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Exit poll jolts Tories and sends shock waves through British politics Exit poll jolts Tories and sends shock waves through British politics
(35 minutes later)
At 10pm on Thursday night, an exit poll sent a late-night jolt through the political establishment and the country alike. By the early hours of Friday morning, the aftermath of the shock was still being felt, as the results began to confirm that Theresa May had had a disastrous night. At 10pm on Thursday, an exit poll sent a late-night jolt through the political establishment and the country alike. By the early hours of Friday morning, the aftermath of the shock was still being felt, as the results began to confirm that Theresa May had had a disastrous night.
After weeks of mainly lacklustre campaigning, the first serious indication of what the result could be was an electrifying moment that had broadcasters scrambling to rewrite their scripts. They had a new and confounding storyline to attempt to make sense of: May’s snap election gamble had failed to grant her the authority she said that she desperately needed. After weeks of mainly lacklustre campaigning, the first serious indication of what the result could be was an electrifying moment that had broadcasters scrambling to rewrite their scripts. They had a new and confounding storyline to attempt to make sense of: May’s snap election gamble had failed to grant her the authority she said she desperately needed.
With the Conservatives estimated to win 314 seats – down 17 and 12 short of a majority – and Labour at 266, up 34, with the SNP on 34 and the Liberal Democrats on 14, it was set to be a long, long night for both main parties. With the Conservatives estimated to win 314 seats, down 17 and 12 short of a majority, and Labour at 266, up 34, with the SNP on 34 and the Liberal Democrats on 14, it was set to be a long night for both main parties.
Suddenly the talk that had all been of the scale of Theresa May’s majority turned to coalitions and hung parliaments. Suddenly, the talk that had all been of the scale of Theresa May’s majority turned to coalitions and hung parliaments.
As the night wore on, expectations for both parties waxed and waned, with the accuracy of the exit poll called into question and then endorsed again by each new result. But however the picture changed it still looked bleak for the prime minister. As the night wore on, expectations for both parties waxed and waned, with the accuracy of the exit poll called into question and then endorsed again by each new result. But however the picture changed, it still looked bleak for the prime minister.
Even members of her own party suggested that the “Snowdonia moment” that had led her to call an election three years ahead of schedule, in search of certainty and stability, could be backfiring spectacularly – leaving her with neither. And with that came immediate speculation over how long, or even if, May could survive as party leader. Even members of her party suggested the “Snowdonia moment” that had led her to call an election three years ahead of schedule, in search of certainty and stability, could be backfiring spectacularly, leaving her with neither. And with that came immediate speculation over how long, or even if, May could survive as party leader.
Before either May or Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn broke cover, the startled rabbits-in-headlights served up for public consumption were the defence secretary, Michael Fallon, and the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, who were hearing the poll results perched on the BBC’s election sofa. Before May or the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, broke cover, the startled rabbits in headlights served up for public consumption were the defence secretary, Michael Fallon, and the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, who were hearing the poll results perched on the BBC’s election sofa.
Both were cautious, naturally, given the recent history of polling. “Let’s wait and see,” said Fallon who, if rattled, was putting up a good show. Poll results have been wrong in the past and not a single vote had yet been counted, he cautioned. Both were cautious, naturally, given the recent history of polling. “Let’s wait and see,” said Fallon who, if rattled, was putting up a good show. Poll results have been wrong in the past and not a single vote had yet been counted, he said.
McDonnell, too, initially urged caution. “We have to have some scepticism about all polls at the moment,” he said. But, as the figures began sinking in, an irrepressible hopefulness seemed to engulf him. McDonnell, too, initially urged caution. “We have to have some scepticism about all polls at the moment,” he said. But as the figures began sinking in, an irrepressible hopefulness seemed to engulf him.
People had seen through May, he enthused, and had seen that the election had been called for party advantage rather than for the interests of the country. “People saw this as pure opportunism and it looks as though they have rejected it. Even if the result is anywhere near, this is a catastrophic error,” he added, with no little measure of glee. People had seen through May, he enthused, and realised that the election had been called for party advantage rather than the interests of the country. “People saw this as pure opportunism and it looks as though they have rejected it. Even if the result is anywhere near, this is a catastrophic error,” he added, with no little measure of glee.
By this stage not a single result had yet been declared. The BBC, ITV and Sky, who together commissioned the exit poll, were still in danger of being left with egg on their faces. Political commentators were astounded. Their sources equally so. Unbelievable, seemed to be the general consensus. By this stage, not a single result had been declared. The BBC, ITV and Sky, which together commissioned the exit poll, were still in danger of being left with egg on their faces. Political commentators were astounded. Their sources equally so. Unbelievable, seemed to be the general consensus.
Over on the ITV election sofa, an excitable Ed Balls, former shadow chancellor turned Strictly Come Dancing superstar, was seizing the moment to make a bold punt. “If this is correct we’ll have another general election soon,” he warned. Over on the ITV election sofa, an excitable Ed Balls, the former shadow chancellor turned Strictly Come Dancing superstar, was seizing the moment to make a bold punt. “If this is correct, we’ll have another general election soon,” he said.
Sitting alongside him George Osborne, the former chancellor turned newspaper editor, was predicting that, if the poll was correct, at the very least May could have to resign. “Clearly if she’s got a worse result than two years ago and is almost unable to form a government then she, I doubt, will survive in the long term as Conservative party leader.” Did he relish her discomfiture? Was he, perhaps, now regretting his decision to quit as an MP? Sitting alongside him , George Osborne, the former chancellor turned newspaper editor, was predicting that if the poll were correct, at the very least May could have to resign. “Clearly if she’s got a worse result than two years ago and is almost unable to form a government then she, I doubt, will survive in the long term as Conservative party leader.” Did he relish her discomfort? Was he, perhaps, now regretting his decision to quit as an MP?
Meanwhile Menzies Campbell, the former Liberal Democrat leader, was reminding everyone: “Tim Farron made it very clear: no pact, no deal, no coalition.” The DUP’s Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was contemplating the prospect of his party becoming serious players in a hung parliament, lending support to the Tories. Meanwhile, the former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell was reminding everyone “Tim Farron made it very clear: no pact, no deal, no coalition.” The Democratic Unionist party’s Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was contemplating the prospect of his party becoming serious players in a hung parliament, lending support to the Tories.
Three hours after the poll, Corbyn issued a statement saying: “Whatever the final result, we have already changed the face of British politics.” Within minutes, Labour took its first Scottish seat from the SNP at Rutherglen & Hamilton. Three hours after the poll, Corbyn issued a statement saying: “Whatever the final result, we have already changed the face of British politics.” Within minutes, Labour took its first Scottish seat from the Scottish National party – Rutherglen and Hamilton West.
Corbyn arrived at his count at 2am, beaming broadly, with a thumbs up, and the body language of a man who knows he’s unassailable as party leader. May, he said, had wanted a mandate. “Well the mandate she’s got is lost conservative seats, lost votes, lost support and lost confidence. I would have thought that’s enough to go, actually, and make way for a government that will be truly representative of all of the people of this country”. Corbyn arrived at his count at 2am, beaming broadly, giving a thumbs up and demonstrating the body language of a man who believes he is unassailable as party leader. May, he said, had wanted a mandate. “Well the mandate she’s got is lost conservative seats, lost votes, lost support and lost confidence. I would have thought that’s enough to go, actually, and make way for a government that will be truly representative of all of the people of this country,” he said.
Theresa May swept briskly into her count at 2.45am with a fixed grimace on her face, husband Philip trotting at her side. In her victory speech she appeared to accept her hopes of an increased majority were over, saying only that if the Conservatives did win the most seats and the most votes ‘it will be incumbent on us to ensure that we have that period of stability, and that is what we will do”. May swept briskly into her count at 2.45am with a fixed grimace on her face, her husband, Philip, at her side. In her victory speech, she appeared to accept that her hopes of an increased majority were over, saying only that if the Conservatives won the most seats and votes, “it will be incumbent on us to ensure that we have that period of stability, and that is what we will do”.
Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson had speculated foreign secretary Boris Johnson would now be “sharpening his knife” for a leadership challenge. Johnson, had arrived at his own count, saying only of the nights events that it was “early days.” Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, had speculated that the foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, would be “sharpening his knife” for a leadership challenge. Johnson arrived at his count in Uxbridge and South Ruislip saying of the night’s events that it was “early days”.
Labour’s gains included the symbolic toppling of Ben Gummer in Ipswich, author of the Tory manifesto. Another scalp was former deputy prime minister, Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg, who looked visibly upset at losing the Sheffield Hallam seat he had held since 2005. Within moments, Liberal Democrat Vince Cable had regained Twickenham, and party leader Tim Farron had clung onto his seat by less than 1,000 votes. Labour’s gains included the symbolic toppling in Ipswich of Ben Gummer, the author of the Conservative manifesto. Another scalp was former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, who looked visibly upset at losing the Sheffield Hallam seat he had held for the Lib Dems since 2005. Within moments, Vince Cable regained Twickenham for the Lib Dems, while the party’s leader, Tim Farron, clung on to his Westmorland and Lonsdale seat with a majority of less than 1,000.
Other big losses included SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson who lost Moray to Conservative Douglas Ross, and was one of a number of SNP casualties. Other big losses included the SNP’s Westminster leader, Angus Robertson, who lost Moray to the Conservative Douglas Ross, and was one of a number of casualties for the party.
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker summed it all up succinctly on Twitter: “I think Theresa May has won own goal of the season”. The Sun, which backed the Tories, was even more direct. “Mayhem”, their front page read. The Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker provided a succinct summary on Twitter.
Even with just five seats declared, the shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, was daring to dream. “We could form the next government,” she said. “How?” barked BBC election veteran David Dimbleby. Even the generous exit poll put Labour 50 seats behind. By asking other parties on a vote by vote basis, no coalition, no deals, a minority government, Thornberry theorised. “So, not a coalition of chaos, just chaos?” questioned Dimbleby. I think Theresa May has won own goal of the season.
If the early voting results and poll showed anything, it was that two-party politics was back, said the international trade secretary, Liam Fox. Labour’s Clive Lewis thought it showed May’s Brexit negotiations, due to start in 10 days, would be “a complete clusterfuck”. The Sun, which backed the Tories, was even more direct, putting the headline “Mayhem” on its front page.
If it was a night of upsets, there was none greater than that of Newcastle stealing the crown for fastest count from its neighbour and rival Sunderland. After five seats had been declared, the shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, was daring to dream. “We could form the next government,” she said. “How?” asked the BBC’s David Dimbleby, with the exit poll putting Labour 50 seats behind in mind. Thornberry suggested Labour could ask other parties on a vote by vote basis, with no coalition, no deals – a minority government. He replied: “So, not a coalition of chaos, just chaos?”
For 25 years and six general elections Sunderland has been the first count in the country to declare. But its proud record fell at 11pm, as Newcastle Central declared with Labour’s candidate, Chi Onwurah, winning and the Labour vote up 9.9% . Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, said the early voting results and exit poll showed two-party politics was back. Labour’s Clive Lewis said they suggested May’s Brexit negotiations, due to start in 10 days, would be “a complete clusterfuck”.
Long before the drama of the exit poll appeared to blow apart expectations, a different kind of tension had animated election day. The polls opened at 7am amid heightened security, after the general election campaign had twice been interrupted by terrorist atrocities, in Manchester and London. In the first upset of the night, Newcastle stole the crown for fastest election count from its neighbour and rival Sunderland, which has been first to declare for 25 years and six general elections.
For the party leaders the end of almost two months of interviews, rallies, catchphrases, U-turns, brain fades and no-shows will have come as a relief, leaving them with nothing to do except cast their own votes and smile for the cameras outside their local polling stations. Long before the drama of the exit poll confounded expectations, a different kind of tension had animated election day. The polls opened at 7am amid heightened security, after a general election campaign twice interrupted by terrorist attacks in Manchester and London.
For the party leaders, the end of almost two months of interviews, rallies, catchphrases, U-turns, brain fades and no-shows will have come as a relief, leaving them with nothing to do except cast their votes and smile for the cameras outside their local polling stations.
The prime minister greeted reporters with a brisk “hello” before voting early with her husband, Philip, in their home village of Sonning, Berkshire, but did not speak further.The prime minister greeted reporters with a brisk “hello” before voting early with her husband, Philip, in their home village of Sonning, Berkshire, but did not speak further.
By contrast Corbyn, beamed broadly as he voted in his north London constituency, sporting a bright red tie and Labour rosette. “Thank you all very much for coming here today,” he told waiting reporters. “It’s a day of our democracy. I’ve just voted and I’m very proud of our campaign.” By contrast, Corbyn beamed broadly as he voted in his north London constituency, sporting a bright red tie and Labour rosette. “Thank you all very much for coming here today,” he told waiting reporters. “It’s a day of our democracy. I’ve just voted and I’m very proud of our campaign.”
There were scuffles among photographers outside the Lake District polling station where Tim Farron, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, cast his vote. There were scuffles among photographers outside the Lake District polling station where Farron cast his vote.
Meanwhile Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Conservative leader, joined a social media trend by posting pictures on Twitter under the hashtag #dogsatpollingstations, bringing along her pet, Wilson, when she cast her vote in central Edinburgh. Meanwhile, Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Conservative leader, joined a social media trend by posting pictures on Twitter under the hashtag #dogsatpollingstations, bringing along her dog, Wilson, when she cast her vote in central Edinburgh.
Team Davidson voting in Edinburgh this morning. Wilson's #dogsatpollingstations debut... pic.twitter.com/QdM4cAmMMjTeam Davidson voting in Edinburgh this morning. Wilson's #dogsatpollingstations debut... pic.twitter.com/QdM4cAmMMj
Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister and leader of the Scottish National party, said she was feeling good and waved at photographers after voting at a Glasgow community hall. Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister and SNP leader, said she was feeling good and waved at photographers after voting at a Glasgow community hall.
Voters reported queues early in the morning outside polling stations; others posted photographs of young people waiting in line to vote, including at the universities of East Anglia, Kent and Warwick, and at polling booths in the two constituencies in Oxford. Voters reported queued early in the morning outside polling stations, while others posted photographs of young people waiting in line to vote, including at the universities of East Anglia, Kent and Warwick, and at polling booths in two Oxford constituencies.
Voters in Northern Ireland, who were casting their ballots just three months after a snap assembly election caused by a collapse in power-sharing, turned out to polling stations in heavy rain. Voters in Northern Ireland, who were casting their ballots three months after a snap assembly election caused by a collapse in power sharing, turned out to polling stations in heavy rain.
The Alliance candidate for Belfast West, Sorcha Eastwood, cast her vote at Lisburn in her wedding dress, having married Dale Shirlow earlier in the day. The Alliance candidate for Belfast West, Sorcha Eastwood, cast her vote in Lisburn in her wedding dress, having married Dale Shirlow earlier in the day.
In her final message of the campaign on Wednesday, May sought once again to steer the campaign back to Brexit,. In her final message of the campaign on Wednesday, May sought once again to steer the campaign back to Brexit.
In a message aimed directly at wavering voters, she added: “I can only build that better country and get the right deal in Brussels with the support of the British people” In a message aimed directly at wavering voters, she said: “I can only build that better country and get the right deal in Brussels with the support of the British people”
Corbyn closed his campaign on Wednesday by addressing a packed rally in his Islington heartland, where he claimed to have reshaped British politics and vowed that Labour was preparing for government. “We have already changed the debate and given people hope,” he said. “Hope that it doesn’t have to be like this, that inequality can be tackled, that austerity can be ended, that you can stand up to the elites and the cynics. This is the new centre-ground.” For his supporters, by the early hours of the morning, that hope was still alive. Corbyn closed his campaign on Wednesday by addressing a packed rally in Islington, where he claimed to have reshaped British politics and vowed that Labour was preparing for government. “We have already changed the debate and given people hope,” he said. “Hope that it doesn’t have to be like this, that inequality can be tackled, that austerity can be ended, that you can stand up to the elites and the cynics. This is the new centre-ground.” For his supporters, by the early hours of the morning, that hope was still alive.