NEW Forest West was once again painted Conservative blue as Desmond Swayne swept back to Westminster with an increased majority on a disastrous night for the Liberal Democrats.

The humiliation was too much for candidate Imogen Shepherd-DuBey to endure as she left the count in New Milton long before the result was announced as the party slumped to fourth place.

It ended a difficult campaign for Ms Shepherd-DuBey who was only present at two of the six hustings organised across the consistency.

After the vote Mr Swayne said that he was "surprised" to increase he majority because he didn't think a "better result from last time was possible".

He said: "I want to thank all of the people of the New Forest [who voted for me], and in particular my supporters who have campaigned for me.

"I think we will [form a government], but it is too early to tell, Labour have taken a couple from us and we have taken a couple from them.

"It will be hard work being in a government with a small majority but doable — tempers will be short."

He also reiterated his desire to carry on as a minister in Prime Minister David Cameron's new administration. Mr Swayne is currently the minister for International Development.

"I hope he will ring up and say Desmond stay put because I am rather enjoying the job and I have only been that since July last year," he added. And hey I would like to carry on."

"It is like promotion in any office - it has nothing to do with merit. It is random but I will be waiting by my phone."

Despite it being a safe Conservative seat Ukip confirmed a good campaign surging into second place with Labour a close third.

Ukip's Paul Bailey was ecstatic with his result as the party went from 2,783 votes in 2010 to 7,816 and second place. They are now hoping to replicate the results in the New Forest District Council elections later on today.

Mr Bailey said: "It is a great result and one that I had hoped for, and quietly confidently expected. I think that word about creating a base camp is so true, it is going to be so much easier to move from second forward than from third.

"We had a team that was miniscule in comparison to the Tory's for numbers on the ground and funds, so we are not able to do the canvassing and leafleting that they were able to.

"So pro rata we have achieved the best possible result."

Janet Richards from the Green Party also enjoyed a good night retaining their deposit for the first time in the Forest West constituency.

Labour's Lena Samuels also received a small increase in votes jumping from 4,666 in 2010 to 5,133.

She said: "I am thrilled to have improved on our result from the last election, we have gone up by 10 per cent and it is great to be a credible alternative on the left for the New Forest."

Forest West full results: 

Desmond Swayne (Con) 28,420

Paul Bailey (Ukip) 7,816

Lena Samuels (Lab) 5,133

Imogen Shepherd-DuBey (Lib Dem) 3,293

Janet Richards (Green) 2,748

Majority: 20,604