Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale election result

A BEAMING David Mundell punched the air when he was returned to Westminster with an increased majority in the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale seat.

David, who secured 17,457 votes and an increased majority of 4,194, always maintained it was a two-horse race and that the race was always between his Conservative Party and Labour.

Claudia Beamish saw the Labour vote drop to 13,263 but she managed to hold onto second place.

Catriona Bhatia's Lib Dem vote of 9,080 was almost identical to 2005 and again saw the party finish third.

David, who remains once again the sole Conservative MP north of the Border, said he was delighted to have been returned with an increased majority.

He praised Claudia Beamish for her fight. But took a swipe at the Lib Dems who had maintained the two-horse race was between them and Mundell.

He declared: "This has been a very disappointing night for the Lib Dems. They secured no more votes than they did five years ago despite a high profile candidate and Clegg-mania."

In fourth place was SNP candidate Aileen Orr (4,945 votes), ahead of the United Kingdom Independence Party's Steven McKeane (637) and the Green Party's Alis Ballance (510).

The biggest winner was the electorate with 45,892 people turning out to cast their votes, a percentage of 68.98.

For full election coverage, see this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette, which is in the shops now priced just 48p.