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Election 2015: Bob Blackman fends off Labour challenge in Harrow East

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Bob Blackman has held his Harrow East seat following a stiff challenge from Labour candidate Uma Kumaran.

The Conservative MP won with a majority of 4,757, an increase of more than 1,300 on his result five years ago.

The victory came despite a strong campaign from Ms Kumaran, who had been leading in some polls in the weeks leading up to polling day.

Mr Blackman received 24,668 votes to Ms Kumaran’s 19,911.

He has been an advocate for Israel and for the protection of Jewish religious practices in the past five years. He said he was “delighted” with the result.

During the campaign the two leading candidates took part in hustings events at synagogues in the constituency, where around 7.3 per cent of voters are Jewish.

Following the declaration, Mr Blackman said: “Many thanks to Harrow East constituents for showing confidence in me to be their representative in the House of Commons.”

Mr Blackman has held leading roles on three parliamentary groups representing the interests of Hindus, Jews and Israel. He even describes himself as a "Chrinjew - a Christian with Jewish roots, and an honorary Hindu".

He was one of only 12 MPs to vote against a motion calling for the unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood last October, and takes the view that Jerusalem should be the capital of Israel and not be shared with the Palestinians.

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