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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

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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.

Activists march outside Downing Street

Protesters have taken to Whitehall to oppose Boris Johnson's renewed mandate.

Caught on video by ITV's Robert Peston, activists can be heard chanting "not my prime minister"

Vincent Wood13 December 2019 18:52

Johnson expresses opposition to second independence referendum

Boris Johnson has told Nicola Sturgeon he would not agree to a second referendum on independence for the country – adding that the previous vote in 2014 must be respected.

"The Prime Minister made clear how he remained opposed to a second independence referendum, standing with the majority of people in Scotland who do not want to return to division and uncertainty," his office said in a statement.

"He added how the result of the 2014 referendum was decisive and should be respected."

Vincent Wood13 December 2019 18:59

Boris tweets plea for trust as unity rhetoric continues

The PM has continued with his appeal for trust in his first tweet since resuming office.

Mr Johnson, who was repeatedly called out over falsehoods and the avoidance of scrutiny during the campaign, also evoked trust during his victory speech and his address from No. 10.

Vincent Wood13 December 2019 19:22

Johnson moves conversation on to future of Brexit plans in congratulatory calls

Now with the election done and dusted the PM has moved on to his congratulatory phone calls - speaking with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and German chancellor Angela Merkel.

With the Taoiseach, the Prime Minister spoke about restoring Northern Ireland’s Stormont assembly and the next steps on Britain's exit from the European Union.

"In relation to Northern Ireland, the Prime Minister made clear that his top priority is the restoration of a functioning Executive as soon as possible," said a Downing Street spokesman.

"He said that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Julian Smith, will dedicate himself to a talks process to ensure the devolved institutions are restored.

"The Prime Minister updated the Taoiseach on the timings for the reintroduction of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill next week and its passage through Parliament to ensure the UK leaves the EU on January 31.

"The leaders also spoke about the importance of building on the strong relationship between their two countries and looked forward to meeting again in person soon."

Mrs Merkel "spoke about the importance of maintaining the strong relationship between Germany and the UK" during her phone call with the Conservative leader, Number 10 confirmed.

Vincent Wood13 December 2019 19:29

More than half of new MPs went to state schools 

More than half of the new House of Commons attended comprehensive schools, according to research by an educational charity - an increase that stills falls well short of the nationwide average.

Figures analysed by the Sutton Trust showed that 54% of MPs selected in

Thursday's General Election were educated in a state comprehensive, up from 52% following 2017's poll.

The charity said the findings suggest the educational background of Commons members is slowly widening.

Of 155 newly elected MPs, 62% attended a comprehensive while 22% went to an independent school and 14% a grammar school, the research found.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and fellow Etonian Jacob Rees-Mogg are among 173 MPs who went to an independent school, accounting for 29% of the Commons.

This is in contrast with just 7% of the population who were privately educated.

Vincent Wood13 December 2019 19:41

Protesters moved away from Downing Street

It's a day of (sort-of) firsts in Westminster. The first Tory landslide for a generation, Boris Johnson's first speeches of his new term - and now the first protest against the new government has been moved on away from Downing Street.

Footage from the scene showed anti-fascist protesters clashing with police, some of whop had batons drawn as the crown chanted "scum".

One person has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

Vincent Wood13 December 2019 20:35

Johnny Mercer announces wife is with child

In amongst all the drama of the general election life goes on - particularly for freshly reelected MP Johnny Mercer.

The minister of state for veterans announced he and his wife are expecting on Twitter in a fairly on-message announcement.

Vincent Wood13 December 2019 21:13

Kinnock: Get leadership question out of the way by Easter

Stephen Kinnock MP has said a leadership election must be "done and dusted by easter" after Jeremy Corbyn said he would not step down until a successor was named.

The son of Neil Kinnock smirked as he said he had "no plans" to stand himself - adding there was a "very strong case for the next leader of the Labour Party to be a woman".

Speaking on BBC's Question Time, he suggested Lisa Nandy, Jess Philips, Emily Thornberry or Kier Starmer as suitable for the role.

Vincent Wood13 December 2019 21:20

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