General Election 2019: Former Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt Retains Seat

The Conservative Party's Penny Mordaunt has retained her seat in Portsmouth North.

The former Defence Secretary saw her majority increase from the General Election in 2017.

The count took place inside the Guildhall, for two constituencies which cover the most densely populated in the UK.

Speaking after her victory, Ms Mordaunt said she will continue to work hard for defence in the city: "The fact we've got those two aircraft carriers based here, working here, everything that brings to the dockyard and beyond, I think it's an incredible opportunity," she said.

"But we can't rest on our laurels there, we've got to look for other ways of really expanding the technical footprint we have here.

"I think there are some great times ahead for our city and the Navy."

Ms Mordaunt worked for 85 days as Defence Secretary earlier this year, before she was replaced by Ben Wallace.

In Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan of Labour comfortably kept his seat.

He told Forces News his priorities for the military community in the city.

"I'm hugely proud to represent the heart and home of the Royal Navy and I've been taking action since I was elected in 2017, making sure that our Armed Forces get decent pay and decent conditions and also have somewhere decent to live," he said.

"It's absolutely fantastic we're now the home to the new aircraft carriers but that investment needs to continue."