Chief of the Home of Commons Penny Mordaunt has narrowly misplaced in her Portsmouth North constituency.

Historically a bellwether seat, Labour’s Amanda Martin has gained with 14,495 votes to Ms Mordaunt’s 13,715 – an 18% swing.

Ms Mordaunt has served as Lord President of the Council since 2022 and as MP for Portsmouth North since 2010.

She informed Ms Martin: “You are actually working for the the perfect employer ever – the individuals of Portsmouth are fantastic, hard-working, big-hearted and something that I ever achieved was made doable by them.”

She continued: “I thank them for the alternatives they’ve given me.

“I’ll by no means cease caring for these individuals or this place.

“In all issues I’ve been guided by them – their widespread sense, their willpower, their hopes, their satisfaction in our metropolis and our nation.”

When the end result was introduced at Portsmouth Guildhall, there have been audible gasps of shock.

Talking on BBC Radio Solent, she stated: “I by no means take any election as a right and we labored our socks off and we have labored our socks off for 14 years, and typically the tide is in opposition to you. “

She wished Ms Martin “nicely” and added she would “do all the things we will to assist her”.

In 2022 each Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak requested Ms Mordaunt to function Chief of the Commons and Lord President of the Council.

On this position, she oversaw each the Accession Council following the dying of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III.

The Tory minister gained reward for her stamina, carrying the seventeenth Century Sword of State and Jewelled Sword of Providing for greater than an hour throughout King’s Coronation.

Ms Mordaunt can also be nicely remembered for her look on actuality tv programme Splash!, which she stated was “out of her consolation zone”.

She held roles beneath Conservative leaders Sir John Main and William Hague, and in addition labored for George W Bush’s presidential campaigns in 2000 and 2004.

Underneath the coalition authorities of David Cameron, she served as Parliamentary Underneath-Secretary of State for Decentralisation from 2014 to 2015.

After the 2015 common election, she turned the primary girl to function defence secretary.

She was additionally the primary girl to carry the position of Minister for the Armed Forces that 12 months.

In 2016 she was named Minister for Disabled Individuals, Well being and Work, and in 2017 she turned the Secretary of State for Worldwide Growth.

The 51-year-old has been a Royal Navy reservist since 2009, accomplished officer coaching in 2013, and gained honorary fee in 2019.

She now holds the honorary rank of captain.

The daughter of a paratrooper and a particular wants instructor, Ms Mordaunt has lived in her residence metropolis of Portsmouth for the reason that age of two.

She was educated at Oaklands RC Complete College and was the primary member of her household to go to school.

Earlier than finding out philosophy at Studying College, she labored as a magician’s assistant for a member of the Portsmouth and District Magic Circle, Will Ayling, writer of The Artwork of Phantasm and Oriental Conjuring and Magic.