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Counting under way as polls shut 'Let's work together,' says Hain
(about 1 hour later)
The polls have closed across Wales and the rest of the UK in probably the closest general election for decades. Peter Hain says Labour must work with other "progressive" parties in parliament if the Conservatives fail to win a majority in the general election.
Counting has begun in the 40 Welsh seats, with all results due overnight. The Welsh secretary was reacting to exit polls suggesting the Tories will fall short of an overall majority.
Labour, who have a notional 30 seats, will hope their support holds up, while Conservatives aim to snatch several seats from the government. Mr Hain's remarks will be seen as a call for Labour and the Liberal Democrats to strike a deal.
Liberal Democrats aim to add the likes of Newport East to their four seats, while Plaid Cymru have targeted Llanelli and Ceredigion. He said things may change overnight, but he suggested David Cameron had failed to "seal the deal" with voters.
Mr Hain spoke to BBC Wales after a joint BBC/Sky/ITV exit poll suggested the Conservatives will fall 19 seats short of a Commons majority.
He said: "If there is a progressive majority in parliament... then I think we have an obligation to try to make that work".
2005 ELECTION IN WALES Labour: 29 seats (42.7%)Liberal Democrat: 4 (18.4%)Conservative: 3 (21.4%)Plaid Cymru: 3 (12.6%)Independent: 1Labour have a notional total of 30 at the 2010 election, with Aberconwy a new seat2005 ELECTION IN WALES Labour: 29 seats (42.7%)Liberal Democrat: 4 (18.4%)Conservative: 3 (21.4%)Plaid Cymru: 3 (12.6%)Independent: 1Labour have a notional total of 30 at the 2010 election, with Aberconwy a new seat
According to a joint BBC/Sky/ITV exit poll, the Conservatives will fall 19 seats short of a Commons majority. According to the exit poll, the Conservatives would have 307 MPs, up 97 on 2005, Labour would have 255, down 94, and the Lib Dems 59, down 4. Nationalists and others would have 29.
The Conservatives would have 307 MPs, up 97 on 2005, Labour would have 255, down 94, and the Lib Dems 59, down 4. Nationalists and others would have 29. All exit polls have a small margin of error which could be significant in a tight election such as this one, in which the three main Westminster parties have been so close in the opinion polls. There could also be different voting patterns around the country.
The exit poll was conducted at 130 polling stations across the UK by NOP and Mori. Labour, who have a notional 30 seats, will hope their support holds up, while Conservatives aim to snatch several seats from the government.
Liberal Democrats aim to add the likes of Newport East to their four seats, while Plaid Cymru have targeted Llanelli.
All results are due in the 40 Welsh seats overnight, with Wrexham and Ynys Mon among likely earliest declarations.
In early indications from the counts, Labour sources said they were confident of holding Ynys Mon with an increased majority.
Senior Plaid sources said they were essentially conceding defeat in Ceredigion, suggesting the Lib Dem majority will increase quite significantly.
Labour's Julie Morgan said if the exit poll is right, she expects to lose Cardiff North - but she was not accepting defeat yet.
Talking to BBC Wales just after midnight, she said: "We have certainly had a very warm reception wherever we've been in the constituency. But it's very difficult to go against a swing that's against you. I've always had to fight the seat like a marginal."
Elsewhere, Labour are expected to hold Clwyd South, Labour and Lib Dem sources have said.
Different voting patternsDifferent voting patterns
All exit polls have a small margin of error which could be significant in a tight election such as this one, in which the three main Westminster parties have been so close in the opinion polls.
There could also be different voting patterns around the country.
Responding to the TV exit poll, Labour AM Welsh Education Minister Leighton Andrews told BBC Wales: "I don't think at this stage we know much more than what the polls have been suggesting over the course of the last few weeks.Responding to the TV exit poll, Labour AM Welsh Education Minister Leighton Andrews told BBC Wales: "I don't think at this stage we know much more than what the polls have been suggesting over the course of the last few weeks.
"I am very encouraged by what Labour candidates and others have been saying about the turnout of Labour voters.""I am very encouraged by what Labour candidates and others have been saying about the turnout of Labour voters."
ELECTION ON BBC WALES AND S4C Web: bbc.co.uk/walesDigital text: Full results serviceBBC One Wales: Election 2010 Wales with Huw Edwards and Betsan Powys, 2155 BSTS4C: Etholiad 2010, with Dewi Llwyd and Vaughan Roderick, 2200 BSTRadio Wales: Election Special with Adrian Masters and Sarah Dickins, 2200 BSTRadio Cymru: Canlyniadau'r Etholiad Cyffredinol 2010, with Garry Owen and Elin Gwilym, 2200 BSTELECTION ON BBC WALES AND S4C Web: bbc.co.uk/walesDigital text: Full results serviceBBC One Wales: Election 2010 Wales with Huw Edwards and Betsan Powys, 2155 BSTS4C: Etholiad 2010, with Dewi Llwyd and Vaughan Roderick, 2200 BSTRadio Wales: Election Special with Adrian Masters and Sarah Dickins, 2200 BSTRadio Cymru: Canlyniadau'r Etholiad Cyffredinol 2010, with Garry Owen and Elin Gwilym, 2200 BST
Former Welsh Lib Dem leader Mike German said of the exit poll: "I can tell you that doesn't square with what I'm feeling and what I'm seeing."Former Welsh Lib Dem leader Mike German said of the exit poll: "I can tell you that doesn't square with what I'm feeling and what I'm seeing."
In Wales, Conservatives are hoping to take Cardiff North and the Vale of Glamorgan from Labour. In Wales, Conservatives are hoping to take the Vale of Glamorgan as well as Cardiff North.
They are also targeting key seats in north east Wales, from the Vale of Clwyd and Delyn to Clwyd South, constituencies which could indicate David Cameron is heading to Downing Street.They are also targeting key seats in north east Wales, from the Vale of Clwyd and Delyn to Clwyd South, constituencies which could indicate David Cameron is heading to Downing Street.
The new seat of Aberconwy, which is notionally held by Labour after boundary changes, is also a Tory target.The new seat of Aberconwy, which is notionally held by Labour after boundary changes, is also a Tory target.
Labour will hope their voters turn out. After Welsh Secretary Peter Hain urged anti-Tory electors to vote "intelligently", they may also rely on supporters of other parties to back Labour in seats where the Tories could win. Meanwhile, Labour hopes to win back Blaenau Gwent, one of their valley strongholds until it was taken by independent Dai Davies in 2005.
Labour will also hope to win back Blaenau Gwent, which was one of their valley strongholds until it was won by the independent Dai Davies in 2005. Plaid Cymru would like to retake Ynys Mon, held by leader Ieuan Wyn Jones in the Welsh assembly and also trying to take Llanelli from Labour.
Plaid Cymru would like to retake Ynys Mon, which is held by their leader Ieuan Wyn Jones in the Welsh assembly. Plaid are also trying to take Llanelli from Labour, and Ceredigion from the Lib Dems.
At a UK level, Plaid will also be hoping for a hung parliament - or a balanced parliament as they put it - where they can team up with the SNP to gain concessions for Wales and Scotland from a minority government.At a UK level, Plaid will also be hoping for a hung parliament - or a balanced parliament as they put it - where they can team up with the SNP to gain concessions for Wales and Scotland from a minority government.
Lib Dems want to hold off the Tories in Montgomeryshire and Brecon and Radnorshire, and have also focused on Swansea West and Newport East.Lib Dems want to hold off the Tories in Montgomeryshire and Brecon and Radnorshire, and have also focused on Swansea West and Newport East.
The last general election in 2005 saw 62.6% of voters in Wales cast their ballots, which was up from the 2001 figure of 62.4%.
A recent survey by YouGov suggested that 73% of the estimated 2.3m eligible adults in Wales intended to vote this time.