Wycombe MP Steve Baker has been forced to defend himself after losing more than 50 per cent of his majority in last week’s shock General Election – sparking accusations from voters he is not dedicated to his constituency.

However, despite the Conservative party failing to win the majority of seats on Thursday, June 8 Mr Baker was this week appointed as junior minister in the Department for Exiting the European Union by Prime Minister Theresa May.

The politician, who has been Wycombe’s MP since 2010, was re-elected with a total of 26,766 votes compared with 26,444 in the 2015 election – however his majority was slashed by more than half after Labour’s Rafiq Raja came in second place with 20,188 votes.

Wycombe has held its Conservative seat since 1950 however last week’s majority is the lowest it has been for the constituency since 2001 – when the party won by 3,168 votes.

Mr Baker has assured his constituents his new role will “strengthen his influence on local issues” after frustrated voters took to social media to criticise the MP, adding he is “delighted” to have been asked to join the PM’s Government.

Jo Heyburn commented on Facebook: “In Bucks we seem to keep getting a complacent Tory MP who does nothing locally, often needs a sat nav to find his constituency and doesn’t represent us. Then again there’s no incentive as they get voted back time and again with no effort required.”

And Joanna Tate added: “He supposedly represents Wycombe. Wycombe voted to remain. I don't know how he justifies his extreme Brexity-ness to himself. An awful, awful MP.”

Liberal Democrat candidate for Wycombe, Steve Guy, said he was “deeply disappointed” by Steve Baker’s new appointment as it fails to show “consideration for the people of Wycombe who voted to remain.”

He said: “Last week, the British people refused to endorse her [Theresa May’s] vision and took away her parliamentary majority. It is quite clear that she needs to have the humility to listen to that message and not ‘carry on regardless’ with her destructive hard Brexit.

"It is time to listen to a wide range of views and reach a consensus that reflects the will of the people.”

Mr Baker insisted he is “proud” to represent Wycombe: “It has been 31 years since Wycombe was represented by a member of the Government. I hope and expect my role as a minister will strengthen my influence on local issues and help me get the best for local people.”

Labour candidate, Rafiq Raja, believes the “Corbyn factor” played a big part in slashing the Tories majority as the Labour leader harnessed the interest of young supporters.

He said: “I think is the manifesto they put forward was very alienating to sections of the community such as students, pensioners, people on benefits that is the fact.

“The other factor is the Corbyn factor. Lots of people who had never voted before, who previously weren’t interested and then they became interested.”