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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.

Votes counted in Cambridge

Andrew Griffin12 December 2019 23:00

Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson set to lose her seat

Jo Swinson is on course to lose her seat to the SNP, the general election exit poll suggests.

The survey gives the Liberal Democrat leader just a 5 per cent chance of retaining the Dunbartonshire East seat.

Even if she holds on, she is likely to face calls to resign, with the exit poll predicting a disappointing night for the Liberal Democrats. The party is on course to win just 15 seats.

Andrew Griffin12 December 2019 23:10

The Sun gives its verdict on exit poll

Andrew Griffin12 December 2019 23:11

Backlash against Corbyn continues

Many Labour candidates are turning their ire on Jeremy Corbyn, in the wake of the exit poll.

This is from Siobhan McDonagh, who is standing for election in Mitcham and Morden.

Andrew Griffin12 December 2019 23:14

Odds rise on another Scottish referendum soon – but still unlikely

This from The Independent's Jim Moore, who is tracking the betting markets tonight:

Paddy Power now going 5-1 on a Scottish independent ref happens before the next General Election. There is a theory that losing Scotland might play into Tory hands, with Boris Johnson turning it into essentially an English nationalist party. But the odds are still against that.

Andrew Griffin12 December 2019 23:16
Andrew Griffin12 December 2019 23:20
Andrew Griffin12 December 2019 23:22

First results expected to be delivered in coming minutes

In Sunderland and in Newcastle, which rushes to be the first constituency to declare, results are expected in a few minutes. That later than usual, though we don't yet know why: it could be that turnout is much higher than usual, or simply that counting is going more slowly.

Andrew Griffin12 December 2019 23:25

Former Conservative party chairwoman says Tories must 'start healing its relationship with British Muslims'

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, who has argued that the Conservatives have a problem with Islamophobia, has tweeted her concern after the results.

Andrew Griffin12 December 2019 23:26

Newcastle won by Labour in first result of the night

Labour has won the first seat of the night to declare. The party holds Newcastle upon Tyne Central.

Chi Onwurah has kept her seat with a majority of 12,278.

Andrew Griffin12 December 2019 23:27

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