Tory MP Anne Main has fought off attempts to de-select her as the party's candidate in her St Albans constituency at the forthcoming general election.
The St Albans Conservative Association kept faith with Ms Main, 52, and voted against de-selecting her from standing as Tory candidate for the Hertfordshire seat she won from Labour in 2005.
The vote follows allegations that Ms Main's daughter lived rent-free at a flat paid for by the taxpayer.
Speaking after the meeting a beaming Ms Main told the waiting press: "I'm just absolutely delighted to have had the overwhelming support of the Association meeting and I will continue to work on behalf of the people of St Albans.
"I'm truly grateful for all the messages of support that I've had coming in from people who aren't Association members but are the voters and representatives of St Albans so I'm just really delighted."
Ms Main was forced to fight for her political life before about 160 members of the Association.
She spoke to them for 20 minutes outlining her actions regarding the expenses allegations she faces and detailing the "good work" she had done for the area.
A huge cheer rang out from within the hall as the results of the vote were returned.
If Ms Main had lost, the results could have spelt the end of the backbencher's political career.
The Tories have a majority of just 1,361 over Labour in the constituency, with the Liberal Democrats close behind in third.
