UK election results: David Cameron to stay as Prime Minister after Conservatives win overall majority

Mr Cameron will form the first Tory-only government since 1997

British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha arrive to N10 Downing street in London (EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA)

The Conservatives have secured an overall majority in Parliament, to conclude one of the most hotly contested and unpredictable general elections in years.

In the face of final opinion polls which wrongly suggested that Labour and the Conservatives would be neck and neck, the Tories stormed ahead to secure 331 of seats in the House of Commons, while Labour was left reeling after it won only 232.

But the Tories' coalition partners, the Liberal Democrats, did the worst of the main political parties, and were left with 8 seats.

Meanwhile, the SNP secured 56 seats, Ukip 1, Greens 1, Plaid 3, and other parties scored 18.

The Conservatives reached the magic number of 323 – the number of seats David Cameron needed to win an overall majority - just before 11am, when Wiltshire North and Waveney declared.

Although there are 650 seats in the House of Commons – the Speaker does not vote and Sinn Fein do not take up their seats.

Mr Cameron has already visited Buckingham Palace to officially ask the Queen for permission to form the next Government.

Now, he must go back to Downing Street and begin to form the first Conservative-only Government since John Major was ousted by Tony Blair in 1997.

However, even with an overall majority, governing will not be easy for Mr Cameron. He will need all his MPs to attend the House of Commons for every vote to ensure he cannot be defeated by the combined forces of opposition.

He will also be vulnerable to rebellions from his own back benches on issues such as Europe.