The Forest of Dean's Labour MP Diana Organ is going back to Westminster - but with a reduced majority, her lead dropping from 6,000 to a mere 2,000. At six am this morning (Friday, June 8) she was relieved to learn that a national swing against Labour in seats affected by foot and mouth disease had not unseated her.
Diana polled 19,350 votes with Conservative candidate Mark Harper hot on her heels with 17,301. Liberal Democrat David Gayler was in third position with 5,726, Dr Simon Pickering of the Green Party fourth with 1,254, the UK Independence Party's Alan Prout polled 661 and Independent Gerald Morgan 279.
Ms Organ thanked everyone who had helped in her campaign - and sdaid the main thought in her head was getting some sleep before picking up the threads of Government again. Mr Harper said he was pleased to have run her so close. A full report next week.