Kevin Bonavia today became the first Labour MP to be elected in Stevenage since 2005.

In an interview with the Comet, he said that it was a "huge honour" to be entrusted with an "awesome responsibility".

Here are the highlights from the speeches given by his opponents after the result was declared shortly before 3am today at Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre.

Alex Clarkson, Conservative candidate

Mr Clarkson congratulated Mr Bonavia, and "paid respects" to all the candidates: "One thing all of us have in common is the desire to serve and do what is right by the people of Stevenage."

He said that it had been an "enriching and humbling experience" to be the Conservative candidate, and that it had been an "honour" to meet "thousands of residents" in the constituency.

"My message was town first, party second, and the positive local campaign I ran was proof of that.

"I'm from Stevenage and I'm for everything it stands for. That's part of my identity and, despite tonight's result, that will not diminish.

"Stevenage has chosen socialism, the United Kingdom has chosen socialism, be that advertently or as, indeed, is more and more the case, inadvertently, by voting for the smaller parties.

"The unprecedented size of what looks like being a huge Labour majority will worry many, particularly those who voted for another party.

"It's change, yes, it is change, but at what cost? Literally, at what cost? We shall see.

"For all the Conservative voters who voted for me today, you have as much as right to be heard as everyone else, your values are worth just as much as anyone else's, and that's why as a Conservative I still have a job to do.

"It is my job now to ensure that your voices are heard and your values are respected because we are a Conservative family.

"The secret to any family is to be united. It's a lesson my party has probably learned the hard way this evening, but we must come together and unite.

"That's what the voters want, who voted Conservative yesterday, and that's what those voters  wanted us to be like in 2019 when they voted for us but didn't vote for us this time.

"I believe strongly that the centre-right of British politics must be reunited.

"Meanwhile, we will still hold the socialists to account on behalf of those millions of ordinary people who share our values and priorities, and we'll make sure that Keir Starmer and his party aren't allowed to lock anyone else out of government for generations."

He concluded with thanks to his campaign manager and activists, to his partner for "being by my side when things got tough in this campaign", and to his parents "for instilling in me my Conservative values, instilling in me my love for Stevenage, and instilling in me the strength to carry on and keep fighting for what I believe in".

"And so, until we all meet again, God save the King."

Peter Hopper, Reform UK candidate

After thanking Reform's volunteers in Stevenage, the other candidates, and the counting staff, Mr Hopper said: "We're a relatively new party, we don't have the resources - physical and financial - of some of the others, but I think tonight we have laid the foundations for the next five years.

"I suspect this level of support for Reform UK will be replicated around the country, and we'll find out soon enough how much effect we are having."

Lisa Nash, Liberal Democrat candidate

Ms Nash congratulated Mr Bonavia on a "hard-fought campaign with integrity".

She continued: "Support is growing for the Lib Dems locally, and I'm really pleased with our result tonight, especially as I know so many Lib Dem voters chose to vote strategically this time around to ensure the previous administration did not get in again.

"I am committed to this constituency, and I very much hope in the future that I am selected to stand as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the next general election to support you all in this constituency."

She concluded by thanking her "growing team" of volunteers in Stevenage.

Paul Dawson, Green candidate

Mr Dawson thanked those "who made tonight happen", and the local party for supporting his campaign.

"I'm delighted that the Green vote has increased yet again, as it has done I believe nationally.

"It will remind those bigger parties who have reneged on their promises on green policies to save the future of all of us, not to back down. It will remind them that there are more important things, and the end of the world is more important than anything else.

"We need sensible, realistic policies to deal with the climate chaos, otherwise we're all in a very bad way."

He finished by thanking those who had voted for his party.

Cllr Richard Henry, Labour leader of Stevenage Borough Council

We also spoke to Cllr Henry, asking him what it means for the council that they will now be working with a Labour MP.

Cllr Henry said: "Kevin has pledged to support our ambitions on the council, in terms of our regeneration and our housebuilding programme.

"Kevin is such a personable guy. He's committed to the town, and he will help us on the council to transform the town.

"I've already told him I've got a shopping list for some of the things we want to progress on the council which the previous MP halted.

"We're going to be meeting next week, with the senior leadership team of the council and my cabinet, to look at what we can do and what he can do in the first 10, 50 and 100 days of the Labour government."

On the broader election result, Cllr Henry said: "It feels fantastic. It's reminiscent of the 1997 general election. We've got really enthusiastic new Labour MPs who want to transform this country after the 14 years of devastation that we've had."