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Election results 2017: Labour 'could form government' says Thornberry Election results 2017: Labour 'could form government' says Thornberry
(35 minutes later)
Labour could form a minority government, the party's shadow foreign secretary has claimed.Labour could form a minority government, the party's shadow foreign secretary has claimed.
Emily Thornberry said Theresa May has not secured a mandate and Labour could call on other parties to support a programme for government.Emily Thornberry said Theresa May has not secured a mandate and Labour could call on other parties to support a programme for government.
A BBC/ITV/Sky exit poll has predicted 266 seats for Labour, up 34 seats compared with the 2015-2017 Parliament.A BBC/ITV/Sky exit poll has predicted 266 seats for Labour, up 34 seats compared with the 2015-2017 Parliament.
The Conservatives were projected to win 314, which would leave them short of a majority.The Conservatives were projected to win 314, which would leave them short of a majority.
The GFK/Ipsos MORI poll for BBC/ITV/Sky forecast the Lib Dems on 14, UKIP with no seats and the SNP 34.The GFK/Ipsos MORI poll for BBC/ITV/Sky forecast the Lib Dems on 14, UKIP with no seats and the SNP 34.
With an overall majority for the Conservatives possible but not certain and Labour behind them in the early seat projection, Ms Thornberry said: "Obviously we're disappointed if we're not able to form a majority government."With an overall majority for the Conservatives possible but not certain and Labour behind them in the early seat projection, Ms Thornberry said: "Obviously we're disappointed if we're not able to form a majority government."
But she added: "For us to have come from such a long way back, supposedly, to be in a position where we could form the next government is an extraordinary performance on behalf of the Labour Party and shows what we can do when we unite."But she added: "For us to have come from such a long way back, supposedly, to be in a position where we could form the next government is an extraordinary performance on behalf of the Labour Party and shows what we can do when we unite."
Ms Thornberry was asked how Labour would able to form a minority government instead of the Conservatives and responded: "We would put forward a Queen's Speech and a Budget. Our Labour MPs would vote for it and we would call on the other parties to vote for it as well."Ms Thornberry was asked how Labour would able to form a minority government instead of the Conservatives and responded: "We would put forward a Queen's Speech and a Budget. Our Labour MPs would vote for it and we would call on the other parties to vote for it as well."
If they did not: "It would then be up to them, wouldn't it, to explain to their constituents how it was that when given the choice, they let the Tories back in again."If they did not: "It would then be up to them, wouldn't it, to explain to their constituents how it was that when given the choice, they let the Tories back in again."
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon spoke during the election campaign of a desire to form a "progressive alternative" to the Tories and supporting Labour on a "case by case" basis if the numbers added up. However, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn ruled out a formal deal with the SNP.SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon spoke during the election campaign of a desire to form a "progressive alternative" to the Tories and supporting Labour on a "case by case" basis if the numbers added up. However, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn ruled out a formal deal with the SNP.
If the final results exactly replicated the exit poll and the SNP, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Greens backed them, Labour could expect the support of 318 MPs, four more than the Tories are projected to get but still short of an overall majority. If the final results exactly replicated the exit poll and the SNP, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Greens backed them, Labour could expect the support of 318 MPs, four more than the Tories are projected to get, but still short of an overall majority.
Responding to the exit poll, Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas said: "Any Green MPs elected tonight will do all they can to keep the Tories from Number 10, and back a Labour-led government on a case by case basis."Responding to the exit poll, Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas said: "Any Green MPs elected tonight will do all they can to keep the Tories from Number 10, and back a Labour-led government on a case by case basis."
However, the Liberal Democrat press office tweeted: "We are getting a lot of calls so just to be clear: No coalition. No deals."However, the Liberal Democrat press office tweeted: "We are getting a lot of calls so just to be clear: No coalition. No deals."
Polling expert Peter Kellner said early results indicated the Conservatives had done better than the exit poll predicted and Labour worse.Polling expert Peter Kellner said early results indicated the Conservatives had done better than the exit poll predicted and Labour worse.
Speaking to the BBC, shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: "We have to have some scepticism about all polls."Speaking to the BBC, shadow chancellor John McDonnell said: "We have to have some scepticism about all polls."
But he added: "We tried to have an extremely positive campaign. We modelled it around Jeremy's character."But he added: "We tried to have an extremely positive campaign. We modelled it around Jeremy's character."
It comes at the end of a campaign that has seen leader Jeremy Corbyn address thousands at a series of campaign rallies.It comes at the end of a campaign that has seen leader Jeremy Corbyn address thousands at a series of campaign rallies.
But local candidates reported voters voicing doubts about his leadership on the doorstep.But local candidates reported voters voicing doubts about his leadership on the doorstep.
In the 2015 general election, Labour won 229 seats under former leader Ed Miliband, down from the 258 seats secured in 2010.In the 2015 general election, Labour won 229 seats under former leader Ed Miliband, down from the 258 seats secured in 2010.
It went into the 2017 election with 232 seats.It went into the 2017 election with 232 seats.
When Prime Minister Theresa May announced the election in April, her Conservative Party had a big double-digit lead in many polls and hoped for a landslide victory. However, the campaign saw the Tories' poll lead narrowing.When Prime Minister Theresa May announced the election in April, her Conservative Party had a big double-digit lead in many polls and hoped for a landslide victory. However, the campaign saw the Tories' poll lead narrowing.
The BBC's Nick Robinson said few in Mr Corbyn's team thought Labour would win outright - but a result matching the poll would give "enormous power to Jeremy Corbyn, in Parliament and within his party". Labour deputy leader Tom Watson called the early results "very promising for Labour" and called Mrs May "a damaged prime minister whose reputation may never recover".
Former Labour cabinet minister Jack Straw, a critic of Mr Corbyn's leadership, said he would be "delighted" if the exit polled turned out to be accurate. Mr Watson said he thought Mr Corbyn's leadership of Labour was safe. "It would be very foolish for anyone to want to stand down in the Labour Party tonight after this result."
"The Labour Party as a whole has been very disciplined in this election," he added. But added: "I can see Boris Johnson sharpening the knives for Theresa May after this result."