Poll dancing: Behind the scenes at the East Devon election count

IT WAS fascinating to watch the mood change as the East Devon election result grew nearer on Thursday 6 May at the East Devon District Council offices in Sidmouth.

In the main room, the tellers were furiously at work, counting ballot papers under the watchful eye of scrutineers from the various parties who were there to ensure fair play. Meanwhile in an adjoining room sat the candidates and their teams. 

Initially there was no tension, and no sign either of Conservative MP Hugo Swire. His team were here, sitting towards the back of the room, passing the time by poring over the property pages of the local press. 

With no Swire to be seen, the other candidates seemed fairly relaxed, eyeing up the first election results as they started to come in on the large widescreen TV. Every so often there would be a guffaw when a political pundit shot themselves in the foot and the odd shout of "Nutter!" as various oddball candidates appeared on screen. 

The Labour camp, led by Gareth Manson, were swigging heavily orange-juiced Bucks Fizz. Looking understandably exhausted after weeks of campaigning, they had known from the outset that it would be difficult for Labour in such a safe Tory stronghold.

Paull Robathan, the genial Liberal Democrat candidate and his wife, were sticking with tea. There were mutterings of early signs that the Lib Dems had failed to beat the Conservatives, but Robathan was genuinely delighted with what he had achieved, just seven weeks after being selected by his party.

Over in another corner was Sharon Pavey and her supporters in the Green Party, with what looked suspiciously like a box of supermarket flapjacks. Understandably nervous, as she had also had only a few weeks to prepare for the campaign, she was equally delighted with what she and her party had achieved.

Meanwhile UK Independence Party candidate Michael Amor was keeping his own counsel to one side of the tea and refreshments. No slouching in an armchair for him; he stood proudly to attention all night.

Finally, at approximately 11.45pm, Hugo George William Swire, the Conservative Party candidate and current MP for Devon East, entered the room. As a piece of stagecraft it was a masterstroke. Here was a man who meant business and was determined to hold on to his seat. Almost immediately the mood in the room changed, and tensions began to mount.

Having picked up the latest news of the election, Swire started to work the room, being introduced to the press, giving interviews and so on. He had an air of confidence and – having interviewed him – a knowledge of Exmouth that few of the other candidates could match.

Swire rarely looked nervous. Just occasionally, when the TV flashed up that the Tories hadn’t won a marginal seat, he seemed slightly twitchy, but overall he gave very little away.

At 1.25am, Mark Russell Williams, the Acting Returning Officer, asked the candidates to gather on the stage. The tension in the room lifted dramatically.

Three minutes later it was all over. Swire had retained his seat, the Lib Dems had made a slight gain while Labour had suffered quite a sizable loss. Meanwhile the UK Independence Party and the Greens were well beaten but had certainly made a presence.

As the candidates and their supporters began to drift away, Swire looked understandably pleased with himself, preparing for a new term in the first hung Parliament since 1974...