Reigate MP Crispin Blunt is championing a campaign to make sure General Election votes are counted in the borough council's chambers straight after the polls close.

The Conservative MP has written to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's chief executive, Nigel Clifford, calling for the council to back the Save General Election Night campaign.

Mr Blunt called for the council not to delay the vote count until the next morning.

He said: “It is important to encourage people to be interested and engaged with politics.

“Delaying the General Election count and destroying the vibrancy and anticipation of General Election night will undermine this aim.”

In his letter to Mr Clifford, Mr Blunt said: “It has come to my attention that at the next General Election, a number of returning officers at councils across the country are planning to count votes on the morning after the polls close, instead of the same evening.

“Having spoken to the returning officer, Peter Dungate, I gather that you are as yet undecided as to which approach you will take.”

Mr Blunt continued: “I am sure that you are aware of the arguments of the Save General Election Night campaign which commands widespread cross-party support.

“I believe it is important that the country knows who their next government will be as soon as possible after an election.”

Mr Blunt said: “It is important that we encourage people to take an active interest in politics. An engaged electorate brings vitality and vibrancy to the political debate.

“In the light of this, I believe it would be regrettable for Reigate and Banstead to contribute to undermining the vibrancy that follows the close of polls by delaying the count.

“I hope you continue to have the General Election count in the normal way.”