DAME Maria Miller said that her 19 years serving as MP for Basingstoke were "an immense privilege" in a speech after losing to Labour's candidate Luke Murphy in the 2024 General Election.

Following the count, which concluded in the early hours of Friday, July 5, Conservative candidate and former MP Dame Maria took to the podium in the Loddon Vale Indoor Bowling Club to thank the people of Basingstoke for her time as MP.

Remarking that she was the only female candidate standing for election, she said: "It's been a great privilege to be Basingstoke's MP for 19 years.

"I point out that I'm the only woman standing on the stage and I'm the only woman to ever be elected in North Hampshire.

READ MORE: General election 2024 results LIVE as Labour win Basingstoke seat

"I think it's really regrettable that none of the other parties had a woman stand alongside me this campaign and I will continue to do everything that I can to get more women to stand for election."

She told the incoming Labour MP to recognise the importance of the town, and treat it as a "jewel". 

She continued: "It's been an immense privilege to represent one of the greatest towns in the southeast of England.

"It is a great place to live. It is a great place to work. And I know that this is an important success for the Labour Party but you take over Basingstoke and you treat it as a jewel because it is, it's a great place."

SEE ALSO: Luke Murphy vows to be 'most accessible and visible' MP Basingstoke ever had

Maria Miller on stage after the electionMaria Miller on stage after the election (Image: Matt Rooks-Taylor)

She then went on to thank various individuals and organisations who had helped to make the night run smoothly.

"I'd like to thank the returning officers, the army of people who are here, including some that don't live that far away from me who have been canvassing since the early hours of this morning.

"It's without you that our democracy would not work, it's also the people who have manned the polling stations throughout the day as well.

"Our democracy is a really, really special thing and democracy is under threat around the world, and events like this today are what make us very different and we should prize it and we should look after it.

READ MORE: WATCH: Maria Miller spotted running out of election count

"I'd like to thank the police who off and on have come over and said are you okay, do you need any help? They are amazing Police Community Safety Officers.

"And of course the incredible team at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. You've all done an amazing job to bring this off.

"It is a quarter past five, everybody should go home now, and thank you for a fantastic count."

The Gazette has contacted Dame Maria for a comment after the election.