Election 2024: Education secretary Gillian Keegan loses seat

Defeat in Chichester for the Conservatives by the Liberal Democrats comes during a night of great difficulties for the Tories.

Defeat in Chichester for the Conservative party as the Liberal Democrats gain victory in a tough night for the Tories.

Education minister Gillian Keegan has been defeated in the general election and will no longer serve as a Member of Parliament.

The Liberal Democrats won against the Conservative candidate in Chichester with a vote count of 25,540 compared to Keegan's 13,368.

Keegan expressed that the results were not what they had hoped for, but it is clear that the majority of people have shared their opinions both nationally and in Chichester.

It was a terrible night for the Conservative party, as the exit poll suggests they will only win 131 seats, while Labour is expected to win 410 in a significant victory.

Keegan has been the education secretary since October 2022, when prime minister Rishi Sunak chose her for the position. She is the tenth Conservative to have this role since 2010, and the sixth since the most recent election in 2019.

She is one of many senior Conservatives who have not been re-elected, such as House of Commons leader Penny Mordaunt, who was defeated by former teacher and union activist Amanda Martin in Portsmouth, justice secretary Alex Chalk, and defence secretary Grant Shapps.

This is a developing news story and will be continually updated.