I would like to offer my congratulations to David Lepper on his re-election.

At a recent Sussex University husting, I made the point that, should Mr Lepper win, I may not like it and, of course, I would continue to campaign for the ideas I believe in, but I would absolutely accept the verdict of the voters.

That is what democracy is all about.

So my congratulations to Mr Lepper on securing a third term.

I would also like to pay tribute to my fellow candidates for their part in making this a clean and fair election.

Despite being political rivals, I have made many friends across the political divide during the campaign.

There are a few individuals without whose dedication and support I would not have been able to stand as candidate.

Anne Barrow, my election agent, who has worked tirelessly day and night; my association chairman, Brian Pidgeon; and all the Brighton Pavilion Conservative Association officers, who have been on hand whenever needed.

And loads of other supporters who played a key role - you know who you are - but particularly Mike, Andrew and especially Carol, without whose long-term support I would not have stood at all.

A huge thank you to all these people and all my supporting team. You are simply the best any candidate could wish for.

Most of all, I would like to thank the thousands of people who voted for me.

I will not forget the support you have given me and the fantastic reception I have had as I campaigned around the city.

We did well with second place behind a reduced Labour majority and, despite the Greens shouting about the trebling of their vote, they still came third.

Are you listening, Mr Taylor? Not first, not second, but third.

It's incredible. The Green's threw everything at this campaign and came nowhere near election.

They even had their candidate in The Argus on election day but that's another story. Without a doubt, the Conservatives in Pavilion have made great advances in this General Election and I look forward to the next election when Pavilion can turn Tory once again.

-Mike Weatherley, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion