Hung parliament: Labour expects to oust Theresa May from Downing Street and form a minority government

'We're ready to form a government….we are willing to serve the country'

Labour expects to oust Theresa May from No 10 and to form a minority government, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has said.

“We're ready to form a government….we are willing to serve the country,” he told the BBC.

“I don't think the Conservative Government is stable, I don't think the Prime Minister is stable. I don't want to be derogatory, but I think she is a lame duck now.”

Mr McDonnell insisted there would be “no deals” – instead Labour would put forward a Queen’s Speech and urge the SNP and minor parties to back it.

Labour would not attempt to delay the Brexit talks, he said, which the EU hopes to start within two weeks.

However, the Conservatives, as the existing government, will have the first opportunity to win the confidence of the House of Commons.

And the numbers are in the Tories’ favour. With around 318 seats, Ms May – unless she resigns – could expect to have a Commons majority with the support of 10 Democratic Unionist MPs.

Speaking outside Labour headquarters, Jeremy Corbyn said Labour had won a “huge mandate” to challenge austerity. Asked if the uncertainty created by a hung parliament was good for Britain, he replied: “A hung parliament is what we've been given, it's up to MPs to deal with that.

"We have a huge mandate from a huge increase in our support to carry forward a programme that challenges austerity, that challenges poverty and challenges inequality and gives opportunities for young people, for people in the middle, and gives protection for older people.

"That surely is a very important message that the people in this country, in every part of this country, have given us all today.”