EXIT POLL SHOWS DISAPPOINTMENT FOR CAMERON'S CONSERVATIVES
Predicts hung parliament and gains for Liberal Democrats
6th May 2010
The most unpredictable election in decades has taken another twist, as despite high hopes from the Conservatives, it appears Labour will again be the largest party, however far away from the majority it needs. The exit poll predicts Labour will have around 290 seats, the Conservatives lagging behind on about 260 seats and the Liberal Democrats making slight gains putting them at about 72 seats. This comes as a major blow to the Conservatives, who were hoping to become the largest party after 13 years as the opposition. The first results will arrive in about 50 minutes, when it can be determined just how accurate the exit poll is. If the exit polls are correct, this is a major disappointment of the Conservative Party, who after over a decade of being in the opposition had hoped to form a government, but a late Labour polling surge following a series of strong speeches by Gordon Brown may have dashed these dreams. Undoubtably, Tories will be keen to point out exit polls have been wrong before, but to many the exit poll paints a dark picture for the Conservatives. Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central is believed to be in the lead for the first seat to declare (ahead of their rivals in Sunderland South), and the early results will give an indication of the reliability of this poll.
DAVID CAMERON SAYS TO WAIT UNTIL THE RESULTS COME IN
"We should not make any judgements"
6th May 2010
After the results of a disappointing exit poll, Conservative leader David Cameron has warned that 'we should not make any judgements before the first results come in'. Cameron was elected 5 years ago as a modernising leader, ready to bring his party back to power, but exit poll suggests a disappointing night for the Tories. While they are predicted to gain around 50 seats, this will not be enough to form a government potentially relegating them again to the opposition benches. Cameron's position as Conservative leader could potentially be in jeopardy if the exit poll is correct. While the party has made good gains and could potentially have a lead in the popular vote, it will not be enough to secure a plurality of seats that will give them the best opportunity to form a government.
FORMATION OF A GOVERNMENT RESTS WITH NICK CLEGG
Liberal Democrats set to improve on their 2005 performance, becoming the most successful third party since the 1920s
7th May 2010
As the first results arrive, it appears the Liberal Democrats will have a good night, gaining anywhere from 5 to 15 seats, improving on their 2005 electoral performance. Whilst the initial surge of Cleggmania had worn off by the time the polls had opened, the exit poll appears to show that Liberal Democrat support is vital for another government to be formed. The success of the Liberal Democrats in this election appears to show the United Kingdom is moving towards a three party system, with the Liberal Democrats taking over a quarter of the vote and having a vital role in government formation.
FINAL RESULTS: LABOUR ON 299 SEATS, CONSERVATIVES ON 254, LIBERAL DEMOCRATS ON 69
7th May 2010
Britain has woken up without a new government as the general election has resulted in a hung parliament. With all 650 seats now declared, Labour have taken the lead with 299 seats (a loss of 50), the Conservatives left disappointed with only 254 seats (up 44) and the Liberal Democrats having a good, if underwhelming, result with 69 seats (a gain of 7). Notably, the Conservative Party actually managed to win the largest amount of votes, leading Labour by about 400,000.
NICK CLEGG IN NEGOTIATIONS TO FORM COALITION WITH LABOUR
7th May 2010
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg is in talks with Labour leader (and current Prime Minister) Gordon Brown to form a coalition government, the first such arrangement since the Second World War. It is believed they have discussed a number of key policies areas, most importantly the possibility of electoral reform, long a goal of the Liberal Democrats who are often marginalised by first past the post. Another important topic in the discussions is believed to be cabinet formation, with the possibilities of Liberal Democrats taking a number of cabinet roles.
SHOULD DAVID CAMERON STAY AS CONSERVATIVE LEADER?
8th May 2010
Thursday's election results were disappointing for a party who had hoped to return to government after 13 years in the opposition benches. Now doubt surrounds the future of David Cameron as leader of the Conservative Party. While under his leadership the party gained 44 seats and a plurality of votes, they were nowhere near close to government formation. With reports that a coalition between Labour and the Liberal Democrats will soon be formally agreed upon, Gordon Brown gaining another term as Prime Minister, the Tories are looking to see how they could finally return to 10 Downing Street. To his critics, Cameron was almost indistinguishable from his opponents and that the Conservatives must tap in to the Eurosceptic vote in order to return to government. A few days after the election, and with no word from Cameron on any resignation, there are already rumours of a possible leadership challenge from the party's Eurosceptic wing, John Redwood being a candidate mentioned.
BREAKING NEWS: LABOUR / LIBERAL DEMOCRAT COALITION AGREED, GORDON BROWN ELECTED TO ANOTHER TERM AS PRIME MINISTER
Gordon Brown will stay as Prime Minister, Nick Clegg to become Deputy Prime Minister
9th May 2010
After three days of negotiations, it is official - a coalition government between Labour and the Liberal Democrats has been formed. This means Gordon Brown will stay as Prime Minister, backed up by Nick Clegg who will become Deputy Prime Minister. This is the first formal coalition government since the Second World War, and is undoubtably the beginning of a new era of British politics, no longer defined by strong single-party governments but by multi-party coalitions. No details of Brown's cabinet have yet been revealed, but there is a possibility the Liberal Democrats may be given some major cabinet positions. David Cameron is due to give a speech conceding the election soon, and there are rumours he may announce his resignation as well.
