Boris Johnson will remain Prime Minister as the Conservatives win their largest majority since 1987. The general election has been a landslide victory for the Tories, with a predicted majority of 78, and Labour losing 59 seats so far across a number of former strongholds.
‘With this election we put an end to all those miserable threats of a second referendum,’ Johnson said during his winning speech. ‘I have a message to all those who voted for us yesterday especially those who voted for us for the first time: you may only have lent us your vote, you may not think of yourself as natural Tory.
‘I think I said 11 years ago to the people of London in what was thought of as a Labour city, your hand may have quivered over the ballot paper before you put your cross in the ballot box, and you may intend to return to Labour next time round. If that is the case, I am humbled you have put your trust in me and you have put your trust in us and I and we will never take your support for granted.’
So far 647 seats of 650 have been declared, with the Conservatives holding 362 seats compared to Labour's 203, the SNP's 48 and the Lib Dems' 11. The DUP now has eight seats and other parties amount to 15, with the Green party only securing one
What does this mean for the country?
According to the Conservative manifesto, it means Brexit will be first on the agenda with Johnson planning to implement his deal before Christmas and leave the EU by the end of January. The UK will maintain relations with the EU until at least the end of next year, possibly much longer, as it negotiates trade and other ties.
It also means a weaker commitment to the climate crisis compared to the other parties, with the Tories planning to teach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and take on Nigel Farage’s plan to restrict the export of waste to advanced countries.
Net migration will be reduced to less than 100,000 with Johnson planning to introduce a merit-based points style system similar to Australia’s – with a separate NHS visa for health workers.
Universal credit will remain, despite warnings from experts about how dangerous it is for vulnerable women, but there will be an end to the benefits freeze.
Johnson also pledged to invest in the NHS and bring in 50,000 new nurses by 2023, 6,000 more doctors at GP surgeries and 6,000 more primary care staff (e.g. pharmacists). He has denied reports by Labour that say he is in negotiations with the US about selling off our health service.
He has also said he will ensure there are 20,000 more police officers on our streets over three years. They will have increased powers in the use of tasers and there will be tougher sentences for worst offenders