and we have to draw important lessons.
“A pro-Corbyn surge in places like Brighton, Canterbury and Reading, as well as Labour resilience in the Midlands and the North, prevented a Conservative majority in Parliament.
“There was a feeling among some Mr Corbyn’s popularist policies had little downside as they could be paid for by the rich and ‘large corporations’.”
He added that now more than ever the minority Conservative government and its MPs had to work harder.
“We need to do more to stress that only a strong economy and an investment-attracting approach can fund excellent public services, and get the jobs growth we have seen since 2010.
“We also had strong policies on key areas such as housing and widening opportunity, and we need to re-double our focus on these.”
And going into the Brexit talks, he appealed for unity.
“Now focus and unity of purpose are more important than ever. These are challenging times, and it is up to everyone of all parties to act with responsibility and in the national interest.
“It is the greatest honour to represent East?Hampshire. I will strive always to live up to the trust put in me by people and be a strong voice for East Hampshire working for everyone here, regardless of their politics.”