COLCHESTER’S newly re-elected Conservative MP has promised to get back to business straight away after being backed by the town’s voters.

Will Quince secured a sizeable majority in what is his fourth General Election in nine year, and the third time he has won.

He said: “Increasing my share of the vote is a sign to me people are supporting the work I am doing on their behalf.”

The former Prettygate councillor said his first priority was backing the Prime Minister to deliver Brexit and putting an end to the “gridlock in Parliament”.

Mr Quince also promised to fight for more money for education, the NHS, policing and also infrastructure improvements in Colchester and across Essex.

“We are reaching a point where our economy is growing and when we have left the EU we will be able to invest more in public services,” he said.

Mr Quince, who has sometimes had a frosty relationship with Colchester Council, said he was willing to get stuck in and work with the authority on things like the Future High Streets Fund bid.

He said: “Part of the role of an MP is to represent your constituents and it does mean holding local authorities to account and making sure they are delivering for the constituency.

“It may seem like I am critical but if they did not make so many silly decisions I wouldn’t have to be.

“I also criticise Essex County Council.”

Mr Quince gave special praise to his campaign team, as well as praising Labour’s Tina McKay and Green Party candidate Mark Goacher.

But he hit out at some of the campaign techniques of Lib Dem Martin Goss, including accusations made in a leaflet his constituency office was shut a lot of the time.

Mr Quince said: “I am hugely disappointed in the campaign Martin ran.

“It was negative, it was personal and there were things said which should not have been said.

“But as far as I am concerned the public have given their thoughts on his campaign shown by the Lib Dem’s reduced vote share.

“Of course I am happy to work with Martin in the future.”

Mr Quince added there were serious divisions in the UK, which the Tories, with their new majority, would need to fix.

“We are a divided country and this election is an opportunity to bring us together again,” he said.

“If all the candidates here tonight and all their supporters put all their energy into making a better Colchester then think what we could achieve.”

Across Britain a dramatic election night saw some big political scalps, including Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson in Scotland.

The Conservatives ended the night with a significant majority after promising to deliver Brexit.

And Mr Quince said he was surprised by the popularity of the Tories campaign on the streets of Colchester.

“I have never seen such a positive reaction during an election,” he said.

“I had people crossing the road to speak to me and wish me well and coming up to me in Greggs.”