The following is a transcript of the speech I made following the declaration of the General Election 2010 result in the early hours of the morning on Friday 7th May. Hopefully, a video clip of the speech will also be uploaded to my YouTube channel very soon.
Can I start by thanking the returning officer and the mayor for his declaration. For the staff of Blackpool Council, Wyre Council, for Kath Drury and Mark Towers and their team, for all their hard work that they have put in, for what they have done.
They have expedited this count wonderfully well and got to see it ahead of schedule.
Can I also thank my friends, my family, my campaign team, Sue my chairman, David my agent, and I want to make this not a big speech, but you all know who you are.
In particular, can I make a point of paying tribute to my predecessor, Joan Humble, who was the MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood. She did an incredible amount for her constituency and that deserves to be noticed. Her work on the Department for Work and Pensions Select Committee was excellent and what she did working for investigations in to deaths in military custody was also a telling example of what a good backbench MP can do and I hope I can emulate those achievements.
Finally, can I pledge myself to represent all of my constituents, whether they have voted for me or not, whether they voted or not. Democracy is a precious gift that very, very many have died for. It is a disappointment that turnout was no higher here than the last election, but I hope, in my conduct as your member of Parliament, that I will show that we can have faith in the democratic process and that I can be an MP you really can be proud of.
Thank you very much and goodnight.
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