Election results – live: Boris Johnson says NHS will be priority as he reaches out to Remainers following historic win
Follow all the latest updates
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.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.
Pound surges on exit poll
The pound has gained 1.5 per cent in the wake of the exit poll. Here's that chart from Bloomberg.
Exit poll has been wrong before
The projected results from the exit poll are dramatic. But it has been wrong in the past, as the below makes clear.
We should start to get a sense of how accurate it is looking over the next few hours, as the first results come in, and we are able to compare the projection with the final results.
Labour says it is 'too early to call the result'
Jeremy Corbyn's party says it is "only the beginning of the night, and it's too early to call the result".
"We, of course, knew this was going to be a challenging election, with Brexit at the forefront of many people's minds and our country increasingly polarised.
"But Labour has hanged the debate in British politics. We have put public ownership, a green industrial revolution, an end to austerity centre stage and introduced new ideas, such as plans for free broadband and free personal care. The Tories only offered more of the same."
Tory chairman also cautions people to wait on exit poll
Appearing on Sky, James Cleverly has also cautioned that people should be "cautious" of the results from the exit poll.
"I've always thought that polls should betaken with a degree of caution. ... I've been cautious of poll results when they look good, I've been cautious of poll results when they look not so good.
"Maths is maths, and if, big if, the numbers play out as per the exit poll, that is numerically a big majority. As I say, we'll want to see which particularly consistencies have voted in what way.
"In longstanding Labour held consistencies there were ... a lot of people said they were lied to when the labour candidates looked them in the eye and said 'I will deliver Brexit'. There was a feeling that the Labour party had stopped talking about and talking to those communities and were focusing very very much on its big urban consistencies."
McDonnell says result would be 'disappointing'
Appearing on the BBC, shadow chancellor John McDonnell accepts result would be a "catastrophe"' if the exit polls are right.
"If it is anywhere near this it is extremely disappointing," he says.
Pressed by Andrew Neil on whether the results will mean that it is "game over" for McDonnell and Corbyn, he says that they will wait until the morning to see the results.
But he does caution that is only if the exit poll is correct.
Momentum tells supporters to be 'proud'
Campaigning group Momentum has written to activists, noting the results of the exit poll.
"The exit poll is out and it's not what we hoped for," the email reads.
"These next few hours waiting for the results to trickle in are going to be nail biting, but you should be proud of everything we've achieved."
Priti Patel says Tories will 'get Brexit done' before Christmas
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the Government will move quickly to "get Brexit done" if it wins a majority.
She said: "Importantly, as we have outlined throughout this entire campaign, the focus has been on Brexit.
"You know, we've had gridlock in Parliament, we want to get Brexit done, we have heard the prime minister say this.
"Get it done before Christmas, introduce the legislation and get that moving in parliament."
Ms Patel said the NHS, education, law and order, and a points-based immigration system were other priorities.
She added: "Absolutely moving the country out of that paralysis so we can invest in public services and get the country moving."
Labour international trade secretary says results would be 'devastating'
Reacting to the exit poll, shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner told Sky News: "If that is the case then obviously it's a devastating result for us - and not just for us ... It's about all the people who were really needing a Labour victory to improve their lives.
"It certainly doesn't look good. In one sense we always knew this election was going to be focused on Brexit and that was the strategy that the Conservatives played."
He added: "It's a deeply depressing prediction.
"My heart goes out to all the people who had given their hope to the Labour Party. That's what pains me the most about a prediction like this."
Asked if Labour needed a new leader, Mr Gardiner said: "These are things that will be discussed by the leadership of the party in the next few days."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments