Well, it was quite a night! Thank you to everyone who voted for me and Conservatives. The scale of what has happened will take time to sink in, but it is truly historic - and symbolised by nothing better than my friend Jacob Young winning in our neighbouring constituency of Redcar, and overturning a Labour majority of over 9,000.
After two hours sleep, all I want to say tonight is this - we will not let you down. We will govern in the way we campaigned: delivering Brexit, a Freeport, record NHS funding, more police and a strong economy.
I cannot wait to resume work alongside Ben Houchen, our Tees Valley Mayor and my new Conservative MP colleagues from Redcar, Stockton South, Bishop Auckland, Darlington, Sedgefield, North West Durham, Blyth Valley, Hexham and Berwick to deliver for our region and put the North East on the map for the right reasons!
