He won the seat for second time, polling 23,379 votes in last Thursday's general election.
But by the time the result was declared by the High Sheriff of Hampshire, Anthony Cooke, Tony Blair had already secured a big enough Commons majority to form a government.
And with a lower turnout than in 1997, the Conservative MP's majority was down from 14,398 to 13,257, although he managed to increase his share of the vote.
The declaration that James Arbuthnot had won came at 5 am, following delays in separating general election and county council ballot papers.
Ballot boxes from Bordon and Whitehill, Headley and Liphook did not leave the area for the count until after 11 pm, which added to delays in getting the count underway.
After being returned as MP, Mr Arbuthnot spoke to The Herald about the result.
"It's a Conservative area and I think that the messages that I was getting on the doorstep was positive and friendly and welcoming," he said.
He found people interested in issues that had both national and local implications.
Issues raised included the need and the wish to have a Tesco store in Bordon and a desire that the system should change so that housing is not imposed on an area by central government.
Mr Arbuthnot said the electorate was also keen to keep the pound, rather than scrap it in favour of the euro.
Turnout figures for the constituency, as nationally, showed a drop in those bothering to vote.
In 1997, 73 per cent of the electorate chose to cast their vote. But last Thursday, only 61 per cent of voters in North East Hampshire bothered to make their way to a polling station.
Said Mr Arbuthnot: "I think the main reasons are that, firstly, people are fed up with politicians and secondly, people did not feel that they were in any danger from any of the potential governments, so they felt that it didn't matter."
He believed the downward trend in voting could be a result of people feeling politicians were not talking to the electorate and, more importantly, were not listening to the people they serve.
Voter apathy was something that had to be solved over time.
"I wish I had an easy answer because it's a very important question," said Mr Arbuthot.
During his speech after the result was declared, he promised he would do the "utmost" to serve the area.
"I should thank those in Fleet and Bordon and all of the rest of the constituency for placing their confidence in me to be the Member of Parliament."
Following next day's news that the Conservative leader had stood down, James Arbuthnot said William Hague had made the right decision.
Mr Arbuthnot said it was a brave decision, but one which Mr Hague took for the right reasons.
"I personally think he is an outstanding man and an outstanding politician, but for reasons that I don't understand, he didn't come across to the public."
The nearest challenger to Mr Arbuthnot in the constituency was the Liberal Democrat candidate, Mike Plummer.
Mr Plummer polled 10,122 votes, compared with 11,619 for the party in the 1997 general election.
Mr Plummer said: "I am pleased that people have taken the trouble to cast their vote. I have only been the Liberal Democrat candidate for the last two months and I felt that we put up a pretty good show."
Labour candidate Barry Jones told The Herald the Labour share of the vote had increased since 1997.
He polled 8,744 votes, compared with 8,203 for the party in the 1997 general election.
But the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for the UK Independence candidate Graham Mellstrom, after polling the smallest tally of 1,702.
Supporters of Mr Mellstrom whooped as the result was announced and the UK Independence Party candidate quipped: "Rather noisy for such a small return!"