In a letter to the ‘Newbury Weekly News’, Oscar said “I am grateful to each and every person who supported me for their splendid vote of confidence in the tireless campaigning efforts of local Labour party workers, and in the progressive achievements of the Labour government nationally”.

He paid tribute to his Conservative opponent, wishing newly-elected MP Richard Benyon “every success in his new career in London”. And he drew attention to outgoing MP David Rendel’s contribution to the constituency, saying “I salute the dedication and hard work that David Rendel has given to his constituents over many many years. He was a fine MP for Newbury - and a man of decency and principle on the national stage.”

So what next for the 22 year old, who recorded one of the best performances in the country for Labour when measured in ‘swing’? Oscar has said that the task now for him and his colleagues in the local Labour party is “to hold our Conservative-controlled council and our new MP to account over the years ahead. We must make sure that if they let the people down, they are punished at the ballot box.”

Oscar added “I said in my speech at the count that local people would expect Richard Benyon MP to hold true to his word during the campaign, and act as a moderating force on the undesirable right-wing tendencies of the Tory parliamentary party. We shall be watching his progress at Westminster closely.”