Election results – live: Boris Johnson says NHS will be priority as he reaches out to Remainers following historic win

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General election 2019: Boris Johnson arrives at Downing Street

Boris Johnson has said he will make the NHS an "overwhelming priority" during his renewed tenure in No. 10 following a political “earthquake” which which saw Labour support give way top a comfortable Tory majority.

However he has not extended the same olive branch to voters north of the border - telling Nicola Sturgeon he would not lend any support to a second independence referendum.

Meanwhile Jeremy Corbyn has refused to take responsibility for the worst Labour showing since 1935 - blaming Brexit for the party’s devastating defeat.

Key Points

• Johnson vows to get Brexit done 'no ifs, no buts'
• Labour figures call on Corbyn to quit immediately
• ...but Corbyn says he won't leave until 'early part of next year'
• Swinson loses seat, leading Sturgeon to celebrate wildly
• 'End of Corbynism,' claims David Cameron
• PM promises 'permanent break from talking about Brexit' in Downing Street speech
• ...while adding the 'overwhelming priority of the British people' is a 'focus... on the NHS'.

[12 December 2019 07:23 · Ashley Cowburn]

Polling booths have opened across Britain as voters head to ballot boxes to cast their votes in what has been billed as the most important general election in a generation.

Boris Johnson, who gambled his premiership by triggering the vote, has sought to focus on his pledge to "get Brexit done" throughout the campaign.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, his rival in the race to Number 10, has instead tried to highlight his party's credentials on the health service and other domestic issues.

The polls have narrowed in the final week of what has largely been a tame campaign - with few gaffes and many stage-managed visits.

[12 December 2019 07:34 · Ashley Cowburn]

Corbyn says voters face 'truly historic' choice 

In his final rally of the election campaign, Jeremy Corbyn called on voters to "shock the establishment", as he stressed a "truly historic" choice for undecided voters.

Mr Corbyn said the nation stands at a "fork in the road" between a "hopeful society" and Boris Johnson's Tories who he accuses of planning to "open our NHS to takeover by American mega corporations" and enact further cuts.

The comments came at a rally in London at the end of Mr Corbyn's whirlwind tour of marginal seats from Glasgow to Bedford. "We stand at a fork in the road. The choice facing you, the people of this country, tomorrow is truly historic," he told party members.

"Boris Johnson won't just keep everything the same, he will make it worse. He will open our NHS to takeover by American mega corporations and carry on with more cuts.

"That's why Donald Trump wants Boris Johnson's Conservatives to win."

Mr Corbyn added that he has been made "more determined" by years of "media attacks" which he describes as "relentless".

"They are determined to stop real change. They won't win, we will to create an inclusive and hopeful society."

[12 December 2019 07:42 · Ashley Cowburn]

Brexit will be 'decided' if voters back Conservatives, says Boris Johnson

In his own final message to voters, Boris Johnson told a rally that the country can enjoy Christmas dinner knowing Brexit is "decided" if voters elect a majority Conservative government.

But he warned that the general election remains on a "knife edge", adding: "Today is our chance to unite as a country and put the uncertainty to bed so people can get on with their lives.

"Just imagine how wonderful it will be to settle down to a turkey dinner this Christmas with Brexit decided - and how awful it would be if Corbyn and Sturgeon were in Downing Street advancing their plans for two more referendums.

"Let's stop the chaos and stop the referendums. We can secure a majority Conservative government if we win just nine more seats."

The former London mayor said he had a "simple message" for voters - including those who had never ticked the box next to a Tory candidate's name on the ballot paper before.

"Give me a majority and I will finish what we started - what you instructed us to do - three and a half years ago," he said.

[12 December 2019 07:49 · Ashley Cowburn]

Eve of election poll makes election outcome uncertain 

An eve-of-election poll by BMG Research for The Independent has put Conservatives on 41 per cent, Labour on 32 and Liberal Democrats on 14, pointing towards a small overall majority for Boris Johnson’s party but leaving open the possibility of a hung parliament.

The survey of more than 1,600 voters, conducted between 6 and 11 December, found headline voting figures unchanged from a similar poll last week.

If repeated on 12 December, they point to a Johnson majority of around 25-30 in the House of Commons, freeing the prime minister to press ahead with taking the UK out of the EU on 31 January.

[12 December 2019 07:52 · Ashley Cowburn]

[12 December 2019 08:10 · Ashley Cowburn]

[12 December 2019 08:16 · Ashley Cowburn]

This is from the Times' deputy political editor, Steven Swinford.

[12 December 2019 08:30 · Ashley Cowburn]

Cold and wet weather for polling day 

The UK is predicted to have a cold and wet election day across the country with two weather warnings in place for ice in Scotland.

Voters will need to wrap up warm as they head to the polls on Thursday with rain throughout the day and temperatures in single figures for much of the country.

Weather forecasters have said surfaces and roads could be slippery, with voters advised to take care when walking or driving.

[12 December 2019 08:40 · Ashley Cowburn]

Dogs at polling stations dominate social media

As with every British general election, voters are posting images of their dogs at polling stations. Here are some of the best (cutest) dogs, so far. 

[12 December 2019 08:54 · Ashley Cowburn]

Boris Johnson casts vote in general election - alongside his dog