ON the night he captured the national spotlight and fended off questions about a challenge for the Conservative leadership, Boris Johnson found time to pay tribute to the man he succeeded as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

Sir John Randall, who still lives in the constituency and enjoyed a large personal following, announced last year he would not be seeking re-election.

Mr Johnson, who will combine his MP duties with his last year of office as Mayor of London, said: “I feel very humble and proud to be stepping into his shoes. He’s been a great MP for this area and he’s done a quite fantastic job.

“I am literally in his shoes now. These shoes came from Randall’s of Uxbridge (the former department store) around 12 years ago.”

He said his message to the voters of Uxbridge and South Ruislip would be that he would work flat out for them.

Of the Conservatives’ resounding national victory on General Election night, he said: "We have to address the magnitude of what has happened and deal with it in a sensible way."

He thinks Conservatives and Labour need to learn to get on and work together to make progress for the nation.

Mr Johnson remains opposed to a third runway at Heathrow and says he is committed to helping raise more funding for Hillingdon Hospital.

His was the third and final Hillingdon result to be declared at Brunel University sports hall and he had a majority of 10,695 over Labour candidate Chris Summers, with UKIP third.

There were 13 candidates for the seat, eight of whom did not make 200 votes.

If Mr Johnson’s success was predictable, so, too, was the victory of Labour’s John McDonnell in neighbouring Hayes and Harlington, a seat he has held for 18 years.

He told supporters: "We wanted change. Unfortunately, it doesn't look as though we have achieved that nationally.

“I fear for the cuts that will come in social security and social benefits. I say our community will not take these cuts.

“We will resist. I will work with any political party, with any MP that will oppose austerity because this is about the protection of our most vulnerable.”

Mr McDonnell had a majority of 15,700 over Conservative Pearl Lewis in second place, with UKIP third.

Conservative Nick Hurd was returned for a third term as MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, brushing aside Labour rival Michael Borio to win by a massive 20,224, with UKIP again in third place.

He disagreed with John McDonnell's assessment of the poor in society.

Mr Hurd said national results showed the Conservatives were trusted to take care of the most vulnerable.

He remains a vocal critic of both Heathrow expansion and plans for the HS2 rail link, where he is seeking a tunnel extension to the other side of the Colne Valley.