PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has held a victory rally in his predecessor’s seat, vowing repay the trust of former Labour supporters who helped him win the General Election.

He made a symbolic visit to Tony Blair's old Sedgefield constituency in County Durham, which fell to the Tories on Thursday night, to thank those who switched their political allegiance from red to blue.

The Northern Echo:

Crowds welcome Boris Johnson 

A heavy police presence was in place amid tight security arrangements at Sedgefield Cricket Club just before lunchtime on Saturday.

Details of the high-profile visit remained a closely guarded secret until hours beforehand, but Mr Johnson arrived to a bar packed with Tory supporters who chanted ‘Boris, Boris, Boris’.

Mr Johnson said: “We believe in giving opportunity to everyone.

"We believe that talent is evenly distributed throughout our country, but opportunity is unfairly distributed.

"We are going to rectify that as a One Nation Conservative government, as a people's government, that is what we are going to do."

Sedgefield was one of a swathe of constituencies seats across the North to go blue as the Tories stormed to an 80-seat majority in the new House of Commons.

Some areas, such as Bishop Auckland, had never elected a Tory MP before Thursday.

The Northern Echo:

Mr Johnson stops for a selfie

The event was attended by Dehenna Davison, who replaced Helen Goodman, Richard Holden, who took Laura Pidcock’s seat, and Peter Gibson who ousted Jenny Chapman.

Also present were Paul Howell, Jacob Young and Matt Vickers, the new Tory MPs for Sedgefield, Redcar and Stockton South.

In his speech, Mr Johnson, who said his ancestors come from Darlington, acknowledged how difficult it was for many lifelong Labour supporters to break with the party and cast their votes for the Tories.

Why the tidal wave of Toryism in coalfield communities?

He said: "I understand how big a step that is, and we will repay that trust and deliver on things that matter, not only Brexit, but public services and the NHS."

He told reporters that the country was now united under one Conservative Government, adding: "I'm here to say to the people of Sedgefield, the North-East and the country that I understand the immensity of the change and how big a decision it is to vote for another party, but you have done the right thing.

"We are changing the country for the better, taking the whole country forward."

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The Prime Minister is interviewed by reporters

Mr Johnson told the seven newly-elected Conservative MPs that the hard work starts on Monday in Westminster to deliver better hospitals, safer streets, and better education, as well as Brexit.

He said: "We are not the masters.

“We are the servants, and our job is to serve the people of this country."