Labour MPs Margaret Hodge and Jon Cruddas have retained their parliamentary seats in Barking and Dagenham and Rainham.

Margaret Hodge secured the top spot with a comfortable 24, 826 votes, sweeping UKIP into second place with 9554.

The former chair of the Public Accounts Committee will continue her reign over Barking after it was announced tonight she will hold on to the constituency she’s represented since 1994.

Speaking to the Post after her victory she said: “I feel stunningly wonderful, very humble and very privileged.

“This is the sixth time I’ve been elected locally. I think we’ve done quite well.”

In a nod to her win against the British National Party in 2010 she added: “Last time we were fighting fascism, this time it’s a different battle with UKIP.”

A total of 43,176 votes were cast in Barking with a turn out of 58.36 per cent, a drop of 3.44pc since 2010.

The party’s policy coordinator won his fourth consecutive election with 70, 830 votes in Dagenham and Rainham.

Mr Cruddas, who has represented Dagenham since 2001, beat UKIP to the top spot.

Speaking to the Post after his victory he said: “I am relieved and very happy, it was three-way fight but the Labour vote held up.

“It’s always a different story in Dagenham and Rainham to elsewhere but we did it.”

Earlier in the night, Mr Cruddas, said it wouldn’t surprise him “at all” if the result was close.

“I don’t have a clue what’s going on yet really, we’ve just got to wait and see what happens – one box is ticked here but you’ve no idea what’s going on elsewhere,” he said.

“In 2010 the Conservative’s said they’d won it at this time, so I say let’s see what happens with UKIP.

“It’s going to be a long, interesting night.”

A total of 43,158 votes were cast in Dagenham and Rainham with a turnout of 62.43 per cent – a drop of 1.14pc from 2010.

More to follow.