Ten hours after the polls closed, the UK has witnessed the most significant Conservative majority since 1987. With 648 of 650 seats declared, the exit poll seems to have been quite accurate.
Extraordinary results have rolled in from across the north of England and the Midlands, showing a substantial swing in favour of the Conservatives. In the ELL boroughs, Labour has held onto all of its seats in Hackney and Lewisham, with reduced majorities, while Labour increased its majorities in Tower Hamlets.
A number of wider London seats have changed hands including Zac Goldsmith’s Richmond Park which was won by the Lib Dems and Putney which was won by Labour’s Fleur Anderson.
Follow us LIVE here with all the updates from the 10 constituencies across Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, and Croydon. We will also keep on top of the picture nationally and here in London.
- Labour hold Lewisham East, Labour hold Lewisham West and Penge, Labour hold Lewisham Deptford.
- Labour hold Hackney North and Stoke Newington, Labour hold Hackney South and Shoreditch
- Labour hold Bethnal Green and Bow, Labour hold Poplar and Limehouse.
- Labour hold Croydon Central, Labour hold Croydon North, Conservatives hold Croydon South
- ACTUAL COUNT: Conservatives: 363 (+47), Labour: 203 (-59), SNP: 48 (+13), Liberal Democrats: 11 (-1), DUP: 8 (-2), Other: 15 (+2)
- Jeremy Corbyn announces he will stand down in the future after being re-elected in Islington North.
08:00 LIVE BLOG FINISHED
That’s all for tonight, thanks for sticking with us! Check back later for updates and full news coverage from the Eastlondonlines boroughs.
07:22 ON TWITTER
Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks in Westminster, following Conservative win.
07:09 ELL REPORTS
06:38 ELL REPORTS
ELL’s Dom Webb reporting from the Croydon Count: Chris Philp holds Croydon South for the Conservatives.
In his victory speech, he said: I may disagree with the other candidates but I appreciate the passion, sincerity and conviction of their beliefs.” He continued: “One policy we can all agree on is no more December elections.”
Labour’s Olga FitzRoy said that she was “devastated” about the national result and added, “we need a serious rethink of our position.”
06:35 CROYDON SOUTH RESULTS
Conservative HOLD for Chris Philp who polled 30,985 with an increased majority of 12,339.
- Chris Philp – Conservative 30,985
- Olga FitzRoy – Labour 18,646
- Anna Jones – Liberal Democrats 7503
- Peter Underwood – The Green Party 1782
- Kathleen Garner – UKIP 442
06:24 ON TWITTER
Not a good night for Count Binface:
06:09 ELL REPORTS
ELL’s Dom Webb reporting from the Croydon Count: Labour’s Steve Reed holds Croydon North. In his victory speech, Reed said: “It’s been a good clean fight…it is the honour of my life to serve the people of Croydon North”
He continued: “The results nationally for the Labour Party are devastating and I know this morning we are all hurting…although this defeat nationally is very painful, I know that our Labour values are the community’s values too.”
06:08 ANALYSIS
Caitlin Griffith Otway on Labour’s Red Wall crumbling
In the early hours of Friday morning, after a devastating exit poll for the Labour Party, Labour’s “red-wall” seats began to fall to the Conservatives. In a campaign dominated by Brexit, leave-voting seats in the North and the Midlands swung significantly to the Conservatives, in favour of the PM’s “get Brexit done” strategy.
Extraordinary results in favour of the Tory party rolled in in former mining communities across the North including Blyth Valley, with North Staffordshire seats turning blue including Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent North which voted over 72% to leave.
Bishop Auckland, Wrexham, Burnley and Workington which voted over 61% to leave, have all been taken by the Tories. The picture that is quickly emerging is that Labour working class voters did not connect with Jeremy Corbyn or his position on Brexit.
Recrimination began quickly within the Labour Party, with senior figures including Margaret Hodge openly calling for Corbyn’s resignation.
In his speech in Islington following the count for his seat which he won with 34,603 votes, Corbyn said he will lead the party through “a period of reflection” but will not lead Labour into another election campaign.
06:00 CROYDON NORTH RESULTS
Labour HOLD for Steve Reed who polled 36,495 with a reduced majority of 23,673.
- Steve Reed – Labour 35,495
- Donald Ekekhomen – Conservative 11,822
- Claire Bonham – Liberal Democrats 4,476
- Rachel Chance – The Green Party 1,629
- Chidi Ngwaba – The Brexit Party 839
- Candace Mitchell – Christian People’s Party 348
05:58 ANALYSIS
Caitlin Griffith Otway on the Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson losing her seat
Jo Swinson has been narrowly defeated in Dunbartonshire East, a constituency she has represented since 2017, having previously held the Scottish seat between 2005 and 2015. She was defeated by SNP candidate Amy Callaghan who won with a 149 vote majority. The Lib Dem leader won the seat in 2017 by a margin of 5,339 votes, but was targeted by the SNP this election.
In a speech following her defeat, Jo Swinson said: “For millions of people in our country, these results will bring dread and dismay… I still believe that as a country we can be warm and generous, inclusive and open, and by working together with our nearest neighbours we can achieve so much more.”
The night was disappointing for the Lib Dems across the board, winning just a handful of seats. Tory minister Zac Goldsmith was defeated in Richmond Park, west London, by Lib Dem candidate Sarah Olney. But former Labour MP, Luciana Berger, failed to win Finchley and Golders Green from Tory incumbent Mike Freer.
In other high profile constituencies for the Lib Dems, Chuka Umunna and Sam Gyimah, former Labour and Tory MPs, lost their attempts to win Cities of London & Westminster and Kensington.
05:35 ELL REPORTS
ELL’s Dominic Webb and Evie Breese reports from the Croydon count: Despite her win, Jones told ELL “it would be wrong to be preaching” about what labour could do to recover from this historic loss.
She said: “Clearly something did go wrong. The British people didn’t put their faith in us. We need to understand why[…]” When asked about Corbyn’s position going forward, she said: “It is up to him to decide what he wants to do going forward, and to reflect on how he is going to play the next period of time.”
She added that she was not considering the position of labour leader, as this would be “one step too far after just winning the seat after two years.”
05:21 ANALYSIS
ELL’s Harry Thompson on voter turnout
All of the safe Labour seats in the Eastlondonlines boroughs, excluding only Croydon South and Croydon Central, experienced spikes in voter turnout in 2017 compared to 2015 and 2019. This was likely caused by Jeremy Corbyn’s successful mobilisation of the youth vote in the 2017 snap election.
Last night, that enthusiasm was not sustained as all Labour incumbents in Lewisham and Hackney also saw their majorities shrink. The fall in voter turnout was widespread, most notably in Hackney and Croydon; Croydon North was down 5.15 per cent, while Hackney South and Shoreditch fell by 5.5 per cent.
While it is always difficult to nail down exactly why turnout fluctuates, it is likely due to variety of factors. As ever, a rainy day in east London is likely to have put off prospective voters who may have felt that that it was not worth journeying into the wind and rain in order to cast a vote for a safe seat.
However, although this year’s turnout in Lewisham Deptford was down 1.2 per cent from 2017, from 70.2 per cent to 69 per cent, it was still a significant increase on the 65 per cent turnout seen in 2015. This trend is also visible in Lewisham East, where despite falling by 3.3 per cent in 2019 to 66 per cent, voter turnout was still significantly higher than the 58 per cent level in 2015.
This pattern also applies to: Lewisham West and Penge, Poplar and Limehouse, Bethnal Green and Bow, Hackney South and Shoreditch, Hackney North and Stoke Newington and Croydon North.
In other words, all of the constituencies in the Eastlondonlines patch – all safe Labour seats – witnessed a peak in voter turnout in 2017. This demonstrated Jeremy Corbyn’s success at winning over the youth vote, through stuns such as his Glastonbury appearance which may have buoyed popular support for him, while not being reflective of a long term trend.
05:18 ELL REPORTS
ELL’s Gina Gambetta reports from the Tower Hamlets Count: Nick Stovold, the Conservative candidate for Bethnal and Bow told ELL: “We’re pleased that we kept second place. Poplar and Limehouse and Bethnal Green and Bow should be very pleased with that. Obviously, the national result is fantastic…we can move beyond Brexit and achieve things this country needs to achieve. We can finally bring the country together.’
Shahrar Ali, Green Party candidate for Bethnal Green and Bow said that he was “heartened by the increase” in the party’s result, and said that he would “be coming back for more for the council and future elections”
Labour victors Apsana Begum and Rushanara Ali both received cheers from the room upon their victories, however no Labour candidates or party officials would speak to the media at the Tower Hamlets count.
05:16 ON TWITTER
05:07 ELL REPORTS
ELL’s Dominic Webb and Evie Breese report from the Croydon Central count: Mario Creatura, the losing Conservative candidate, told ELL that he feels sad for his hometown, but acknowledged the Conservative success elsewhere. He said: “The Conservatives across the country have had a phenomenal night- we have managed to take seats across the country that we have never held, some in mining villages, and some in the north of the country.”
When asked about the allegations about the Dumbledore publication, he said that although it was nothing to do with him, he felt “devastated” that he had been a part of the team to produce it.
He said: “It was a disgusting thing to have happened. At the time I made a public apology just for not been more involved in the process. I was 20 years old and it was a student publication- we were often up till 4 in the morning in-between doing a degree. It’s not an excuse, and I learnt from the mistake. I have been a passionate supporter of LGBT rights, particularly in Croydon over many years.”
04:41 ELL REPORTS
ELL’S Gina Gambetta reports from the Tower Hamlets Count: Apsana Begum said in her victory speech: “This victory is not won alone but through years of support. I am so proud of Labour and the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.”
She continued: “The people of Poplar and Limehouse have voted for hope; tonight marks the beginning of this project not the end.”
04:40 POPLAR AND LIMEHOUSE RESULT
Labour HOLD for Apsana Begum who polled 38,660 with an increased majority of 28,904.
04:38 ELL REPORTS
ELL’S Gina Gambetta reports from the Tower Hamlets Count: In her victory speech, Rushanara Ali thanked her campaign team and committed to continuing to “fight for social justice, equality and building a better country that celebrates people’s talents no matter their background.”
She said: “We have so much to be proud of in East London – at a time of great division and a rise of populism, let us never forget the contribution of all the different communities fighting against racism, exploitation…Let us not forget that those movements continue to inspire us.” And she encouraged others to continue to fight for a better future.
04:29 CROYDON CENTRAL RESULTS
Labour HOLD for Sarah Jones who polled at 27,124 with a majority of 5949 increasing her majority by 297.
04:27 BETHNAL GREEN AND BOW RESULTS
Labour HOLD for Rushanara Ali who polled at 44,052 with a majority of 37,524 increasing her majority by 1,083
04:17 ON TWITTER
04:09 UPDATE
04:08 ELL REPORTS
ELL’s Clara Hill reports from the Hackney count: In her victory speech, Diane Abbott said: “I want to thank the people of Hackney who have humbled me.”
Meg Hillier said in her victory speech that “there’s an aching poverty in Hackney South and Shoreditch,” and vowed to fight on, alongside Diane Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn.
04:05 ANALYSIS
Voter turnout analysis across the four Eastlondonlines boroughs showing figures have dropped.
04:02 ANALYSIS
ELL’s Caitlin Griffith Otway on what will a Tory majority government mean for Brexit?
Brexit was top of the PM’s agenda throughout this general election campaign. Johnson claims he will pass the Brexit withdrawal agreement to ensure a January 31 exit from the EU. If the exit poll is correct, the Tories Brexit targeting of Labour’s “red wall” seats across the Midlands and the North of England, has paid off. We are seeing a significant swing towards the tories in Labour leave-voting seats.
Despite the PM’s grand promises to “get Brexit done”, there are many obstacles left to overcome if his plan can go ahead, most crucially the huge issue of the Irish border. He also faces a race to agree a new trade deal with the EU by the December 2020 deadline. The PM has repeatedly refused to request an extension.
The Commons vote on 22 October showed that there was a majority for Brexit. However, there was no majority for the unconditional departure from the EU that the PM has pushed for. At this point, we cannot know what the Brexit that the PM is promising will actually involve.
04:00 ELL REPORTS
ELL’s Dominic Webb reports from the Croydon count: Peter Underwood and Esther Sutton, Green Party candidates for Croydon South and Central, both told ELL they thought they’d increased their vote share. However, Underwood said that tactical voting means it won’t be as high as it could be.
Esther Sutton told us that people were “very engaged with the climate emergency”, but refused to speak on the prediction of Peter Sonnex that they would lose out to the Brexit Party.
03:56 LONDON UPDATE
Which London seats have declared so far?
Labour’s Fleur Anderson gains Putney from Conservatives with a majority of 45.1% and a 77% turnout
Labour’s Marsha De Cordoba holds Battersea with a 45.5% majority and a turnout of 75.6%
Labour’s Rupa Huq holds Ealing Central & Acton with 28,132 votes and 72.6% turnout.
Labour’s John Cryer holds Leyton & Wanstead with 28,836 votes and a turnout of 68.7%
Labour’s Stella Creasy holds Walthamstow with 36,784 votes and 68.8% turnout.
Former Tory leader Ian Duncan Smith holds Chingford & Woordfood with 23,481 votes and a turnout of 74.1%
The tories Eleanor Laing have held Epping Forest with 22,173 votes and a turnout of 67.7% turnout.
Labour’s James Murray has held Ealing North with 28,036 votes and a turnout of 66.6% .
Tooting: Labour’s Rosena Allin-Khan holds seat with 30,811 votes and 52 per cent of the vote with a turnout of 76 per cent.
Kingston and Surbiton is held by the Lib Dems, with Ed Davey gaining 31,103 votes at 51.1 per cent with a gain of 6.4 per cent.
In Westminster North Karen Buck won with 23,240 votes, despite a 5.7 per cent loss compared to 2017. Lib Dem George Lee gained 7.8 per cent, rising to 13 per cent of the vote.
03:49 HACKNEY SOUTH AND SHOREDITCH RESULT
Labour hold for Meg Hillier who poled at 39,884 with a majority of 33,985 reducing her majority by 3,946
03:47 NATIONAL RESULT
Leader of Liberal Democrats, Jo Swinson, loses her seat in Dunbartonshire East to SNP.
03:43 HACKNEY NORTH AND STOKE NEWINGTON RESULT
Labour HOLD for Diane Abbott who polled 39,972 majority of 33,188, reducing her majority by 1,951
03:41 LONDON RESULT
Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds Uxbridge and Ruislip for Conservative Party with an increased majority.
03:40 ON TWITTER
Corbyn’s speech on Twitter:
03:25 BREAKING
Jeremy Corbyn announces that he will stand down in the future in his speech after being re-elected in Islington North: “I will not lead the party in any future general election campaign. I will discuss with the party to ensure there is a process going forward… I’m very proud of the way we fought this election campaign, we did not descend into the gutter. I will remain the MP for Islington North. I thank the people if Islington North.”
03:16 LONDON RESULT
Liberal Democrat Sarah Olney GAINS Richmond Park from Conservative Zac Goldsmith with a vote of 34,559.
03:10 ELL REPORTS
ELL’s James Bayley and Charles Woodham report from the Lewisham count:
The mood at the end of the Lewisham count was one of optimism, culminating in Vicky Foxcroft’s rousing speech which received the loudest applause of the night, following victories of fellow Labour candidates Ellie Reeves in Lewisham West and Penge, and Janet Daby in Lewisham West.
In her speech, Foxcroft said that despite the Tory majority, Labour were going to “fight, fight, fight.” She warned the Tories that Labour was not going to lay down in Lewisham.
Janet Daby, who held her seat for Labour said: “So far in Lewisham and in West and Penge they have put their trust in the candidateS, myself and also the party which is good. Its a mixed community, with varying levels of poverty, theres foodbanks, the housing crisis. The council has experienced really severe cuts and we have been able to get that across tonight and people have understood that well”
“I’d have liked to have seen a more positive polling prediction for the labour party. I’m finding that really difficult at the moment.”
03:08 ANALYSIS
Analysis of voter turn out across Tower Hamlets and Lewisham shows that turnout has dropped compared with the election in 2017
02:54 UPDATE
All three of Lewisham’s constituencies have announced the predicted Labour winners. However, in Lewisham Deptford, a traditionally safe Labour seat, Vicky Foxcroft’s total vote count has decreased from 42,461 down to 39,216.
Meanwhile in Lewisham East, Janet Daby acquired 26,661 votes, a sizeable loss from the 32,072 acquired in 2017 by her predecessor Heidi Alexander. Lewisham West and Penge’s Ellie Reeves collected 35,411 in 2017, however her total has been diminished this time around, dropping to 31,860 votes.
02:53 ELL ON TWITTER
ELL’s Barney Stone reports from the Hackney count:
02:49 RESULT
Tories gain Burnley for first time since 1931, Tories also gain Blackpool South for the first time since 1997.
02:43 LONDON RESULT
Former Tory leader, Iain Duncan Smith holds his seat Chingford and Woodford Green with a slim majority of 1,262 over Labour’s Dr. Faiza Shaheen.
02:37 LEWISHAM DEPTFORD RESULT
Labour HOLD for Vicky Foxcroft who polled 39,216 with a majority 32,913
02:35 UPDATE
02:30 ELL ON TWITTER
ELL’s James Bayley reports from the count in Lewisham:
02:29 ON TWITTER
Ellie Reeves tweets following her re-election for Lewisham West and Penge:
02:21 ON TWITTER
Lewisham West and Penge Ellie Reeves holds her seat for Labour, appears on video link after having given birth in November.
02:11 LEWISHAM WEST AND PENGE RESULT
Labour HOLD for Ellie Reeves who polled 31,860 with a majority of 21,543
02:00 LEWISHAM EAST RESULT
Labour HOLD for Janet Daby who polled 26,661 with a majority of 17,008
01:56 FIRST LONDON RESULT
Putney announces first Labour gain for Fleur Anderson. Former seat of Justine Greening.
01:54 LEWISHAM CONSTITUENCY REPORTS
01:52 EXIT POLL PREDICTION LEWISHAM
01:50 ON TWITTER
01:49 ELL REPORTS
ELL’s Gina Gambetta spoke with Shahrar Ali, Green Party Candidate for Bethnal Green and Bow about the early results, and what they might mean for the country. Ali told Eastlondonlines that despite having modest ambitions, things were “not looking particularly great for the Green Party.” He continued, “Judging from the seats that have already come in, it’s a very bad night for Labour and a very good night for Boris Johnson.”
In the greater context for the country, Ali said that it was quite demoralising to see that, despite an all-time high in climate consciousness, that the climate emergency had not filtered through to the ballot box.
01:43 ELL ON TWITTER
ELL’s Charles Woodham reports from the Lewisham Count:
01:36 UPDATE
Croydon Central turnout: 66.55%
Lewisham Turnout:
01:34 ON TWITTER
Lewisham based Count Binface in Uxbridge before the count…
01:27 NATIONAL RESULT
Tories win Workington in another significant gain from Labour heartland.
01:18 ELL REPORTS
ELL’s Barney Stone reports from the Hackney count: Tryone Scott, Hackney South and Shoreditch’s Green party candidate, told ELL he is excited for the night, but admitted he is “bummed” about the national picture.
Alex Armitage, the Green party candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, said he is also feeling “despondent” about the national picture, but hopes for a good result for the Green Party around Dalston.
Ben Obese-Jecty, Hackney North and Stoke Newington Tory candidate, told ELL he was “a bit shocked” by the exit poll, but that he was “nervously excited.” Hackney South and Shoreditch Liberal Democrats candidate, Dave Raval, will not be in attendance tonight due to illness.
01:04 ON TWITTER
01:02 ELL REPORTS
Incumbent Conservative PPC for Croydon, Chris Philp, is looking likely to retain his seat. This comes despite Philp suggesting that cancer patients aren’t worried about increased waiting times, and instead they ‘really care’ more about survival rates.
Philp also drew criticism for stating that worsened waiting times were due to success in encouraging people to come forward for screening. Croydon South has been Conservative since its conception in 1974.
00:58 ELL REPORTS
ELL’s Gina Gambetta reports from the Tower Hamlets count:
Liberal Democrats candidate for Poplar and Limehouse, Andrew Creegan, has arrived at the count. He recently saw a surge in the polls.
In the 2017 general election the Lib Dems achieved 6.7 per cent of the vote with 3,959 votes.
00:55 HACKNEY CONSTITUENCY REPORTS
00:52 EXIT POLL PREDICTION HACKNEY
00:46 ON TWITTER
00:44 UPDATE
PA reports that Gina Miller, anti-Brexit campaigner, said that if the exit poll is correct the UK “will be out” of the EU without a second referendum.
Speaking to ITV, Miller said: “I don’t think there’ll be another vote. It will get passed as an Act of Parliament, it will then be ratified as an international treaty and we will be out.”
00:36 CURRENCY WATCH
00:21: ANALYSIS
We are still waiting to see what how the results pan out locally, they will come much later in the night, but here are some interesting London seats to watch:
Boris Johnson’s seat, Uxbridge & Ruislip South, is likely to be held by the Conservatives, but Johnson does hold the smallest majority for a Prime Minister since 1924. If he does lose, he could theoretically take up a seat in the Lords and continue to lead.
Chingford & Woodfood Green is also worth a watch. Former Tory, Ian Duncan Smith’s majority has been crashing, and he has faced growing criticism over a number of controversial Tory policies. He is facing Labour’s tireless candidate Dr Faiza Shaheen.
In Kensington, former Tory minister Sam Gyimah is standing against Labour’s Emma Dent Coad. Labour won in 2017, but with a tiny majority of just 20 votes.
Former Labour MP, Chuka Umunna, is contesting the pro-EU seat of Cities of London and Westminster for the Lib Dems, where Tory candidate Nickie Aiken hopes to retain the constituency, after former MP Mark Field stepped down.
In Richmond Park, a staunchly pro-EU constituency, the Lib Dems are hoping to unseat Tory Zac Goldsmith, who won the seat with a tiny majority of 45.
Former Labour MP, Luciana Berger, is standing in Finchley & Golders Green for the Lib Dems. She is up against Tory Mike Freer, who has held the seat since 2010, but with a relatively slim majority. Berger resigned from the Labour Party and her Liverpool Wavertree seat and joined the Lib Dems after facing anti-Semitic abuse. @Cait_Niamh
00:15 ELL REPORTS
ELL’s Gina Gambetta reports from the Tower Hamlets count: Nick Stovold, Conservative candidate for Bethnal Green and Bow, told ELL: “Fantastic result with the exit poll, hope to see as good as a result as expected. I think we’re going to get a majority just by how it’s predicted. People are clearly voting to get Brexit done and move beyond the gridlock the country has been stuck in. Locally, probably going to see a Labour hold, but it’ll be interesting to see if the voting share has changed.”
In the 2017 election, the Conservatives achieved 12.7% of the vote with 7,576 votes. @GinaGambetta
00:13 TOWER HAMLETS CONSTITUENCY REPORTS
00:09 EXIT POLL PREDICTION TOWER HAMLETS
BBC constituency predictions based on exit poll:
00:05 ON TWITTER
Will Davies Professor in political economy at Goldsmiths, Lewisham, Tweets:
00:01 ON TWITTER
Thank you to everyone who volunteered, campaigned & worked so hard on my campaign – seeing your unending commitment to the campaign and Party has been both inspiring and humbling. I am lucky and proud to have had so many of you as comrades and friends.
— Apsana Begum (@ApsanaForPL) December 12, 2019
23:59 PICS FROM EARLIER TODAY
While we wait for the results from their constituencies, here’s what some of the candidates were up to earlier.
23:53 PICS FROM THE COUNT
ELL’s Evie Breese from inside the count:
23:46 ELL REPORTS
ELL’s Gina Gambetta reports from the Tower Hamlets count: Shahrar Ali, Green Party Candidate for Bethnal Green and Bow, told Eastlondonlines: “It’s looking a bit demoralising in terms of the overall picture.”
In the 2017 election, the Green Party only achieved 2.5% of the vote with 1,516 votes. @GinaGambetta
23:42 ANALYSIS
Blyth Valley constituency is the first Conservative gain in the election with Ian Levy winning the seat with 42.7 per cent of the vote (majority 712). This seat has been Labour held since the 1950s when the constituency was created, and was won by Labour’s Ronnie Campbell in the 2017 election, with 55.9 per cent of the vote. This former mining town is a huge win for the Conservatives, and bodes well for the Tories for the rest of night.
23:38 ELL REPORTS
ELL’s Dominic Webb reports from the Croydon count: Peter Sonnex, Brexit Party candidate, told ELL he thinks Labour will hold the seat.
He said: “From a Brexit Party perspective we’re still here to hold the Conservative party to account.” When asked if the Brexit Party will still be relevant if they fail to gain any seats, Sonnex said: “This is a Brexit general election. Would we have had this Prime Minister without the Brexit Party? What would have happened without us?” @WebbDom1
23:35 THIRD COUNT IN
First Conservative gain, taking the former mining constituency of Blyth Valley, Northumberland, held by Labour since the 1950s.
23:32 SECOND COUNT IN
HOUGHTON AND SUNDERLAND SOUTH: LABOUR WIN – Bridget Phillipson holds with reduced majority
23:30 FIRST COUNT IN
NEWCASTLE CENTRAL: LABOUR WIN
- Chi Onwurah, Labour – 21,568
- Emily Payne, Conservative – 9,290
23:26 ELL REPORTS
At Eastlondonlines, we recently covered 76-year-old Peter Cole’s protest on thedoorstep of the Conservative Headquarters. It’s his 25th day without any food, and as the votes roll in, on this cold December night, Cole shows no sign of letting up.
23:24 ELL REPORTS
ELL’s Barney Stone reports from the Hackney count: Ballot boxes have started to arrive in drips and drabs as the rain begins to fall. @BarneyJStone
23:11 CROYDON CONSTITUENCY REPORTS
23:07 EXIT POLL PREDICTION CROYDON
BBC constituency predictions based on exit poll:
23:03 ON TWITTER
Steve Reed Labour candidate for Croydon North Tweets:
22:56 ON TWITTER
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg Tweets:
22:54 ANALYSIS
Historically exit polls are fairly close at predicting the results of elections:
2017 – This exit poll was wrong by 4 seats. The combined BBC/ITV/Sky exit poll predicted that the Conservatives would be 12 seats short of a majority. They were eight seats short.
2015 – Exit poll was wrong by 22. It predicted that the Conservatives would be 10 seats short of a majority, but they won a majority of 12.
2010 – Was correct to the seat – it predicted 19 seats short of a Tory majority.
22:52 ON TWITTER
22:48 UPDATE
ELL’s Dominic Webb reports from the Croydon count: Sarah Jones knew she was in for a tough fight, but the exit poll has made it even tougher. If it truly is accurate, then Croydon Central is one of the seats that the Tories will be likely to pick up on what can only be a massive swing. (@WebbDom1)
22:40 PARTY LEADERS TWEET
22:37 ON TWITTER
Lewisham council dashing to count the ballots.
22:33 ON TWITTER
Pounds surges 2% against the euro and dollar after exit poll.
22:26 ANALYSIS
If the poll is correct, this would be the strongest Conservative majority since David Cameron in 2015 who won 330 seats with a majority of 98.
22:22 ON TWITTER
22:20 ANALYSIS
If correct it would be the worst Labour result since 1983 under Michael Foot when the party won 209 seats.
22:00 EXIT POLL
BBC EXIT POLL:
- Conservative: 368
- Labour: 191
- SNP: 55
- Liberal Democrats: 13
Conservative Majority of 86
ELL reporting team:
- Live Report: Caitlin Griffith Otway, Sean Russell, Lois Borny, Celine Wadhera, Harry Thompson
- Social Media: Eleanor Magill, Daisy Lester, Alex Mistlin
- Pictures: Eleanora Girotto, Jordan Lane
- Hackney: Clara Hill, Barney Stone
- Tower Hamlets: Gina Gambetta, Tom McGhie
- Lewisham: James Bayley, Charles Woodham
- Croydon: Evie Breese, Dominic Webb
