Ready for the challenge in a constituency of contrasts

The leader of Bradford City Council overcame a 4,852 Labour majority thanks to an 8.3 per cent swing to the Tories.

Runner-up Jane Thomas, who replaced the retiring Ann Cryer, gained 17,063 votes, with Liberal Democrat Nader Fekri a distant third with 7,059.

Mr Hopkins said: "I am very pleased and proud. It is very humbling and there is a huge sense of responsibility that comes with this.

"This is my home town and to be given the opportunity to represent Keighley is a very special moment.

"We tried to take a positive message to people and obviously it came through, as we turned around a sizable majority with an impressive swing."

He admitted that the constituency presents very diverse problems, but was looking forward to the challenge.

The seat centres on the two towns of Keighley and Ilkley which, although only separated by a few miles, are worlds apart.

The deprived estates in Keighley have in the past been a BNP stronghold, and immigration and racial tension are concerns for voters. West Keighley was briefly the BNP's safest council seat after they won in 2004 and the Parliamentary seat was contested by Nick Griffin in 2005.

Mr Hopkins said he is also looking to offer more support for the rural community that surround the towns, who he feels have been let down by Labour.

He declined to comment on whether his party should enter into a coalition Government with the Liberal Democrats, saying: "I am confident that David Cameron will offer the clear and strong leadership required and a clear sense of purpose.

"We know about the public's trust in Parliament and we need to knuckle down to sort out Britain's problems."