DoBelieveTheHype

Starmer being flanked by supporters waving union jacks as he steps out into Downing Street. Except some jingoistic policies to appeal to the Reform voters.

This has the feelings off a de facto final, you'd imagine either of these teams will see off the competition in the semis and final should they make it - given the 'easy' bottom half of the draw.

Going to be hard to take any polling seriously when they were all over-estimating Labour's vote share by around 10% this time. No doubt we'll eventually forget about that but something to keep in mind.

For the attention of those waiting on a final result to go to bed - the South Basildon and East Thurrock seat isn't starting it's recounting until 2pm so might not be in until late afternoon.

That's how politics works in this country I'm afraid. The level of vote splitting among the opposition is the most important factor. This government is really going to have to do some transformational things in the next 5 years otherwise we seriously risk a Conservative-Reform coalition in 2029. Or god forbid, a Reform government. Labour have been on the wrong side of it enough times.

I see the Tories have all been given the "it'll take some time" line to wheel out. Some PR bod earning their crust today. As much as I despise Reform - these results are yet another argument from our elections that Proportional Representation ought to be introduced.

Hope is only going to carry this party so far now they're in government. They going to have to show how they are going to change things and do it pretty quickly or they risk getting wiped out by Reform/Brexit Party/UKIP/WhateverFarageCallsHimself by then in the 2029 election.

What time will Kier go to the palace? Presumably he can't do it at 5am in the morning lol

Just 14 more seats needed for Labour to officially win the election.

As more and more dreadful right-wingers keep seats by small margins. I can't help but imagine what a genuine progressive alliance could have done to really end the Tories. It's something that needs to be seriously considered for 2029.

BBC downplaying Labour's success claiming it's all down to the Tory vote falling - usual rubbish from them.

Ah that's a shame. Although makes sense.

Exactly what happened with Labour in 2019. The civil war in what's left of the Tory party is going to be epic. I can't really see a figure like Starmer who would command enough respect to be a 'unity' candidate either. Could be looking at 10 years of Labour government.

Greens have won Suffolk Coastal from the Tories.

The Tories typically win in the large rural constituencies which take longer to count and end up being later results. That'll be why the revised figures. They've revised Reform down to 4 as well. Thankfully a relatively bad night for them.

Her and Badenoch keeping their seats is a damning indictment of our electorate. Then again people seem to have voted Reform in huge numbers which is equally as bad.

Yup - expected at 4am

Waking back up just in time to see Farage win his seat. Hopefully his outfit only get a handful and end up a parliamentary irrelevance. Also see it looks like the exit poll overestimated Labour and underestimated the Tories going by the new estimate which isn't good. Shocked Lee Anderson has kept his with such a large majority as well.

And no sooner have I posted that has Swindon South come through with the Tories 2nd and Reform 3rd - still a Labour gain though.

So that's 3 third places out of 3 so far for the Tories. Shame that it's also 3 2nd places out of 3 for Reform.

This reform guy is so f***ing petulant.

BBC Graphics aren't up to their usual standard. No ticker across the bottom of the screen telling you declared results by party. This isn't up to the standard I pay my license fee for.

First Reform guest on the BBC Coverage.... time for a brew.

Another one with Reform second, looks like Reform is absolutely decimating the Tory vote in these north east seats.

Rees-Mogg is insufferable.