FIGHTING to ensure schools are ‘adequately resourced’ and health authorities ‘take account’ of the area’s rural location are the top priorities for newly re-elected West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox, who topped the polls during the general election last Thursday.

Mr Cox gained 33,612 votes in the election, holding on to his seat in West Devon and Torridge for the fourth term.

This week, Mr Cox told the Times: ‘I am deeply honoured to have been elected MP for Torridge and West Devon for the fourth time and I am very grateful indeed to all those who gave me their support. I would like to congratulate all the candidates who stood in the general election. It is not easy to place oneself in the firing line but it is vital for our democracy that people should continue to be willing to do so and to debate their differences with civility and mutual respect.

‘It is now the duty of the Conservative Party, as the largest party in the House of Commons, to work together with other parties to form a government that will be able to negotiate our departure from the EU. It is essential that we achieve a pragmatic arrangement with the EU that will create new opportunities for our local industries while providing the certainty, reassurance and responsible stewardship that our economy requires to remain strong. I will be vigilant to protect the interests of our constituency in these negotiations.

‘At the same time, I am determined to fight to ensure that our schools are adequately resourced and our health services are not the casualty of decisions taken by the health authorities that do not take proper account of our rural location.

‘I will continue to hold my regular advice surgeries for anyone who needs my help and to work on behalf of everyone in Torridge and West Devon regardless of how they voted.’

Despite being the biggest party in the House of Commons, the Conservatives failed to win the seats necessary for a majority, leaving a hung parliament.

The Conservatives won 318 MPs, 13 fewer than before the election. Labour were up by 30 seats by winning 262 constituencies.

The Scottish National Party won 35, the Liberal Democrats 12 and the Democratic Unionists 10.

The Tories have been holding discussions with the Northern Ireland party the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), about having its support in key votes through a ‘confidence and supply’ agreement.

Such an agreement, which is more casual than a formal coalition, would see the DUP back the Conservatives in key votes, such as on the Budget or a confidence motion, but are not tied into supporting them on other measures.