Lib Dem Nick Harvey holds Devon North

Published: 8:04 AM May 7, 2010 Updated: 4:02 PM November 7, 2020

NICK Harvey held off the challenge of local businessman Philip Milton to win the Devon North seat for the Liberal Democrats in the General Election. Mr Harvey increased his share of the vote in a 68.9 per cent turnout to poll 24,305. Conservative Mr Milt

NICK Harvey held off the challenge of local businessman Philip Milton to win the Devon North seat for the Liberal Democrats in the General Election.

Mr Harvey increased his share of the vote in a 68.9 per cent turnout to poll 24,305. The turnout in North Devon was up by just 0.9 per cent on the 2005 figure.

Speaking after the result was declared at around 3,30am today, immediately after the count at North Devon Leisure Centre, Barnstaple, Mr Harvey said his party had waged its “largest ever” campaign in the constituency.

Conservative Mr Milton was second with 18,484 and UK Independence Party candidate Stephen Crowther came third with 3,720 votes.

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Labour's Mark Cann was pushed into fourth place with 2,671 votes, a 5.2 per cent share of the poll.

There had been much speculation about how well lifelong Tory Rodney Cann, who stood as an Independent, would do. In the event, he attracted only 588 votes.