In Suffolk, one of the biggest shocks came as Conservative Ben Gummer lost his Ipswich seat.

He was the man behind the Conservative manifesto - but he was not granted the opportunity to help introduce its policies after being ditched by the electorate.

The Cabinet Office minister lost out to Labour's Sandy Martin with a nearly 5pc swing.

Elsewhere the Tories faired better - with Peter Aldous hanging on to his Waveney seat - with a 9,215 majority. Matthew Hancock stayed put in West Suffolk - where Ukip and Lib Dem candidates lost their deposits as they won such a small share of the votes.

There were also Conservative holds in South Suffolk, with James Cartlidge, and in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich for Dan Poulter.

Suffolk Coastal also remained a Conservative hold, as DEFRA minister Therese Coffey took home 57pc of the vote.