At the 2005 General Election, Jeremy successfully increased the Liberal Democrat share of the vote in Croydon Central. Against seven other candidates, Jeremy polled 6,384 votes, 13% of the total, a rise from the last General Election.

In a cliffhanger of a result, which took three recounts to resolve, and was not finally announced until 7am, Conservative Candidate Andrew Pelling overturned the Labour majority of 4,000 of incumbent Geraint Davies to win a majority of just 75 votes.

Jeremy said “I congratulate Andrew on his victory. I have no doubt at all that he will be a diligent, industrious and effective representative for the people of Croydon Central – even though as an MP taking the Conservative whip I think that many of the voting decisions he will take over the next five years will be wrong for the country, and not be in the best interests of the people of Croydon Central.

“I am very pleased that many more residents of Croydon Central have voted Lib Dem this time than in the past. The Liberal Democrats have a lot to offer Croydon, and residents are increasingly recognise this. Our chance to show what we can do will come, but it will not be tonight.

“I want to thank the Lib Dem team in Croydon Central, led of course by the agent Peter Ladanyi for everything they have done. And I want to thank too all those who have kept the Liberal Democrat flag flying in Croydon for many years – and who made sure that today more than six thousand people in this constituency had the opportunity to vote Liberal Democrat.”

See full result.