He retained the Hampshire North East constituency, polling 25,407 votes in last Thursday's election. By the time Mr Arbuthnot was confirmed as the MP, Tony Blair had long since left his Sedgefield constituency to make his way back to 10 Downing Street.
Fifty-eight per cent of people took the time to vote which was slightly down on the 2001 turnout of 62 per cent. The Conservative MP maintained his dominance in the area with almost twice the amount of votes of his nearest rival, Liberal Democrat Adam Carew, who managed 12,858. The Conservative majority was 12,549 compared to 13,257 in 2001.
The declaration that Mr Arbuthnot was once again victorious did not come until 7-30 am because the count was held up due to the fact the county and general election votes were separated, as well as some delays with the postal votes.
After being returned as MP, Mr Arbuthnot took time to thank the people who helped him to his position.
"I'd like to thank my own political party and the enormous support I have got, from many many people in this constituency, from Colin Maylum, my association chairman, Beverly Carpenter, my agent, Glynnis Watts, my campaign director and many, many others. Without you, democracy would not be defended and it needs to be because it is the best system in the world," Mr Arbuthnot enthused.
He also praised his competitors adding: "I think it has been an extremely clean and well- fought campaign and I hope Adam Carew and Kevin McGrath have a very long and glittering political future, but not here."
Mr Arbuthnot said that he needed to work on the pledges that he made during the election campaign, such as over-development of the area.
"This is caused by central government and these decisions need to be made by local government. We don't need local decisions being over-ridden by central government, so I will represent the constituency in Westminster," Mr Arbuthnot said.
The Conservative MP felt disappointed that the turnout was down on last time, blaming it on people believing that a well-run government will always be voted in.
"People do not value democracy nowadays. I think that there is far too much complacency, we really need a higher turnout," Mr Arbuthnot said.
Mr Carew, the Liberal Democrat candidate was happy with the progress which his party had made, with a vote increase of 2,736 on 2001. He said: "It is clear that Labour's majority has been substantially reduced and at the same time the Conservatives have not had the breakthrough they were hoping for. The Liberal Democrats have increased in votes and seats and we are delighted with that. "In North East Hants I think with have fought a very positive campaign based on the issues that affect people in this area. About tuition fees, about council tax, about putting green issues on the agenda and more police on the streets."
Mr Carew thanked his opposition before praising the voters.
"I would also like to thank the people of North East Hampshire because they've come out in large numbers to vote which is very important. I think the turnout has proven that they are far from apathetic, which is only good for democracy," said Mr Carew.
Labour candidate Kevin McGrath who polled 7,630 votes compared to 8,744 in 2001, thanked the returning officer and the counting team as well as all the people who had assisted him with his campaign, saving a special mention for his wife.