General Election 2019: Conservative party seals majority as Boris Johnson hails 'powerful new mandate to get Brexit done'
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Tory landslide prompted Jeremy Corbyn to announce he will not lead Labour into another election after his party suffered humiliation.
Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson also lost her seat to the SNP, who made further inroads in Scotland.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBut the big winner was Mr Johnson as the Tories won seat after seat in Labour's heartlands.
The Tories held seats in Portsmouth North, Gosport, Fareham, Havant and Meon Valley, while Labour’s Stephen Morgan was re-elected in Portsmouth South.
Mr Johnson secured his majority after the Conservatives passed the 326 seat mark this morning.
Mr Corbyn admitted it had been a ‘very disappointing’ night.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe anti-war campaigner, who has represented Islington North since 1983, ran as an outside candidate for the party leadership in 2015 and managed to outlast two Tory prime ministers.
But facing his second General Election defeat, Mr Corbyn said that he would call it a day as leader as he was re-elected in his London seat.
He said he would discuss with the party how to ensure there was a ‘process of reflection’.
‘I will lead the party during this period to ensure this discussion takes place.’
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe mood at Mr Johnson's count was much more upbeat as he declared: ‘It does look as though this One Nation Conservative government has been given a powerful new mandate to get Brexit done.’
He added: ‘Above all I want to thank the people of this country for turning out to vote in a December election that we didn't want to call but which I think has turned out to be a historic election that gives us now, in this new government, the chance to respect the democratic will of the British people to change this country for the better and to unleash the potential of the entire people of this country.
‘And that is what we will now do, and if we are lucky enough to be returned, as the exit polls seem to suggest, then that work will begin tomorrow... or as I should say, not tomorrow, today!’
Mr Corbyn's party, which had 243 MPs when Parliament was dissolved last month, was heading for its worst result since 1935 after support crumbled in its so-called 'red wall' of formerly safe seats across the north, the Midlands and Wales.
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.