the counting is about to start. so, let election night begin!

believing to you. welcome to our election night studio, your unrivalled location for coverage of the next ten hours as we discover who you have chosen to want through a famous door street. last time around, borisjohnson was prime minister, jeremy corbyn led the labour party, we were still in the labour party, we were still in the european union, and no one had heard of coronavirus. today, of course, the political landscape is very different, and the leaders of all the main parties have changed. sir keir starmer cast his vote this morning. only four labour leaders have ever been elected prime minister. has he done enough to seal the deal with the british people, and can he lead labour to its first victory in more nearly 20 years? rishi sunak is the fifth conservative prime minister in quick succession. he surprised the country with a snap election and has been fighting hard to hold onto power after the tories�* 1a years in charge. but can he crossjeremy vine�*s winning line outside number ten? ten ? every

ten? every paving stone, a parliamentary seat. remember2019, every paving stone, a parliamentary seat. remember 2019, when boris johnson won all the seats and paved a path to the door of number ten? this time, can labour turn the blue seats read and send keir starmer through that historic black door, or will the conservatives hold them off? this is the engine room of our election coverage, where we are keeping an eye on all the election centres right across the uk with an army of reporters. fiona bruce and victoria derbyshire are with the labour and tory leaders. and the race to deliver the first result is always fiercely contested. so we have our earliest risers on the hunt for the early declarer is. hello. i am for the early declarer is. hello. iam in for the early declarer is. hello. i am in blyth, where a recount in 2019 stop them winning, but this time, the team is even more determined than ever. do we think we can beat sunderland this time? yes! well, let's yes! — well, let'sjust see, shall yes! well, let's 'ust see, shall we? well, let'sjust see, shall we? sunderland has won this race many, many times, and they are not giving

up many times, and they are not giving up without a fight. here in broadcasting house in london, ourteams here in broadcasting house in london, our teams are poised ready to gather and then verify every single result as they begin to come in. and of course, at the heart of it is professor sirjohn curtice, who has been hard at work all day with the exit poll team, and in just a few moments, we can legally reveal the results of all of those calculations. that exit poll will indicate who will be heading here to the commons, and reeta will be checking all the numbers. we are feeding on that date into the giant screen now, and in a few moments, i'll be able to tell you which seats are most likely to change hands. if neither keir starmer nor rishi sunak when the magic 326 seats, could one of the smaller parties back them up? ed davey�*s liberal democrats would love to become the third biggest party once again. nigel farage is back in front line politics with reform uk. and kirsty is watching the battle in

scotland. i am here in glasgow, where we expect a night of high drama, with politicians using the results in scotland to argue for or against independence. i'll bejoined by the country's senior politicians, advisers and commentators to react to the big story right through the night. ready for an avalanche of information and reaction, our political editor chris mason is with us here in the studio. so, we are seconds away from ten o'clock and the exit poll, a first indication of how the night might unfold. more than 20,000 people took part on behalf of the bbc, itv news and sky, in this first july election since 19115. 326 seats are needed to win, so here we go.

the exit poll is putting a labour landslide. sir keir starmer will become prime minister with a majority of about 170 seats. the exit poll predicts that labour will have captured a10 seats, adding 209. it suggests the conservatives will have lost 2a1 mps, landing on 131. the liberal democrats, a 53 on 61 seats. reform on 13 seats. the snp, down 38 seats, according to the exit poll. plaid cymru are on four, of two, and the greens up one, two two. all the pointers tonight are that keir starmer is taking labour back to power. only the fifth labour leader to win a general election. these are the first indications of what may unfold. but a moment of history beckons.—

what may unfold. but a moment of history beckons. blimey! take a look and take in the _ history beckons. blimey! take a look and take in the numbers. _ history beckons. blimey! take a look and take in the numbers. the - and take in the numbers. the conservative party, so often an election winning machine, looks pulverised tonight. at the last general election it was labour that was pulverised, reduced to its smallest number of seats since 1935. at the time there was talk that borisjohnson might at the time there was talk that boris johnson might serve at the time there was talk that borisjohnson might serve as prime minister into the 2030s and for labour to win byjust a smidgen would require a himalayan climb on their part. and yet you look at those numbers, and they have won by a mile. what does this tell you? it tells us a lot about voter volatility. like never before, more people, in more places, more often, are more willing to change their minds about who they support from one election to another. that is why it looks like we went from a landslide last time for the

conservatives, to a landslide for labour this time. it is going to be quite a night. labour this time. it is going to be quite a night-— quite a night. chris, we should remind viewers _ quite a night. chris, we should remind viewers there - quite a night. chris, we should remind viewers there is - quite a night. chris, we should remind viewers there is a - quite a night. chris, we should remind viewers there is a high | remind viewers there is a high degree of scepticism we should apply to the exit poll. they have a very good track record, but it's only over the next few hours that the results will come in and will tell us the real verdict of the british people. but it does seem, as it has done throughout the campaign, that sir keir starmer has done something extraordinary, pulling back labour from where it was in 2019? astonishing, given where they were, given the extent to which they have been so comprehensively beaten last time. there was lots of folk, in lots of political parties anticipating that would mean they would be out of power for at least a decade. and yet you look at these numbers, of course, we should insert the caveat, but given the margin of the caveat, but given the margin of the labour lead in the exit poll, there is plenty of scope for that to be out by a reasonable margin and

labour still to be heading for a very sizeable, historically big majority. we should insert a view more caveats around some of the smaller parties, not least the scottish national party, by dint of the snp merely standing in scotland, there are fewer data entry points into the exit poll. so there is a bit more caution around that. similarly around reform as well. some things to mark our card in terms of caveats, but in terms of the big story it looks very clear, and we over used words like historic occasionally in journalism, and we over used words like historic occasionally injournalism, i plead guilty to that, but if these numbers are where we find ourselves in buy brexit time, it warren sapp. historic, seismic, what a shifting political tectonic plates. no question the polls have been all over the place in terms of measuring the size of a potential labour majority. but if this exit poll,

early indications, if it is right then we are talking about a potentially labour being in power into the 2030s? fir potentially labour being in power into the 2030s?— potentially labour being in power into the 2030s? ., �* , ., into the 2030s? or not? because who knows if the — into the 2030s? or not? because who knows if the equal _ into the 2030s? or not? because who knows if the equal and _ into the 2030s? or not? because who knows if the equal and opposite - knows if the equal and opposite might happen at a next election. the recent electoral history tells you things can swing in all sorts of directions remarkably quickly. to answer your question the other way, if you are a conservative tonight absorbing the numbers, clearly they are bleak and point to a long way back, if that is how the numbers stack up as the hours come. the number of conservative seats, worst in a century. labour broadly similar in a century. labour broadly similar in terms of where they are, majority wise, and seats wise, from 1997. just to give you some sort of historical metric.— just to give you some sort of historical metric. thank you. we will be getting — historical metric. thank you. we will be getting much _ historical metric. thank you. we will be getting much more - historical metric. thank you. we will be getting much more from| historical metric. thank you. we . will be getting much more from you throughout the night. and we will be joined by a parade of political guests, some of them will be in jubilation, some of them will be

very much at the other end of the scale. joined initially by lord mandelson. you are smiling already! and steve baker, the conservative who does not know yet if he has held onto his seat in whickham. we will come to them in a couple of minutes. i want to remind you of the numbers as they have been revealed by the exit poll, showing labour on a10 seats, having gained 209. the conservatives crushing down to 131, losing 2a1. 61, the liberal democrats. incredible performance for them if they are correct, on 53 seats. the snp, crashing down to ten. plaid cymru gaining two, greens one, reform gaining 13. you canjust about see them coming onto the glorious prow of broadcasting house. as chris was saying, particularly when it comes to the smaller parties, we will insert lots of grains of salt at this stage. small

margins of error is in the exit poll could end up with very different tallies for them by the end of the night. bearthat tallies for them by the end of the night. bear that in mind. tallies for them by the end of the night. bearthat in mind. health warnings will be the order of the night until you get the real results coming in, hopefully the first result in the next hour or hour and a half. who knows. fingers crossed we will be able to get back to you. if you are going to have a majority for labour of 170, that means a number of labour games, clearly, around the country. we will look at some of those that our psephologist is suggest could be changing hands to labour with a 95% level of certainty. swindon south, darlington, rutherglen from the snp. wrexham, conservative, now potentially gone, according to the exit poll. leigh and atherton, middlesbrough and swindon north. it

will be very, very interesting indeed. one of the people who looks like it is heading to government is angela rayner. do you believe these numbers?— rayner. do you believe these numbers? ~ , , ., numbers? well, the numbers are encouraging- _ numbers? well, the numbers are encouraging. of— numbers? well, the numbers are encouraging. of course, - numbers? well, the numbers are encouraging. of course, the - numbers? well, the numbers are encouraging. of course, the exit| encouraging. of course, the exit poll is a poll, so we haven't had any results yet. i think keir starmer has done a tremendous job of transforming the labour party and putting forward a programme for government that i am hopeful that people have got behind. the numbers are a bit more — people have got behind. the numbers are a bit more than _ people have got behind. the numbers are a bit more than encouraging - people have got behind. the numbers are a bit more than encouraging for. are a bit more than encouraging for the labour party. you will have had thousands of activists on the stump today, banging on doors, doing their own research with clipboards getting busy. do your numbers at labour hq broadly match with what we have seen tonight? broadly match with what we have seen toniaht? ~ , ., broadly match with what we have seen toniaht? ~ ,, ., ., ~' broadly match with what we have seen toniaht? ~ ,, ., ., ~ ., tonight? well, if you look at where we were in — tonight? well, if you look at where we were in 2019, _

tonight? well, if you look at where we were in 2019, just _ tonight? well, if you look at where we were in 2019, just to _ tonight? well, if you look at where we were in 2019, just to get - tonight? well, if you look at where we were in 2019, just to get a - we were in 2019, just to get a majority of one we would have to have a swing grater than tony blair's in 1997. so we know a number of seats were on a knife edge from our own data. i also know that all of our activists and candidates have been going out there and not taking anything for granted, and speaking to the electorate about what they believe matters to them, and the concerns they have had. i think the thing that kept coming back to us was that the 1a years the tories have been in power and the chaos that they have had to tolerate, they wanted the change. we that they have had to tolerate, they wanted the change.— wanted the change. we will understand _ wanted the change. we will understand tonight - wanted the change. we will understand tonight why - wanted the change. we willj understand tonight why you wanted the change. we will. understand tonight why you are wanted the change. we will- understand tonight why you are at this stage a bit reluctant to crack a smile. it has been the watchword of keir starmer all the way through, to not be complacent. yet you might be able to hear peter mandelson chuckling along in the studio, as you are nobly emphasising it still may be uncertain for you. do you think that you are going to be deputy prime minister by the end of the weekend? it

deputy prime minister by the end of the weekend?— deputy prime minister by the end of the weekend? ., , ., ., , ,., the weekend? it would be an absolute honour and a — the weekend? it would be an absolute honour and a privilege _ the weekend? it would be an absolute honour and a privilege to _ the weekend? it would be an absolute honour and a privilege to be _ honour and a privilege to be re—elected, first of all, as the mp for ashton—under—lyne. but then to be in government as the deputy prime minister, the nine years i have been an mp i have not been able to affect change because we have been in opposition. the ability and the opportunity to serve the british people and to bring about the change they are desperate for would be an absolute privilege for me. but i am not counting my chickens until we have got those results coming in. clive myrie here. you say you are not counting your chickens, what kind of chickens might they be? what kind of chickens might they be? what kind of chickens would you like to see in terms of a future job description? in a keir starmer government?— description? in a keir starmer government? well, i have been deafinu government? well, i have been dealing with _ government? well, i have been dealing with the _ government? well, i have been dealing with the new— government? well, i have been dealing with the new deal- government? well, i have been dealing with the new deal for. dealing with the new deal for working people, iwant dealing with the new deal for working people, i want to see secure jobs for people. i want to see the 1.5 million homes that we have promised to be built. i want to support our local government colleagues in our communities and bring them closer together. and i

want to serve in whichever way i possibly can, hopefully in a labour government that can bring about the change that they desperately need. it will be a team effort. the shadow cabinet working well together and the labour team are very keen to make sure we put country before party, and that we serve in whichever way keir starmer would us to. ., ~' , ., whichever way keir starmer would us to. . ~ i. whichever way keir starmer would us to. . ~ . ., whichever way keir starmer would us to. . . ., , to. thank you so much for bravely standing in the rain _ to. thank you so much for bravely standing in the rain in _ to. thank you so much for bravely standing in the rain in your- to. thank you so much for bravely standing in the rain in your own i standing in the rain in your own constituency. thank you forjoining us. fix, constituency. thank you for 'oining us. �* , ., constituency. thank you for 'oining us, �* , ., ., , ., constituency. thank you for 'oining us. ~ , ., ., , ., , us. a bit of a smile at the very end. it us. a bit of a smile at the very end- it is _ us. a bit of a smile at the very end. it is an _ us. a bit of a smile at the very end. it is an exeter _ us. a bit of a smile at the very end. it is an exeter poll, - us. a bit of a smile at the very end. it is an exeter poll, an i us. a bit of a smile at the very i end. it is an exeter poll, an early indication. but it is suggesting a landslide for labour. —— exit poll. we are waiting for results coming in and we have correspondence up more counts around the country than any other broadcaster. analysing the results i'm getting a sense of how the evening is going to progress is my colleague, reeta chakrabarti, who will be feeding all of the statistics and evidence into her giant screen.

ican bring i can bring you some of the forecasts. they are forecasts at the moment because it is an exeter poll. it's based on the balance of probability, using data from the exit poll. there will be some very well known conservative faces faced with a brutal night. iain duncan smith, former conservative leader. we calculate his chance of hanging on his seat in chingford, in east london, is less than 1%. steve baker in the studio, i am sorry to be putting you up on the screen like this. we are giving you less than 1% chance of hanging on to your seat in wycombe. grant shapps, defence secretary, a 6% chance of winning his seat in hertfordshire. let me bring you some more well known names, with a slightly better

chance, but they will not be very happy looking at this. jeremy hunt, the chancellor, 19% chance of winning his seat in godalming and ash. another way of saying that is 81% chance of losing it. penny mordaunt in portsmouth north, the leader of the house of commons, her chance of winning is 25%, the balance of probability. jacob rees—mogg, in north—east summer set, his chance of winning is a7%. they are some of the big names we will be looking out for. i can also tell you based on the information we have so far, it looks as if labour has a 100% chance of winning, gaining, 110 conservative held seats. so, lots of information there. reeta, thank you. more from you throughout the night. more from our

guests in the studio, steve baker, we will talk about the projections that we are afraid to show you losing your seat, peter mandelson, you were chuckling away when angela rayner was nobly suggesting things might still feel uncertain. you are clearly deeply sceptical that this is looking anything like anything other than a landslide?- other than a landslide? angela ra ner is other than a landslide? angela rayner is allowed _ other than a landslide? angela rayner is allowed to _ other than a landslide? angela rayner is allowed to be - other than a landslide? angela rayner is allowed to be sober, | other than a landslide? angela - rayner is allowed to be sober, she will carry big responsibilities in the government if the exit poll is right. i am allowed to be a little bit more gobsmacked. i think that an electoral meteor has now struck planet earth. in a sense, it is not surprising, given everything the country has gone through over the last ten years. i think it would have required superman as leader of the conservative party to lead them back to some sort of victory. and rishi sunak is not superman. but i have to say this, this is an extraordinary achievement from keir

starmer and his team. nobody in 2019, nobody, would have imagined that this was possible. they and the team, and all of the people that have run this campaign, they deserve absolutely every piece of credit thatis absolutely every piece of credit that is coming their way.- that is coming their way. steve baker, that is coming their way. steve baker. do _ that is coming their way. steve baker. do you _ that is coming their way. steve baker, do you think _ that is coming their way. steve baker, do you think you - that is coming their way. steve baker, do you think you have l that is coming their way. steve - baker, do you think you have lost? i came into this campaign knowing i was widely— came into this campaign knowing i was widely expected to lose. i think the dynamic in wycombe is slightly different— the dynamic in wycombe is slightly different to what is generally expected in the polls. i have the constituency and know how it works, i'm happy— constituency and know how it works, i'm happy to — constituency and know how it works, i'm happy to talk about it. i could easily— i'm happy to talk about it. i could easily have — i'm happy to talk about it. i could easily have lost very heavily. it is possible — easily have lost very heavily. it is possible there is a path to winning narrowlx — possible there is a path to winning narrowly. we will see in the morning _ narrowly. we will see in the morning i_ narrowly. we will see in the morning. i accept that it is a slim chance _ morning. i accept that it is a slim chance it — morning. i accept that it is a slim chance. it will be an incredibly difficult — chance. it will be an incredibly difficult night. if it is the range between — difficult night. if it is the range between 210, and ia! mps difficult night. if it is the range between 210, and !a! mps losing their seat, a painful night for them and their— their seat, a painful night for them and their staff.

i think angelo was being far too coy~ _ i think angelo was being far too coy~ i_ i think angelo was being far too coy. i expected to be deputy prime minister_ coy. i expected to be deputy prime minister within a couple of days, and i_ minister within a couple of days, and i think— minister within a couple of days, and i think peter is showing his political— and i think peter is showing his political experience by being able to accept — political experience by being able to accept labour have had a landslide. —— angela. it is a pretty devastating — landslide. —— angela. it is a pretty devastating over the conservative party _ devastating over the conservative pa . ~ ., devastating over the conservative pa . . . ., devastating over the conservative party-— peter. i devastating over the conservative | party-— peter. to devastating over the conservative - party-— peter, to be party. what went wrong? peter, to be fair, ou party. what went wrong? peter, to be fair. you said — party. what went wrong? peter, to be fair, you said everything _ party. what went wrong? peter, to be fair, you said everything that - party. what went wrong? peter, to be fair, you said everything that has - fair, you said everything that has gone _ fair, you said everything that has gone wrong over the last ten years. the country— gone wrong over the last ten years. the country has been through a number— the country has been through a number of— the country has been through a number of big stresses, no doubt in leaving _ number of big stresses, no doubt in leaving the — number of big stresses, no doubt in leaving the eu we put the country through— leaving the eu we put the country through quite a lot of stress. you made quite _ through quite a lot of stress. you made quite a _ through quite a lot of stress. you made quite a lot _ through quite a lot of stress. you made quite a lot of— through quite a lot of stress. gm. made quite a lot of that stress with your eurosceptic colleagues, making things very difficult for people who were trying to run the country. indeed we did, but i have to say, if we had _ indeed we did, but i have to say, if we had not — indeed we did, but i have to say, if we had not resisted the deal over which _ we had not resisted the deal over which i _ we had not resisted the deal over which i resign from government, and quite _ which i resign from government, and quite sore _ which i resign from government, and quite sore conservative party would have split _ quite sore conservative party would have split sooner and we would have lost power _ have split sooner and we would have lost power to jeremy corbyn, have split sooner and we would have lost power tojeremy corbyn, which i don't _ lost power tojeremy corbyn, which i don't think— lost power tojeremy corbyn, which i don't think even peter would have welcomed — don't think even peter would have welcomed. so i'm not sorry we did that _ welcomed. so i'm not sorry we did that i_ welcomed. so i'm not sorry we did that ithink— welcomed. so i'm not sorry we did that. i think it would have been an absolute _ that. i think it would have been an absolute catastrophe, whereas from a conservative point of view, i think this creates — conservative point of view, i think this creates a very bad situation.

obviously. — this creates a very bad situation. obviously, i would this creates a very bad situation. obviously, iwould be in this creates a very bad situation. obviously, i would be in the this creates a very bad situation. obviously, iwould be in the labour party— obviously, iwould be in the labour party if— obviously, iwould be in the labour party if i_ obviously, iwould be in the labour party if i got the labour party was a good _ party if i got the labour party was a good thing. i think this will create — a good thing. i think this will create a _ a good thing. i think this will create a bad situation for the country. _ create a bad situation for the country, but one from which we can recover, _ country, but one from which we can recover, but — country, but one from which we can recover, but that would not have been _ recover, but that would not have been the — recover, but that would not have been the case ofjeremy corbyn and john mcdonnell had taken power. i am very conscious of 2a! conservative mps lose — very conscious of 2a! conservative mps lose their seats, it will be a very— mps lose their seats, it will be a very painful time for them, their families, — very painful time for them, their families, their staff and the conservative party, and obviously, all of— conservative party, and obviously, all of us _ conservative party, and obviously, all of us are — conservative party, and obviously, all of us are very worried about the future _ all of us are very worried about the future of— all of us are very worried about the future of the country under labour, even, _ future of the country under labour, even. if, _ future of the country under labour, even. if, of— future of the country under labour, even, if, of course, peter is likely to relish— even, if, of course, peter is likely to relish it — even, if, of course, peter is likely to relish it— to relish it. very unlikely rishi sunak can _ to relish it. very unlikely rishi sunak can stay _ to relish it. very unlikely rishi sunak can stay on _ to relish it. very unlikely rishi sunak can stay on as - to relish it. very unlikely rishi sunak can stay on as leader i to relish it. very unlikely rishi sunak can stay on as leader if| to relish it. very unlikely rishi i sunak can stay on as leader if all this comes to pass, and if he goes, you will run, won't you? i don't want to get into that tonight _ i don't want to get into that tonight. this came about because there _ tonight. this came about because there was— tonight. this came about because there was a recording of a private speech— there was a recording of a private speech i— there was a recording of a private speech i gave and it ended up in the press _ speech i gave and it ended up in the press but — press but... did - press but... did you not say it?! what is sad is sad, but the situation _ what is sad is sad, but the situation for me is, i have a great deal— situation for me is, i have a great deal of— situation for me is, i have a great deal of respect for rishi sunak. —— what _ deal of respect for rishi sunak. —— what is _ deal of respect for rishi sunak. —— what is said — deal of respect for rishi sunak. —— what is said is sad. i think he has a brilliant — what is said is sad. i think he has a brilliant mind and a great height for our—

a brilliant mind and a great height for our country.— a brilliant mind and a great height for our country. d-day?! standing in the rain? sky — for our country. d-day?! standing in the rain? sky tv? — for our country. d-day?! standing in the rain? sky tv? gambling? - the rain? sky tv? gambling? i understand from my own colleagues and some _ i understand from my own colleagues and some in— i understand from my own colleagues and some in the press that it took a while _ and some in the press that it took a while before evenjournalists while before even journalists realised _ while before evenjournalists realised d—day was a mistake, with the benefit — realised d—day was a mistake, with the benefit of hindsight, obviously it was _ the benefit of hindsight, obviously it was i_ the benefit of hindsight, obviously it was. i think for those of us with a background in the armed forces, it was plainly— a background in the armed forces, it was plainly a — a background in the armed forces, it was plainly a mistake, and he had to stay to— was plainly a mistake, and he had to stay to the _ was plainly a mistake, and he had to stay to the end, but the mistake was made _ stay to the end, but the mistake was made but— stay to the end, but the mistake was made. but when you look at his capacity— made. but when you look at his capacity to _ made. but when you look at his capacity to execute an great detail, it's terrific. — capacity to execute an great detail, it's terrific, and i saw that with the wind — it's terrific, and i saw that with the wind framework. i have a great deal of _ the wind framework. i have a great deal of admiration for him. i think he will— deal of admiration for him. i think he will do — deal of admiration for him. i think he will do what is in the national interest — he will do what is in the national interest. . , interest. peter, briefly, the transformation _ interest. peter, briefly, the transformation of _ interest. peter, briefly, the transformation of labour. interest. peter, briefly, the - transformation of labour under keir starmerfrom 2019 to transformation of labour under keir starmer from 2019 to now, that is actually more transformational, potentially, than what you were able to do with labour from 1992—1997, when you think about it. it is a lot more! it is a lot more. before 1997, we had gone up in 1987

under neil kinnock, we went up again under neil kinnock, we went up again under neil kinnock to 1992. we were on an upward trend heading towards a 1997. now, of course, tony blair and all of us turbo—charge the changes in the labour party that gave us our landslide victory in 1997, but when you compare that to what we have been through, we went down in 2015, we went down in 2019. i don't think there has ever been a party coming from opposition, i think it is unprecedented, to overhaul such an electoral deficit as this and then catapult into notjust a majority government, but a huge majority of the kind that your exit poll is suggesting. i can't think in history what precedent exists for it. we will have to end it there for now. stay with us, peter mandelson

and steve baker. i know you will go after your own count, but stay with us for a while. we are right around the country, and with every count, i believe. we can show you pictures of where things are getting busy already. there is blyth and sunderland. now, they are very eagerly racing each other to be the quickest count of the night. they are actually running with those ballot boxes! look at them there. it's a fierce competition, very fierce, and we hope one of them will come with the first result of the night sometime after 11:10pm. a heroic effort! yes, they really go for it! sally nugent and naga munchetty are in competition as well! i think they are raising each of the! i understand victoria derbyshire is in richmond, with rishi sunak�*s camp. i wonder if you are hearing anything as yet, victoria, as to a

response to this exit poll, what the mood might be? well, nothing from the prime minister, as he still is, right now. we are outside his house. we have got a car, actually, that hasjust left the grounds of the house. it has been so quiet here this evening, no cars going in or out. all we could hear all evening where the sound of the wood pigeons. we could smell the cows in the field next door. the curtains are closed, as far as we can see, the shutters are closed, but the prime minister is in sight, and no doubt absorbing the news of that exit poll. if it is accurate or near accurate, he will be contemplating the comprehensive defeat, the brutal battering that he has led his party to. we are expecting to hear from has led his party to. we are expecting to hearfrom him in the early hours of the morning, about 3:30am to aam. we think that will be the first time we will hear from the prime minister, and that will be at the countyjust down the road at the

local leisure centre, where he hopes, despite what is happening, it would appear, to many of his conservative mps, to be re—elected as the tory mp for richmond and northallerton. all right, victoria, thank you. we have been showing you some of the forecast of how the tory vote has fallen away in different parts of the country. look at that in the north. their vote is forecast to have dropped by 2a%. 29% in the midlands. there you can see bridget phillipson, who looks very happy. she has been the shadow education secretary, one of the closest allies of keir starmer. smiling away at her count in sunderland. if the poll is anything like right, she will shortly be the education secretary. she is inside at sunderland while they continue to run around outside. let's speak to fiona bruce in the other big camp tonight, camp starmer. perhaps a different atmosphere there. fiona, have you seen hide or hair of the labour

leader, who is on the verge of becoming prime minister, according to the poll? not hide nor hair yet! the contrast between here and what you just saw, victoria, could not be greater. huge sense of anticipation here. feverish activity. they are counting the votes. i'm told keir starmer was watching the results of that exit poll with friends and family, and all sorts of caveats around the pole, as you have already said, but i'm sure he was delighted to see that result. this is clearly a very important count, and this is where he is coming to, holborn and st pancras. we expect the result between 2am and 3am. he will arrive probably a5 minute before then, have a chat with people counting the votes, see what is going on, and then we will hear from him. votes, see what is going on, and then we will hearfrom him. i'm not expecting to hearfrom him before then. as to where he goes after that, we're not sure. will he go home? unlikely, iwould have thought. with a go—to labour ho, or somewhere else? myjob tonight is to

try and follow him wherever he goes. but at the moment, the count has started, and there is a huge sense of anticipation here. thanks so much, fiona. keep a close eye and give us a holler if you see any movement. yes, interesting, the exit poll numbers in scotland, but lots of health warnings there because we don't have as many areas that are counted in the figures for exit polls, so it is a little bit tricky. but we are going to get a bit of a progress report on the evening from kirsty wark, who is at the bbc headquarters in pacific quay in glasgow. good evening. i have with me angus robertson, the former secretary of the scottish convent, and the former westminster leader and mp ian murray, the mp and scottish secretary, which might change after tonight. it's worth saying that we have got in the exit poll ten seats for the snp, but i think we are not

extrapolating. the parties are extrapolating, and we will talk about that in a minute. the bbc is not extrapolating. first, ian murray, if this exit poll is in anyway true, we could have a new secretary of state for scotland? that underline in bold, if, but what we have seen over the last six weeks in this election campaign is a changed labour party offering change in the public, the public have responded to that. if the exit poll turns out to be correct, it is just an exit poll, but it chimes with what we have seen in other polls in recent days and weeks, and that's the kind of thing we have been getting back on the doorstep. we need to be very cautious, because a lot of the seats, of course, where big snp majorities, and they could be very tight indeed, and we are coming from the worst election result since 1935, and therefore the hill is steep to climb, and it looks as if we are climbing some of it tonight, but let's not get carried away this early in the night. a very starmer —like reaction. no whooping orjumping up and down? we have always been confident but not complacent. we will not be

complacent until such time as all those votes are counted and in the back. �* . those votes are counted and in the back. . , .,, ,., ., back. angus robertson, no extrapolation _ back. angus robertson, no extrapolation for _ back. angus robertson, no extrapolation for the - back. angus robertson, no extrapolation for the snp. | back. angus robertson, no i extrapolation for the snp. the back. angus robertson, no - extrapolation for the snp. the snp, if this is correct, has lost 35 seats. the former snp leader nicola sturgeon tonight says this is the grimmer end of expectations. expecting the exit poll to be profoundly right. what is your response to the exit poll? i am obviously disappointed, and congratulations to ian and colleagues. i think it is in line with— colleagues. i think it is in line with recent polls over recent weeks that were _ with recent polls over recent weeks that were predicting a labour victory— that were predicting a labour victory both at a uk level but also in scotland, and of course, i am disappointed. i was the leader of the snp — disappointed. i was the leader of the snp in the house of commons for ten years. _ the snp in the house of commons for ten years. so— the snp in the house of commons for ten years, so that's a lot of my colleagues, who it looks like will not be _ colleagues, who it looks like will not be holding their seats, and that is obviously — not be holding their seats, and that is obviously disappointing, but i will agree with ian. i think it's important _ will agree with ian. i think it's important. i think the public has 'ust important. i think the public has just been— important. i think the public has just been so sick of conservative uk governments that they have wanted

them out. _ governments that they have wanted them out, and i think the labour message — them out, and i think the labour message of, vote labour, vote keir starmer— message of, vote labour, vote keir starmer for— message of, vote labour, vote keir starmer for change, message of, vote labour, vote keir starmerfor change, i message of, vote labour, vote keir starmer for change, i think that has resonatedm — resonated... on - resonated... on the scottish doorsteps? on the scottish doorsteps? on the scottish doorsteps? on the scottish doorsteps as well. the idea _ on the scottish doorsteps as well. the idea of— on the scottish doorsteps as well. the idea of soft snp supporters, vote for labour to get the conservatives out, however, it could just be a straightforward verdict and actually what the snp has been doing in government in scotland, because after all, you have been there since 2007, which is a very long time, and by and large, support for independence is kind of sticking where it often is, in the late a0s, but actually, maybe they feel that the snp has not delivered for them? if it was that simple, the snp would be getting nearly 50% of the vote. it is be getting nearly 50% of the vote. it is not _ be getting nearly 50% of the vote. it is not the way that scottish politics — it is not the way that scottish politics work. this was a uk election— politics work. this was a uk election where people have the opportunity of kicking out rishi sunak— opportunity of kicking out rishi sunak and getting rid of the boris johnson _ sunak and getting rid of the boris johnson nightmare, getting rid of the liz— johnson nightmare, getting rid of the liz truss government and the record _ the liz truss government and the record of— the liz truss government and the

record of total tory incompetence, and i_ record of total tory incompetence, and i think— record of total tory incompetence, and i think the change message chime — and i think the change message chime. we know that is a very powerful— chime. we know that is a very powerful message, and i think voters in scotland _ powerful message, and i think voters in scotland decided in a uk election to vote _ in scotland decided in a uk election to vote to— in scotland decided in a uk election to vote to change a uk government, and the — to vote to change a uk government, and the labour party managed to land the message that they were the principal— the message that they were the principal vehicle for that. but — principal vehicle for that. but if— principal vehicle for that. but if this exit poll is in any way right, and you are in government with an extremely comfortable majority, it still means you are going to have to deliver for scotland in the next two years, because there are scottish parliamentary elections in two years' time, and we will interrogate this later, there are some things you have promised an offer that may not be possible because obviously, there are fiscal rules to follow, you will not have the money to do stuff? the work will start on that first thing on friday morning, tomorrow morning, if we are lucky enough for these figures to be correct, and keir starmer becomes prime minister. but i think it's really important, particularly for viewers across the whole of the uk, to realise that people in scotland have been demanding change for a0 years with the tories in 17 years with the snp.

"14 the tories in 17 years with the snp. —— 1a years. it was about waiting lists in the nhs in scotland, and the state of the economy. yes, a lot of that was to blame for the tories and their incompetence in the chaos at westminster, but 17 years of failure in scotland, and if the snp take from this message that the voters are wrong, they might end up in a worse position in 2026. you very much indeed. over to you. kirsty, a quick question, it is an exit poll, and it is even trickier predicting these things early on in scotland. but if the numbers are anywhere near where they are now, where does that leave the snp and potentially pushing for a second independence referendum? first of all, there is no extrapolation in scotland. the snp ten is disputed in here, but actually, just say it is ten, it certainly sets the cause of independence back, but you have also got these scottish elections in the scottish parliament. people vote in

different ways. as angus robertson said, it could be a protest vote against the conservative government. as ian murray says, it could be a verdict on what the snp's record in devolved matters like the nhs, like education, is. so actually, it is a much more complex rubik's cube in scotland. it is notjust one chamber of power, but a second as well. thank you, kirsty. i think we can hear them arguing over the numbers in the background, whether they really believe the poll! but tonight, they will be no arguing withjeremy vine's numbers. he is in cardiff for the night, and we are going to cross to him now. jeremy, let's see what you have got. thanks, laura. yes, welcome to the headquarters of bbc wales, you can see this map here, and you can see the blue areas, tory seats, and the most marginal one are first. we have a board, let's call it a battle board, and each tab is a seat, and there are 50. each time i change the board. these are the most marginal seats, the most marginal of all, for

the conservatives going into this election. birmingham, with a one to seven majority last time. leigh and atherton, a new seat. really slender majorities. high peak, 590. then the twin seats of bury south and bury north, etc. as we go down, the seats gradually get better defended and the conservatives have a better chance of keeping them. the results we are putting up are just predictions, most of the blue has been washed off, except for, interestingly listening to kirsty, the scottish seats. conservatives are defending scottish seats better than anywhere else. but it is a wash of red and liberal democrat orange, as the opposition parties are ripping through the first tory board. these seats, changing hands, all of the ones except in scotland, and the top two lib dem targets are

carshalton and wimbledon. the next 50 tory seats, you can see what has happened. you can see what has happened. you can see what has happened here. seats 50 — 100, happened. you can see what has happened here. seats 50 —100, truro goes, wrexham, hazel grove goes lib dem, dumfriesshire stays conservative, they are somehow defending scottish seats. but look at the damage. until we get to exmouth, we have not seen a seat outside of scotland that the conservatives have managed to defend successfully, in their first 100. finchley, margaret thatcher's old seat, that goes to the lib dems. the map on the floor changes as i bring them on. that is a peachy lib dem target, sutton and cheam. woking, they take, brecon and eastleigh. a phenomenal night for the liberal democrats when you think last time they barely had a dozen seats. look at the red going down the board. the tories are not defending anything in

england at this point and we are still in the first 150 conservative seats. the colours on the map are changing. let's look at seats 151-200. changing. let's look at seats 151—200. where will the conservative started to mount a defence in england? telford, labour. south devon, lib dem. froome in east sussex, lib dem. lib dems and labour doing brilliantly. beaconsfield, the conservative seem to have defended it, but it is hard—line conservative country. bassetlaw, formed from the conservatives. tunbridge wells, this is the conservatives defending a seat here and there, but these are the 180th target seats. it looks like grant shapps is gone under the prediction as well. let's see the next board. 201—250. even seats that are 200 down the target list, labour

are 200 down the target list, labour are taking. rochester and strood, isle of wight west. yes, some are being defended. mel stride, back in central devon says our prediction. they are taking lowestoft, this is interesting, 129th on the labour seat, and still gaining bexleyheath. the conservatives can't defend their own seats until you get to seat 251. we are way down, in safe tory territory now. salisbury, reigate, tewkesbury, cambridge and north west, beverly, windsor. even here, labour are taking seats. sutton coldfield, amber valley, broxbourne, chatham, solihull were to, even here, in their safest, safest seats. great yarmouth was the seat of brandon lewis, the formerjustice and northern ireland secretary. that is gone under the prediction. it is

a horrible night for the conservatives. they mop their brows, seat 300, at last, the conservatives are starting to mount a defence. but only in the safest seats, and even then you have labour taking cannock chase, which had a huge tory majority. the whole map is changing tonight. it isjust majority. the whole map is changing tonight. it is just an extraordinary prediction that we have got here. a roll call of disaster as you see the constituencies spin through. brute the constituencies spin through. - spoke to victoria derbyshire outside rishi sunak�*s home in richmond, the lights were not on, it looked pretty quiet. but he is tweeting. he has put this out to the hundreds of conservative candidates, thousands of volunteers on millions of voters, thank you for your hard work, thank you for your support and thank you for your vote. keir you for your support and thank you for your vote-— you for your support and thank you for your vote. keir starmer has also beuun to for your vote. keir starmer has also begun to have _

for your vote. keir starmer has also begun to have his _ for your vote. keir starmer has also begun to have his say. _ for your vote. keir starmer has also begun to have his say. to _ for your vote. keir starmer has also | begun to have his say. to everybody who has campaigned for labour, but everyone who voted for us and put their trust in our changed labour party, thank you. neither man either conceding or claiming victory at this stage of the night, you would not expect them to do any less. but they are there with a message to their supporters. and when we eventually get the counts at various times through the night, we will hearfrom them directly times through the night, we will hear from them directly on the stage. hear from them directly on the stare. . ., , ., hear from them directly on the stale, , ., ~' , hear from them directly on the stae. , . ~' , ., hear from them directly on the stare. _, ,, , .,, stage. their counts are likely to be later in the — stage. their counts are likely to be later in the evening. _ stage. their counts are likely to be later in the evening. we _ stage. their counts are likely to be later in the evening. we need - stage. their counts are likely to be later in the evening. we need the. later in the evening. we need the first count and we're hoping is going to be one of these counts. nagain going to be one of these counts. naga in blyth, and sally, joining hours from sunderland south. naga, how is it looking fair? hey. how is it looking fair? hey, evening- — how is it looking fair? hey, evening. it's _ how is it looking fair? hey, evening. it's looking - how is it looking fair? hey, evening. it's looking really| how is it looking fair? hey, - evening. it's looking really busy. a record _ evening. it's looking really busy. a record has— evening. it's looking really busy. a record has already been broken. i was here — record has already been broken. i was here in— record has already been broken. i was here in 2019 and it took 38 seconds — was here in 2019 and it took 38 seconds for the first ballot box to

come _ seconds for the first ballot box to come in — seconds for the first ballot box to come in it— seconds for the first ballot box to come in. it took 30 seconds today. it is come in. it took 30 seconds today. it is a _ come in. it took 30 seconds today. it is a more — come in. it took 30 seconds today. it is a more streamlined operation here _ it is a more streamlined operation here i_ it is a more streamlined operation here iwill— it is a more streamlined operation here. i will say that. but it has been _ here. i will say that. but it has been so — here. i will say that. but it has been so strenuously pressed upon us, accuracy— been so strenuously pressed upon us, accuracy is _ been so strenuously pressed upon us, accuracy is key, not speed. i know you have — accuracy is key, not speed. i know you have seen the pictures of outside — you have seen the pictures of outside this leisure centre in blyth. — outside this leisure centre in blyth. of— outside this leisure centre in blyth, of cars coming in and people running _ blyth, of cars coming in and people running in — blyth, of cars coming in and people running in with boxes, but this is a really. _ running in with boxes, but this is a really. really — running in with boxes, but this is a really, really streamlined operation. there are !8 teams counting _ operation. there are !8 teams counting. they are prioritising the first constituency, there are four here. _ first constituency, there are four here, blyth and ashington. that will be the _ here, blyth and ashington. that will be the first— here, blyth and ashington. that will be the first to be declared. about 15 minutes— be the first to be declared. about !5 minutes ago we were told, look, expect— !5 minutes ago we were told, look, expect that — !5 minutes ago we were told, look, expect that in around an hour. a little _ expect that in around an hour. a little bit — expect that in around an hour. a little bit vague, the expectation is that could — little bit vague, the expectation is that could come in at about !!.30. it that could come in at about !!.30. it might— that could come in at about !!.30. it might be — that could come in at about !!.30. it might be sooner. i know we are waiting _ it might be sooner. i know we are waiting for— it might be sooner. i know we are waiting for the first results. four constituencies, all new because of boundary — constituencies, all new because of boundary changes, blyth and ashington, cramlington,

killingworth, hexham and northumberland north. what is the secret— northumberland north. what is the secret apart from the running you are seeing? lots of people, very little _ are seeing? lots of people, very little downtime to keep the operation streamlined. accuracy is key. operation streamlined. accuracy is key~ i've _ operation streamlined. accuracy is key. i've managed to steal from one of the _ key. i've managed to steal from one of the tables, you might be able to see, of the tables, you might be able to see. a _ of the tables, you might be able to see, a thimble, i am seeing the lightweight paper being used, that is very— lightweight paper being used, that is very much part of the key as welt _ is very much part of the key as welt i— is very much part of the key as welt iwill— is very much part of the key as well. i will tell you a story. the man _ well. i will tell you a story. the man who — well. i will tell you a story. the man who masterminded this operation in 2019— man who masterminded this operation in 2019 was— man who masterminded this operation in 2019 was bill crawford, and he had been — in 2019 was bill crawford, and he had been coached from sunderland, where _ had been coached from sunderland, where sally is, and he had worked at newcastle _ where sally is, and he had worked at newcastle in previous years. now his son, newcastle in previous years. now his son. mark— newcastle in previous years. now his son, mark crawford, is masterminding the operation here. we will see if success— the operation here. we will see if success runs through the generations. in 2019, blyth lost out from being — generations. in 2019, blyth lost out from being the first count because there _ from being the first count because there was— from being the first count because there was one bundle that needed to be recounted. everybody here is hoping _ be recounted. everybody here is hoping it— be recounted. everybody here is hoping it will not be the case in 2024 — hoping it will not be the case in 202a. ~ ., ., ., ., ., .,

202a. we are going to go over to where 2024. we are going to go over to where the — 2024. we are going to go over to where the head _ 2024. we are going to go over to where the head honcho _ 2024. we are going to go over to where the head honcho was - 2024. we are going to go over to - where the head honcho was poached, nicked to try and get the first count. sadly, they are convinced they are going to be first, how are they are going to be first, how are the labour feeling about the night so far? fist the labour feeling about the night so far? �* ., , ., so far? at the moment, they are in such a huddle. _ so far? at the moment, they are in such a huddle, keeping _ so far? at the moment, they are in such a huddle, keeping things - so far? at the moment, they are in such a huddle, keeping things very| such a huddle, keeping things very low—key. they are not saying a lot. i have to give a special mention to the sixth formers of saint aidan's high school, they are the kids you have seen on the screens running the boxes in for the last 30 minutes or so. they have been having special training. there is a human chain from the car park up the steps, to the back door. and when we see a sixth form i run in, 16 or17, the back door. and when we see a sixth form i run in, 16 or 17, maybe not old enough to vote yet but definitely playing their part on election night. we are perhaps the

underdogs when it comes to timing. we are perhaps expecting to come second. but i can tell you that we have a secret weapon in this room. in this room is jackie, one of the bank tellers from the original counts all of those years ago. she has brought back the a team and they are at the back of the room counting right now. they are confident. jackie told me they are going to win. lt jackie told me they are going to win. . ., , ., ., jackie told me they are going to win. , ., win. it could be down to jackie. thank you. _ win. it could be down to jackie. thank you, sally. _ win. it could be down to jackie. thank you, sally. and - win. it could be down to jackie. thank you, sally. and to - win. it could be down to jackie. thank you, sally. and to you, | win. it could be down to jackie. - thank you, sally. and to you, naga. she is looking daggers. great to see you both. sally was talking about those kids that were helping with the boxes, i was one of those. in bolton, lancashire. brute the boxes, i was one of those. in bolton, lancashire.— the boxes, i was one of those. in bolton, lancashire. we hope you put in a aood bolton, lancashire. we hope you put in a good shift- _ bolton, lancashire. we hope you put in a good shift. peter— bolton, lancashire. we hope you put in a good shift. peter mandelson - bolton, lancashire. we hope you put in a good shift. peter mandelson is l in a good shift. peter mandelson is imressed in a good shift. peter mandelson is impressed by _ in a good shift. peter mandelson is impressed by that. _

in a good shift. peter mandelson is impressed by that. saint _ in a good shift. peter mandelson is impressed by that. saint aidan's, l in a good shift. peter mandelson is i impressed by that. saint aidan's, we salute you- — impressed by that. saint aidan's, we salute you- we _ impressed by that. saint aidan's, we salute you. we will _ impressed by that. saint aidan's, we salute you. we will go _ impressed by that. saint aidan's, we salute you. we will go back - impressed by that. saint aidan's, we salute you. we will go back to - impressed by that. saint aidan's, we salute you. we will go back to those | salute you. we will go back to those as the night goes on. one of the things that will come in is your own result, steve baker, in wycombe. before you go, you are diplomatically saying that rishi sunak would do the right thing by the party. br; sunak would do the right thing by the -a . �* , .., , sunak would do the right thing by the party-_ do - sunak would do the right thing by the party-_ do you! the party. by the country. do you mean he would _ the party. by the country. do you mean he would have _ the party. by the country. do you mean he would have to _ the party. by the country. do you mean he would have to resign? l the party. by the country. do you l mean he would have to resign? it's an extreme difficult moment for the conservative party, really he will be handing power to conservative party, really he will be handing powerto keir conservative party, really he will be handing power to keir starmer. how he _ be handing power to keir starmer. how he behaves as leader of the conservative party is something i am sure he _ conservative party is something i am sure he will— conservative party is something i am sure he will weigh extremely carefully. we have just had a torrid time. _ carefully. we have just had a torrid time. a _ carefully. we have just had a torrid time, a dreadful result. there will undoubtedly be recriminations, shock. — undoubtedly be recriminations, shock, anger and denial. we will go through— shock, anger and denial. we will go through a _ shock, anger and denial. we will go through a grieving process and at some _ through a grieving process and at some point we will earn the right to be heard _ some point we will earn the right to be heard again. some point we will earn the right to be heard again-— some point we will earn the right to be heard again. would it be credible for him to be _ be heard again. would it be credible for him to be the _ be heard again. would it be credible for him to be the man _ be heard again. would it be credible for him to be the man at _ be heard again. would it be credible for him to be the man at the - be heard again. would it be credible for him to be the man at the helm l for him to be the man at the helm when it looks like he hasjust led you to your worst ever defeat, or

one of them, if the exit polls revise a little bit? i one of them, if the exit polls revise a little bit?— one of them, if the exit polls revise a little bit? i am sure he will be reflecting _ revise a little bit? i am sure he will be reflecting if _ revise a little bit? i am sure he will be reflecting if his - revise a little bit? i am sure he will be reflecting if his role - revise a little bit? i am sure he i will be reflecting if his role might be to— will be reflecting if his role might be to be — will be reflecting if his role might be to be there for a while to get through— be to be there for a while to get through the recriminations phase. it is a matter— through the recriminations phase. it is a matter for him and, knowing him reasonably— is a matter for him and, knowing him reasonably well, i believe that his heart _ reasonably well, i believe that his heart and — reasonably well, i believe that his heart and his mind will be set on what _ heart and his mind will be set on what is _ heart and his mind will be set on what is right for the country, and part of— what is right for the country, and part of what is right for the country. _ part of what is right for the country, and your viewers may not like it. _ country, and your viewers may not like it. but — country, and your viewers may not like it. but it — country, and your viewers may not like it, but it is having a functioning conservative party. is functioning conservative party. is part of functioning conservative party. part of the functioning conservative party. is part of the recriminations, do you feel that the conservative party listened to much to people like you on the right, a strong eurosceptic, or do you believe the wrong thing was to bring in lockdown is, allow the state to grow, to allow the tax burden to rise to the highest level? i think there is a great deal at stake — i think there is a great deal at stake. one thing is events plus technology. the combination of whatsapp and twitter is completely different _ whatsapp and twitter is completely different to when peter was last in government. only since about 2017 have we _ government. only since about 2017 have we all— government. only since about 2017 have we all ended up on whatsapp. it's produced an enormous

acceleration in public debate. covid has had _ acceleration in public debate. covid has had a _ acceleration in public debate. covid has had a massive impact, brexit does _ has had a massive impact, brexit does not — has had a massive impact, brexit does not explain what is happening in the _ does not explain what is happening in the united states or france. personally, i think what has happened for 50 years is that western— happened for 50 years is that western states have been living far beyond _ western states have been living far beyond their means and paying for it with cheap _ beyond their means and paying for it with cheap money. that has created a sense _ with cheap money. that has created a sense of— with cheap money. that has created a sense ofjustice in the world. it sense ofjustice in the world. [it looks sense ofjustice in the world. looks like sense ofjustice in the world. it looks like you will get smashed tonight, do you think that is because you are too much to the left or right? i because you are too much to the left or riuht? ., �* ~' because you are too much to the left or riuht? ., �* ~ ., or right? i don't think we can have those abstract _ or right? i don't think we can have those abstract observations. - or right? i don't think we can have those abstract observations. we l or right? i don't think we can have l those abstract observations. we got practical— those abstract observations. we got practical things about what sort of organisation does the conservative party— organisation does the conservative party wants to be? how does leadership work in the conservative party? _ leadership work in the conservative party? it— leadership work in the conservative party? it seems like the old idea of being _ party? it seems like the old idea of being an _ party? it seems like the old idea of being an absolute monarchy governed by regicide _ being an absolute monarchy governed by regicide belongs firmly in the past _ by regicide belongs firmly in the past. very practical policies that can make. — past. very practical policies that can make, for example, the health service _ can make, for example, the health service work. i think we can be proud — service work. i think we can be proud of— service work. i think we can be proud of our education record. it's very interesting that labour have returned — very interesting that labour have returned to the idea of using the private _ returned to the idea of using the private sector to get waiting lists down _ private sector to get waiting lists down we — private sector to get waiting lists down. i've said it before, i'll say it again. — down. i've said it before, i'll say it again. i— down. i've said it before, i'll say it again, i wish they would have

been _ it again, i wish they would have been able — it again, i wish they would have been able to say that consistently since _ been able to say that consistently since 2010, it would have created a space _ since 20!0, it would have created a space for— since 20!0, it would have created a space for us— since 2010, it would have created a space for us to do it, and everybody's health might have been in a better— everybody's health might have been in a better place. these are all big factors— in a better place. these are all big factors and — in a better place. these are all big factors and it might take quite a while _ factors and it might take quite a while to— factors and it might take quite a while to work through them all. i would _ while to work through them all. i would make a plea to all conservatives, at whatever level, elected _ conservatives, at whatever level, elected to — conservatives, at whatever level, elected to parliament or formally, to think— elected to parliament or formally, to think extremely carefully about what they say in public. now is the moment— what they say in public. now is the moment when we start to rebuild the conservative party, and it begins by not airing _ conservative party, and it begins by not airing recriminations in public. we have _ not airing recriminations in public. we have to — not airing recriminations in public. we have to air our differences privately— we have to air our differences privately and work through them in the spirit _ privately and work through them in the spirit of goodwill. but privately and work through them in the spirit of goodwill.— the spirit of goodwill. but you are auoted as the spirit of goodwill. but you are quoted as saying _ the spirit of goodwill. but you are quoted as saying you _ the spirit of goodwill. but you are quoted as saying you would - the spirit of goodwill. but you are quoted as saying you would make the spirit of goodwill. but you are i quoted as saying you would make a good leader because you have been nominated to lead tory rebellions by your colleagues four times over the past decade. brexit, covid lockdown is, net zero and so on. divided parties don't win elections. we know that, don't we? parties don't win elections. we know that. don't we?— that, don't we? yes, that is true. so ou that, don't we? yes, that is true. so you are _ that, don't we? yes, that is true. so you are part — that, don't we? yes, that is true. so you are part of— that, don't we? yes, that is true. so you are part of the _ that, don't we? yes, that is true. so you are part of the problem i that, don't we? yes, that is true. . so you are part of the problem here, potentially. i

so you are part of the problem here, otentiall . ., . so you are part of the problem here, otentiall . ., , potentially. i may well have lost my seat in a few _ potentially. i may well have lost my seat in a few hours, _ potentially. i may well have lost my seat in a few hours, as _ potentially. i may well have lost my seat in a few hours, as you - potentially. i may well have lost my seat in a few hours, as you have - seat in a few hours, as you have articulated. _ seat in a few hours, as you have articulated, that is expected. i am expecting — articulated, that is expected. i am expecting to be swept away in a few hours _ expecting to be swept away in a few hours and _ expecting to be swept away in a few hours and like many of your viewers watching _ hours and like many of your viewers watching this, some people will be cheering _ watching this, some people will be cheering. my colleagues asked me to sort out _ cheering. my colleagues asked me to sort out conservatives for britain before _ sort out conservatives for britain before the — sort out conservatives for britain before the referendum, the unifying project _ before the referendum, the unifying project of— before the referendum, the unifying project of the european research group. _ project of the european research group, which went south. what would have happened if we hadn't given voice _ have happened if we hadn't given voice to— have happened if we hadn't given voice to those people who thought it was extraordinary to be locked down at home? _ was extraordinary to be locked down at home? i_ was extraordinary to be locked down at home? i think it would have provoked — at home? i think it would have provoked massive conspiracy theories if nobody— provoked massive conspiracy theories if nobody in _ provoked massive conspiracy theories if nobody in parliament had been willing _ if nobody in parliament had been willing to — if nobody in parliament had been willing to give voice to that and i'm willing to give voice to that and i'm proud — willing to give voice to that and i'm proud that i did. a question about the coming weeks and months. however the majority turns out to be, if that's how the evening progresses, the inheritance for an incoming labour government will be quite a lot, won't it? whether it be the tax burden or

public services, a lot of things that cannot beat magic to weigh by a big majority, and i suppose there is a challenge for an incoming government with a big majority that is weighed down with expectation, and that then confronts a reality thatis and that then confronts a reality that is difficult to shift quickly? if i look back over my whole life, and before, i must say, i cannot identify a worse financial and economic legacy for an incoming government, frankly, since the second world war. but government, frankly, since the second world war.— government, frankly, since the second world war. but it will be labour's problem _ second world war. but it will be labour's problem in _ second world war. but it will be labour's problem in the - second world war. but it will be l labour's problem in the morning, won't it? it labour's problem in the morning, won't it? . . , , labour's problem in the morning, won'tit? . . , , , won't it? it certainly will be, but the legacy _ won't it? it certainly will be, but the legacy that _ won't it? it certainly will be, but the legacy that the _ won't it? it certainly will be, but the legacy that the 1945 - won't it? it certainly will be, but - the legacy that the 1945 government the legacy that the 19a5 government inherited wasn't due to the failures of the conservative party, it was due to the fact that we had fought and won the world war. we cannot say the same about this legacy. this legacy has been brought to us, yes, courtesy of covid and the ukraine

war, which had such an impact on energy prices. war, which had such an impact on energy prices-— war, which had such an impact on energy prices. people are not going to want to blame _ energy prices. people are not going to want to blame the _ energy prices. people are not going to want to blame the cup _ energy prices. people are not going to want to blame the cup there - energy prices. people are not going | to want to blame the cup there were previous government, will they, they will want to know what you are going to do. ., ., ., ., to do. hold on, though, we have brou:ht to do. hold on, though, we have brought this _ to do. hold on, though, we have brought this on _ to do. hold on, though, we have brought this on ourselves - to do. hold on, though, we have brought this on ourselves as - to do. hold on, though, we have| brought this on ourselves as well with brexit, notjust that, but many years of divisions and indecision over how we would implemented, then the moral collapse of borisjohnson and partygate and his lies to parliament, that shattered international confidence in our country, and then to crown it all, the calamitous liz truss and her crashing of the economy as a result of her mini budget. so, yes, all told, we have an incredible legacy, and while that means there are early, important first steps that can be taken to put things right, turning the whole picture round is going to take years, and i think that keir starmer was absolutely

right to be sober and honest and responsible in what he said to the british public during this campaign, and i would expect him to continue to be so. thank you very much. steve baker, we must let you get off to your account. i would love to rebut that! should _ i would love to rebut that! should you have stayed in greece?! you are on holiday at the start... i you are on holiday at the start... i invite _ you are on holiday at the start... i invite you — you are on holiday at the start... i invite you to _ you are on holiday at the start... i invite you to interview a chairman at myaccount! we _ at myaccount! we are grateful to you for nobly coming to bat for the conservatives are an extremely difficult night for the party. we will let you get after the party. we will let you get after the count. thanks for being with us this evening. peter mandelson, you are staying with us for some time. let's think about the numbers. indeed we are having a good old chat, and we are doing so based on an exit poll, and part of the responsibility for dealing with that exit poll is the result of the hard work of our election team and professor sirjohn curtice, of

course, whojoins us now. there are so much to take from this exit poll, john. what should we be focusing on? what you believe is the figure with element that is perhaps the most relevant, important, but also potentially accurate? the crucial thing you need to realise first of all is that this seat forecast is notjust realise first of all is that this seat forecast is not just simply a consequence of the national shares of the vote that we expect the parties to gain, but rather, how they are distributed geographically and how that has moved decisively against the conservatives. for example, support for the conservatives is falling much more heavily in places where they are trying to defend a seat than it is in places that labour already hold. but why is that happening? it's not because labour are doing spectacularly better in conservative

held seats, but because reform are. much of the damage to the conservative party tonight is being done by reform, even if it is the labour party that proved to be the beneficiary. point two, however, the second thing making life difficult for the conservatives is, where are labour doing best? well, they are doing better in places where they are starting off seconds of the conservatives. oh, and by the way, they also seem to be doing quite well in the battle with the snp, which i will come back to. but equally, white as the liberal democrat figure so high? not because we are anticipating some spectacular rise in lib dems support, but rather that ed davey�*s hopes of doing particularly well in seats where the liberal democrats are the challengers to the conservatives, it looks like that hope will be realised. so there are two things that flow from that. first, an obvious health warning. while we're pretty convinced this pattern would exist by the of the night, whether we have got it exactly right is much more uncertain. whether we have

slightly overestimated or underestimated these patterns could make quite a lot of difference to the seat outcome. the second thing that flows from this is that although this looks like an election in which labour will get a landslide in which labour will get a landslide in terms of seats, it does not follow, i will repeat, it does not follow, i will repeat, it does not follow, that this necessarily means that labour have a landslide in terms of votes. so that is point number one about the broad picture we are presenting in this exit poll. the health warning that goes with the estimate, but also the implications for how we might end up interpreting this result at the end of the night. there are then two other things to say. the two figures i think there have probably caused no surprise, most discussion, perhaps most controversy, are one, reform at 13, and two, the snp at ten. those of the two figures about which we are at least certain. basically, what we have got in the exit poll is a lot of places where there is a small chance that reform

will win the seat, but we are talking about a 20—30% chance. we add up these probabilities, and get to the figure of 13. but to be honest, the figure could end up being quite a lot less, or quite a lot more, depending on how the cookie crumbles. equally, it has been emphasised from the beginning of the night, inevitably, we have fewer data points in scotland and elsewhere. it looks like the snp have done particularly badly, but remember, there are lots of seats in scotland which are marginal between labour and the snp, and even if we havejust labour and the snp, and even if we have just underestimated the snp performance, relative to labour by a little bit, then that snp number will go up. so those are the health warnings. of course, behind all of this, it does look as though, yes, sir keir starmer will be the prime minister tomorrow. sir keir starmer will be the prime ministertomorrow. he sir keir starmer will be the prime minister tomorrow. he will probably have a very substantial overall majority, and of course, that's the

crucial thing we are trying to find out. but inevitably there is still plenty of uncertainty in an election which in many ways looks as though we are going to come up with all sorts of historical records in terms of shares, seats, and also the change in majority support. in a sense, it will be one of the most interesting and unprecedented elections in british psephological history. it certainly is, john, you've given us the appropriate bucket of salt. the thing is, the seat numbers may be different from those small numbers of parties. the suggestion, very significant that reform may be on many seats, and that the snp might crash to 10. you are being very clear those numbers might change. however, do you suggest the exit polls suggest those movements of voters, massively up for reform and down for the snp, is there even if they don't translate into seats? yes, inevitably... well, so far as

reform are concerned, we are very confident they are doing something that —— meto not1 million miles away from what exit polls were estimating. in terms of vote share, and how it translates into seats, thatis and how it translates into seats, that is harder to estimate. in the case of the snp, because we have fewer sampling points, it isjust possible we may have underestimated snp support. that said, we are pretty confident labour will end up with most seats in scotland, but it is exactly what the gap between the two parties will prove to be. i thought it is interesting angus robertson on air did not seriously dispute ourfigures. it robertson on air did not seriously dispute our figures. it sounds as though the snp are willing to accept they will not remain the largest party in scotland, but of course, that leaves the possibility for the snp to be at 15 or 18 rather than 10. who knows? that's one reason viewers should be staying up to the night, because the exit poll gives us a guide, but in the end, only the ballot boxes will tell us the truth. that's what i was going to say! that's what i was going to say! that's exactly what you have to stay

up that's exactly what you have to stay up through the night with us. as it does look like the snp will be the smallest party, suggesting they don't have a majority in scotland any more, and that their push for a second independence referendum will be significantly harder to make. john keeping us honest there, no question. but the front pages are telling their own story, even from the exit poll. the daily mail: labour set for historic landslide. and we have the scient: britain sees red. exit poll gives labour majority. —— the sun. so, the sun actually sort of coming out on endorsing keir starmer yesterday. the daily telegraph also suggesting a labour landslide. so the front pages clearly reflecting the views of that exit poll. we will show you then when we can. for some reason, they were not firing, but all the front pages so far predict a labour landslide.

0k. far predict a labour landslide. ok. daisy cooper has joined far predict a labour landslide. ok. daisy cooper hasjoined us now. she is the deputy leader of the liberal democrats. good to see you. andrea leadsom as well, standing down in south northamptonshire. but it is good to have you, and wes streeting from labour, with us. daisy, first of all, the exit poll suggests he will be up 53 seats. so, falling off pegolos, cycling at great speed down welsh hills, swimming in sewage... that all made sense? it worked? —— pedalos. it looks like we are on course for a once in a century result for the lib dems, and that is testament to the work of ed davey, who has lit up this campaign, and our positive vision and plans for how we want to save the nhs and fix social care. so, those antics got you the airtime, you believe. ed davey doing all those things that you are the time and got you a voice when it

came to trying to get your message out? did it work? it came to trying to get your message out? did it work?— out? did it work? it works, and the fact is, out? did it work? it works, and the fact is. we've _ out? did it work? it works, and the fact is, we've said _ out? did it work? it works, and the fact is, we've said time _ out? did it work? it works, and the fact is, we've said time and - out? did it work? it works, and the fact is, we've said time and again l fact is, we've said time and again that while we don't take ourselves that while we don't take ourselves that seriously, we take our politics very seriously, and with every single one of those stunts, there was a very serious message about our plans to end the scandal of raw sewage dumping, to fix the nhs, to put mental health practitioners into every school. we have talked about the nhs and social care week after week after week, and many of those stunts have helped us to do that. except if you actually look at the forecast of what we are predicting in your share, you suggest north it has not gone up at all, in the south, it has fallen by 1%, and in london stayed the same. so suggest you have benefited greatly from the tories crashing down to it, but our numbers so far don't suggest that all those pedal lows and kayaks and water slides made a big difference in persuading voters to go for your? we have a first past the post system

in this country, broken system, but the one we have. we've been very clear that for as long as we have a sister, we have to play within the rules. have you learned how to play at this time, then? that is it, and while... . , that is it, and while... that is what happened? _ that is it, and while... that is what happened? you - that is it, and while... that is what happened? you have - that is it, and while... that is - what happened? you have learned to play the game better? we've been clear for years now that our goal is to try and unseat as many conservative mps as possible, up many conservative mps as possible, up until this evening, and we have been up to second place in conservatives and seats around the country, laterfind out how conservatives and seats around the country, later find out how many have managed to unseat, but with every liberal democrat mp we have, however many there are by the end of results, every single one will be a local champion to fix our nhs and social care. how much of a rodeo thing tactical voting is playing in all of this? i it is critical for every political party. —— how much of a role do you think tactical voting is playing. there is no doubt that as long as we have this broken voting system, there will be some people who vote positively for a party, but others who vote tactically, and no doubt in

those areas where lib dems have been the key challenges to the conservatives, we did ask some people to vote tactically for us as well as to vote positively for our vision on the nhs and social care. thank you, daisy cooper. more from you later. and from andrea leadsom and wes streeting too. right now, let's show you our camp runs around the country at every single count, i believe. —— are cameras around the country. hard work of the counters, and the first result should be soon. blyth valley looks promising. sally and nag i will be fighting it out, but retre, let's turn to you. —— sally and naga. you have got some data on where the tory vote has gone wrong? yes, absolutely, but interesting facts about the labour vote as well. you can hear some analysis based on the exit poll, and what has happened to the share of the vote in seats that voted in 2019 for the conservatives versus those that voted labour. let's look at the conservative seats first. you can see the vote has plummeted here, down 28% in those seats that voted

conservative five years ago. labour up conservative five years ago. labour up by 5%, the lib dems and greens up as well. but the big winners here are the reform party, and that 18% is up on what the brexit party got last time round, 18%. so that has really, one can only assume, hurt the conservatives there, and that is what senior conservative figures have warned about in the last few weeks. let's look at the seats that went labour five years ago, and here again, big drop in conservative support, but this is the interesting thing. labour has gone back a little bit in its own seats, down by one percentage point, and who are the winner is? it is reform and the greens, so it looks as if the vote from the two big parties has actually been redistributed amongst reform and greens. so ijust wonder what wes streeting, i think you are there, what you think of this? we will wait and see what the result

actually _ we will wait and see what the result actually say. we have run a ruthlessly disciplined campaign. we knew that _ ruthlessly disciplined campaign. we knew that it wasn't good enough just to stack— knew that it wasn't good enough just to stack up _ knew that it wasn't good enough just to stack up more votes and seats we already— to stack up more votes and seats we already hold, we needed to win seats from the _ already hold, we needed to win seats from the conservatives. gone are the days when_ from the conservatives. gone are the days when the labour party leaders make _ days when the labour party leaders make excuses for poor results and pretend _ make excuses for poor results and pretend that defeat is really a victory. — pretend that defeat is really a victory, like in 2017, when you would — victory, like in 2017, when you would almost have thought it was 'ust would almost have thought it was just benevolence that led to theresa may going back into downing street because _ may going back into downing street because we didn't want a forced eviction — because we didn't want a forced eviction on _ because we didn't want a forced eviction on our hands. we lost in 2017. _ eviction on our hands. we lost in 2017. we — eviction on our hands. we lost in 2017, we lost in 2019, 2015 and 2010. _ 2017, we lost in 2019, 2015 and 2010. for— 2017, we lost in 2019, 2015 and 2010, for that matter. we are in this position today to be able to win a _ this position today to be able to win a general election because the labour— win a general election because the labour party has fundamentally changed. — labour party has fundamentally changed. we understood why we lost in 2019. _ changed. we understood why we lost in 2019. we _ changed. we understood why we lost in 2019, we listened, i mean genuinely lessened, as to why we lost support from people we should never _ lost support from people we should never have — lost support from people we should never have broken faith with. as well as— never have broken faith with. as well as rebuilding trust with those voters. _ well as rebuilding trust with those voters. we — well as rebuilding trust with those voters, we also built a big tent

that enabled millions of disaffected conservative voters to look at labour — conservative voters to look at labour and think, well, conservative voters to look at labourand think, well, i might conservative voters to look at labour and think, well, i might vote for these _ labour and think, well, i might vote for these guys. we will soon find out how— for these guys. we will soon find out how many of them actually did. this is— out how many of them actually did. this is a _ out how many of them actually did. this is a remarkable exit poll. they are not— this is a remarkable exit poll. they are not results, but in 2019 we were on the _ are not results, but in 2019 we were on the brink— are not results, but in 2019 we were on the brink of extinction and told that in_ on the brink of extinction and told that in order to get a majority of one we — that in order to get a majority of one we would need a 1997 style swing — one we would need a 1997 style swing. this exit poll shows a 1997 style _ swing. this exit poll shows a 1997 style majority. so, i will swing. this exit poll shows a 1997 style majority. so, iwill believe it when— style majority. so, iwill believe it when i— style majority. so, iwill believe it when i see it, but this is a remarkable exit poll and a testament to the _ remarkable exit poll and a testament to the change that keir starmer has lead in _ to the change that keir starmer has lead in the — to the change that keir starmer has lead in the labour party. i don't think— lead in the labour party. i don't think that — lead in the labour party. i don't think that guy has had nearly enough credit— think that guy has had nearly enough credit for— think that guy has had nearly enough credit for the steel, the determination that he has shown to really— determination that he has shown to really grab — determination that he has shown to really grab the labour party by the scruff _ really grab the labour party by the scruff of _ really grab the labour party by the scruff of the neck and force to learn — scruff of the neck and force to learn why— scruff of the neck and force to learn why we lost. ifi scruff of the neck and force to learn why we lost.— scruff of the neck and force to learn why we lost. if i 'ust 'oin bearjump fl learn why we lost. if i 'ust 'oin bearjump in. i learn why we lost. if i 'ust 'oin bearjump in, nobody h learn why we lost. if i just 'oin bearjump in, nobody is h learn why we lost. if i just join j bearjump in, nobody is taking learn why we lost. if i just join - bearjump in, nobody is taking away the things you are saying, based on

the things you are saying, based on the exit poll, but these figures do suggest not a resounding enthusiasm for the party in those seats that voted for you five years ago. well, wait and see _ voted for you five years ago. well, wait and see what _ voted for you five years ago. well, wait and see what the _ voted for you five years ago. well, wait and see what the result - voted for you five years ago. well, wait and see what the result set. | voted for you five years ago. well, wait and see what the result set. i | wait and see what the result set. i think— wait and see what the result set. i think i_ wait and see what the result set. i think i said — wait and see what the result set. i think i said on another election night _ think i said on another election night on — think i said on another election night on the bbc that keir starmer could _ night on the bbc that keir starmer could literally be on his way to buckingham palace to be made prime minister— buckingham palace to be made prime minister and pundits would be saying. — minister and pundits would be saying. it _ minister and pundits would be saying, it is still a disappointing night _ saying, it is still a disappointing night for— saying, it is still a disappointing night for labour. give me a break, i've night for labour. give me a break, i've had _ night for labour. give me a break, i've had enough of this now after four years. — i've had enough of this now after fouryears. fouryears i've had enough of this now after four years. four years ago, i've had enough of this now after fouryears. fouryears ago, i i've had enough of this now after four years. four years ago, i would never— four years. four years ago, i would never have — four years. four years ago, i would never have imagined that labour could _ never have imagined that labour could do— never have imagined that labour could do this in one term. i thought it was— could do this in one term. i thought it was impossible. i thought at best. — it was impossible. i thought at best. a — it was impossible. i thought at best, a two term project. yes, the implosion— best, a two term project. yes, the implosion of— best, a two term project. yes, the implosion of the conservatives and the snp _ implosion of the conservatives and the snp has put wind in labour sales. — the snp has put wind in labour sales. but— the snp has put wind in labour sales, but the only reason we have sales— sales, but the only reason we have sales on— sales, but the only reason we have sales on the — sales, but the only reason we have sales on the ship and the ship is shipshape — sales on the ship and the ship is shipshape is because keir starmer took the _ shipshape is because keir starmer took the vessel from the shipwreck in 2019. _ took the vessel from the shipwreck in 2019, rebuilt it and made it shipshape and seaworthy again. as you shipshape and seaworthy again. you were shipshape and seaworthy again. s you were speaking, shipshape and seaworthy again. sis you were speaking, you seem to have

a bit more excitement about what happened, ratherthan a bit more excitement about what happened, rather than your early message of saying it is an exit poll. are you ready to say you are sure that you have won?- sure that you have won? used to watch back _ sure that you have won? used to watch back the _ sure that you have won? used to watch back the 97 _ sure that you have won? used to watch back the 97 results - sure that you have won? used to watch back the 97 results and . watch back the 97 results and thought — watch back the 97 results and thought that the labour spokespeople then sounded crackers, really. when then sounded crackers, really. when the exit _ then sounded crackers, really. when the exit poll came in and they said we will— the exit poll came in and they said we will wait until we see the results. _ we will wait until we see the results. i_ we will wait until we see the results, i now know how they felt. honestly. — results, i now know how they felt. honestly. it— results, i now know how they felt. honestly, it looks and feels too good _ honestly, it looks and feels too good to— honestly, it looks and feels too good to be true. we willjudge the results _ good to be true. we willjudge the results by— good to be true. we willjudge the results by the results and not the exit polt — results by the results and not the exit poll. of course, i am delighted by the _ exit poll. of course, i am delighted by the exit — exit poll. of course, i am delighted by the exit poll! i have seen many exit polls — by the exit poll! i have seen many exit polls over the years, they don't — exit polls over the years, they don't tend _ exit polls over the years, they don't tend to look like these ones. if don't tend to look like these ones. if we _ don't tend to look like these ones. if we have — don't tend to look like these ones. if we have won this general election. _ if we have won this general election, that is historic for the labour— election, that is historic for the labour party, but even more importantly it is an opportunity for the country, to rebuild our economy, rebuild _ the country, to rebuild our economy, rebuild our— the country, to rebuild our economy, rebuild our public services and rebuild — rebuild our public services and rebuild trust in politics.- rebuild trust in politics. daisy coo er, rebuild trust in politics. daisy cooper. l— rebuild trust in politics. daisy cooper, i think— rebuild trust in politics. daisy cooper, i think you _ rebuild trust in politics. daisy cooper, i think you have - rebuild trust in politics. daisy cooper, i think you have to i rebuild trust in politics. daisy| cooper, i think you have to go rebuild trust in politics. daisy i cooper, i think you have to go in a few minutes, thank you forjoining us. we talked about the projections

for reform, seemingly a very significant result for them according to the exit poll, gaining 13 seats. their deputy leader ben habib has tweeted that this is a huge bridgehead, politically seismic, i hope we can show that to you. this is the beginning of the fightback for the nation state of the united kingdom. a very forthright and victorious message forthright and victorious message for the deputy leader ben habib. let's find out what the mood is in the camp. alex forsyth is in clacton, where the leader of the party, nigel farage, is hoping for the eighth time asking to head to westminster himself. what is the mood there?— westminster himself. what is the mood there? . , ., mood there? remarkably calm at the moment, if mood there? remarkably calm at the moment. if i — mood there? remarkably calm at the moment. if i am _ mood there? remarkably calm at the moment, if| am perfectly _ mood there? remarkably calm at the moment, if| am perfectly honest. i moment, if i am perfectly honest. it's very early in the evening. i expect the mood in reform uk is less calm, having seen the exit poll. nigel farage is having a meal

somewhere in town, my colleague tells me, we not expecting him to turn up until the early hours of the morning, that is when we are expecting the declaration. nigel farage has attempted to get a seat in westminster seven times before and failed. i suspect with all of the caveats around exit polls, particularly when it comes to smaller parties like reform uk, it would have given a huge confidence boost right the way through what was already a pretty confident reform uk campaign. ithink already a pretty confident reform uk campaign. i think a little bit later we will go from calm counting to something potentially more chaotic, and i expect the mood in reform uk right now is pretty confident. confidence that nigel farage is going to take that seat?- confidence that nigel farage is going to take that seat? well, i think this is — going to take that seat? well, i think this is his _ going to take that seat? well, i think this is his best _ going to take that seat? well, i think this is his best chance, i going to take that seat? well, i i think this is his best chance, many people think, because of the wider political picture that he has had in a seven times of standing. you have to remember that in the previous parties that nigel farage has led, for example ukip in 2015, they had a

high vote share, a million votes, but are translated to only one win in terms of seats, the seat that they won then was this one, in clacton, with the former mp douglas carswell, who defected from the conservatives, triggered a by—election, won as ukip and retained it at the general election. if you take that into account on the fact that clacton has been at the centre of the nigel farage campaign for the last few weeks, he's been here a lot with rallies out in the town, making himself very visible, it feels like it is the best chance for nigel farage to get what has proved elusive for him so far, a seatin proved elusive for him so far, a seat in westminster. for reform uk more widely, yes, it is important how many seats they get on a but also the impact of the party has in terms of the number of votes, and what that might mean for the conservatives, the damage, potentially, reform does across the country, as well as any seats they win. it country, as well as any seats they win. . ., ,

country, as well as any seats they win. _, , ., , country, as well as any seats they win. , .,, ., ._ country, as well as any seats they win. , .,, ., ., i. win. it could be worse than any of the conservatives _ win. it could be worse than any of the conservatives imagined, i win. it could be worse than any of the conservatives imagined, but i win. it could be worse than any of. the conservatives imagined, but we will see how it develops. ii the conservatives imagined, but we will see how it develops.— will see how it develops. if you are out and about, _ will see how it develops. if you are out and about, you _ will see how it develops. if you are out and about, you should - will see how it develops. if you are out and about, you should be i will see how it develops. if you are out and about, you should be at i will see how it develops. if you are i out and about, you should be at home watching us, but if you are around oxford circus and go past the glorious building of the bbc, you will see the results of the exit poll. remember, this is a first indication of what we think will happen tonight. we still haven't had a single result yet. the conservatives, down to 131 seats. labour, we are suggesting, with the exit poll, they will be on 170 seats, going up. liberal democrats, on 61. reform party on 13. potentially a good night for them. but this is only an exit poll. the snp down to ten as well. a labour landslide is the suggestion. plaid cymru on four. they are open

slightly. we go through the figures, there, with the greens, only making one game, according to the exit polls. as i say, these are still figures that have to be confirmed by a result and we have not got one yet. the suggestion is the landslide for labour of 176.— for labour of 176. there is one box left to count _ for labour of 176. there is one box left to count in _ for labour of 176. there is one box left to count in blyth _ for labour of 176. there is one box left to count in blyth and - left to count in blyth and ashington, so we might have the first result of the evening shortly. andrea leadsom, an mp who is standing down, thanks for coming in, if labour ends up with a majority of 170 and you end up crashing down by 2a1, the decision of rishi sunak to call the election now may prove to be one of the worst political mistakes in history, surely? according to the exit poll, this is a devastating night for the conservatives. i would just like to reflect _ conservatives. i would just like to reflect that it is actually a fantastic accolade for democracy in

our country— fantastic accolade for democracy in our country that we can have an election— our country that we can have an election where in 2019 it was the conservatives' and i too have a huge majority. _ conservatives' and i too have a huge majority, and potentially unassailable fifa terms. —— unassailable fifa terms. —— unassailable for two terms. a clear need _ unassailable for two terms. a clear need to— unassailable for two terms. a clear need to rethink and regroup, regain the trust _ need to rethink and regroup, regain the trust of— need to rethink and regroup, regain the trust of the people. at the same time. _ the trust of the people. at the same time. we _ the trust of the people. at the same time, we need to wait for proper results _ time, we need to wait for proper results and — time, we need to wait for proper results and notjust time, we need to wait for proper results and not just look at the exit polt — results and not just look at the exit poll. asjohn curtis said earlier. _ exit poll. asjohn curtis said earlier, there is quite a lot to be looked _ earlier, there is quite a lot to be looked at — earlier, there is quite a lot to be looked at in _ earlier, there is quite a lot to be looked at in terms of how many votes were cast. _ looked at in terms of how many votes were cast, and what the impact is on tactical— were cast, and what the impact is on tactical voting and voting for reform. _ tactical voting and voting for reform. ., . . tactical voting and voting for reform. ., ., ., , . reform. you are an experienced politician. _ reform. you are an experienced politician. you — reform. you are an experienced politician, you are _ reform. you are an experienced politician, you are in _ reform. you are an experienced politician, you are in the - reform. you are an experiencedj politician, you are in the cabinet for a long time, you know that the exit polls have a margin of error but they are very good. they show a clear picture tonight. notjust for the labour success, which you seem to be praising for what they achieved, the volatility of voters, but reform, nigel farage's outfit,

it looks like they have absolutely taken a hammer to your vote and lots of different parts of the country. has rishi sunak handled them in the wrong way? it’s has rishi sunak handled them in the wron: wa ? �* . has rishi sunak handled them in the wronawa ? h has rishi sunak handled them in the wronawa ? �*. wrong way? it's never easy when you are the prime — wrong way? it's never easy when you are the prime minister— wrong way? it's never easy when you are the prime minister to _ wrong way? it's never easy when you are the prime minister to decide i are the prime minister to decide when _ are the prime minister to decide when to— are the prime minister to decide when to call a general election. we saw that— when to call a general election. we saw that with gordon brown, back in 2010. _ saw that with gordon brown, back in 2010. when— saw that with gordon brown, back in 2010, when he was slated for not calling _ 2010, when he was slated for not calling the — 2010, when he was slated for not calling the general election and we had months and months of opposition politician _ had months and months of opposition politician saying call a general election. _ politician saying call a general election. . . politician saying call a general election. . , ., , politician saying call a general election. . , . , ., election. that is what they always do. election. that is what they always do- according _ election. that is what they always do. according to _ election. that is what they always do. according to the _ election. that is what they always do. according to the exit - election. that is what they always do. according to the exit poll, i do. according to the exit poll, reform has — do. according to the exit poll, reform has done _ do. according to the exit poll, reform has done vast - do. according to the exit poll, j reform has done vast damage do. according to the exit poll, i reform has done vast damage to do. according to the exit poll, - reform has done vast damage to the conservatives. we will find out how much _ conservatives. we will find out how much so. _ conservatives. we will find out how much so. the question was if rishi sunak— much so. the question was if rishi sunak was— much so. the question was if rishi sunak was right to call the general election. _ sunak was right to call the general election. it— sunak was right to call the general election. it is a very difficult and personal— election. it is a very difficult and personal decision for any prime minister. — personal decision for any prime minister, and he will have taken into account the potential impact of reform. _ into account the potential impact of reform, the consequences of the economy— reform, the consequences of the economy turning a corner, the fact

real wages— economy turning a corner, the fact real wages are rising, all sorts of factors— real wages are rising, all sorts of factors that he will have taken into account _ factors that he will have taken into account. it's easy in hindsight to say it— account. it's easy in hindsight to say it was— account. it's easy in hindsight to say it was a _ account. it's easy in hindsight to say it was a bad decision, but i think— say it was a bad decision, but i think these _ say it was a bad decision, but i think these are very considered decisions. _ think these are very considered decisions. . . think these are very considered decisions. , . , ., decisions. implicit in the question was the way _ decisions. implicit in the question was the way that _ decisions. implicit in the question was the way that they _ decisions. implicit in the question was the way that they handled i was the way that they handled reform, hardly went after them in the first four or five weeks of the campaign. only really got stuck in after those dreadful comments, allegedly, from one of the supposed workers for nigel farage in clacton. the kid gloves, because you are hoping, obviously, to get some of the voters that might be leaning for reform. that didn't work. it's completely backfired? irate reform. that didn't work. it's completely backfired? we will see. but, absolutely, _ completely backfired? we will see. but, absolutely, i— completely backfired? we will see. but, absolutely, iwould _ completely backfired? we will see. but, absolutely, i would accept i completely backfired? we will see. | but, absolutely, i would accept that potentially, in hindsight, you could have gone — potentially, in hindsight, you could have gone after reform much more. but the _ have gone after reform much more. but the conservatives actually have

some _ but the conservatives actually have some very — but the conservatives actually have some very strong achievements to their name. — some very strong achievements to their name, and i think, genuinely, their name, and i think, genuinely, the desire — their name, and i think, genuinely, the desire was to highlight what the conservatives in government have done _ conservatives in government have done 4— conservatives in government have done. a million more people in work, low unemployment, real wages rising, we turned _ low unemployment, real wages rising, we turned the corner and got through the covid _ we turned the corner and got through the covid pandemic. recovering fast, 'oint the covid pandemic. recovering fast, joint first— the covid pandemic. recovering fast, joint first in— the covid pandemic. recovering fast, joint first in the g7 in terms of growth — joint first in the g7 in terms of growth last month. all of the net zero achievements and so on. plus what _ zero achievements and so on. plus what we _ zero achievements and so on. plus what we considered was a very real concern _ what we considered was a very real concern about what labour will do, as continues to be the case. a very real concern — as continues to be the case. a very real concern about what labour will deal with _ real concern about what labour will deal with people's taxes. yes, maybe it was— deal with people's taxes. yes, maybe it was wrong — deal with people's taxes. yes, maybe it was wrong not to go after reform straightaway. again, all of these things— straightaway. again, all of these things are — straightaway. again, all of these things are very carefully thought through. — things are very carefully thought through, as to what is the right approach. — through, as to what is the right approach. what we wanted to do was to focus— approach. what we wanted to do was to focus on— approach. what we wanted to do was to focus on what labour would be doing _ to focus on what labour would be doing with — to focus on what labour would be doing with people's taxes. we to focus on what labour would be doing with people's taxes. we have a declaration- — doing with people's taxes. we have a declaration. acting _ doing with people's taxes. we have a declaration. acting returning - declaration. acting returning officer, i hereby _ declaration. acting returning officer, i hereby give - declaration. acting returning officer, i hereby give notice | declaration. acting returning i officer, i hereby give notice that the total— officer, i hereby give notice that the total number— officer, i hereby give notice that the total number of— officer, i hereby give notice that the total number of votes - officer, i hereby give notice that the total number of votes for. officer, i hereby give notice that. the total number of votes for each

candidate — the total number of votes for each candidate for— the total number of votes for each candidate for the _ the total number of votes for each candidate for the houghton - the total number of votes for each candidate for the houghton and i candidate for the houghton and sunderland _ candidate for the houghton and sunderland south— candidate for the houghton and sunderland south constituencyl sunderland south constituency is as follows. _ sunderland south constituency is as follows. richard _ sunderland south constituency is as follows. richard peter— sunderland south constituency is as follows. richard peter bradley, i follows. richard peter bradley, 1723. _ follows. richard peter bradley, 1723. chris _ follows. richard peter bradley, 1723. chris burnicle, _ follows. richard peter bradley, 1723. chris burnicle, 5514. - follows. richard peter bradley, 1723. chris burnicle, 5514. paul| 1723. chris burnicle, 551a. paul edgeworth. _ 1723. chris burnicle, 551a. paul edgeworth, 2219. _ 1723. chris burnicle, 551a. paul edgeworth, 2219. bridget - 1723. chris burnicle, 5514. paul- edgeworth, 2219. bridget phillipson, 18.837. _ 18,837. i cheering 18,837. - cheering and 18.837. — cheering and applause sam woods—brass 11,668. the number of rejected _ sam woods—brass 11,668. the number of rejected ballot _ sam woods—brass 11,668. the number of rejected ballot papers _ sam woods—brass 11,668. the number of rejected ballot papers was _ sam woods—brass 11,668. the number of rejected ballot papers was !0!. i of rejected ballot papers was !0!. the turnout — of rejected ballot papers was !0!. the turnout was _ of rejected ballot papers was !0!. the turnout was 5!.2%. _ of rejected ballot papers was !0!. the turnout was 5!.2%. bridget i the turnout was 5!.2%. bridget phillipson— the turnout was 5!.2%. bridget

phillipson has— the turnout was 5!.2%. bridget phillipson has been— the turnout was 5!.2%. bridget phillipson has been duly- the turnout was 5!.2%. bridgetl phillipson has been duly elected the turnout was 5!.2%. bridget i phillipson has been duly elected to serve _ phillipson has been duly elected to serve as— phillipson has been duly elected to serve as member— phillipson has been duly elected to serve as memberfor_ phillipson has been duly elected to serve as member for the _ serve as member for the constituency. _ serve as member for the constituency. ii- serve as member for the constituency. serve as member for the constituen . �* �* constituency. a delighted bridget philli son, constituency. a delighted bridget phillipson, who _ constituency. a delighted bridget phillipson, who can _ constituency. a delighted bridget phillipson, who can now- constituency. a delighted bridget phillipson, who can now expect i constituency. a delighted bridget l phillipson, who can now expect and notjust phillipson, who can now expect and not just to stay as mp phillipson, who can now expect and notjust to stay as mp at sunderland south, but to become the education secretary, having done thatjob as the shadow fauquier secretary for the shadow fauquier secretary for the last few years. she receives more than 18,000 votes, but reform have beaten the conservatives into second place. let's listen in to bridget phillipson's victory speech. the british people have spoken command of the exit poll this evening is again a guide to results across our country, as it so often is, after 1a years, the british people have chosen change. applause they have chosen labour, and they have chosen the leadership of keir starmer. today, our country, with its proud history, has chosen a

brighterfuture. the british people have decided that they believe, as labour believes, that our best days lie ahead of us. hope and unity, not decline and division. stability over chaos. a government powered by hope, by the belief that tomorrow can not just be different from today, but better. a government of service. the government with purpose. above all, to change our society for good. a government determined to build a britain where background is no barrier, no matter who your parents are or where you were born. determined to tear down the barriers to opportunity which hold back too many of our children. that is labour's purpose, and the result today speaks to the trust the british people have put in our changed labour party. and after 1a years as your labour mp in

opposition, i am so proud to be part of a party which has tonight not just when the trust of people here in houghton and sunderland south, but of the people across britain. labour will honour the trust that you have placed in us. i will honour the trust that you have placed in me. and i will work every day to deliver the promises that labour has made and the better future that we, each of us and all of us, deserve. from the bottom of my heart, thank you. applause and lastly, i want to say thank you to all of the people who have worked hard to organise and secure today's election and counted the votes this evening. you are the people who deliver our democracy, and we are gratefulfor deliver our democracy, and we are grateful for your contribution. my thanks to the fellow candidates here in houghton and sunderland south are

a good—tempered campaign, to my fantastic local labour party for your unwavering support, and to my wonderful agent les scott. thank you. bridget phillipson there, delighted, beaming away, notjust having won her seat, beaming away, notjust having won herseat, but beaming away, notjust having won her seat, but expecting now to be in the cabinet, and in her speech, she said the british people have decided. labourwill said the british people have decided. labour will return service to the people and create a country where background is no barrier. bridget phillipson very decisively saying there that labour have won the general election. we will discuss that more than just a second. yes, and labour's vote increased crees there in line with our exit poll. that is the first result we have had all night. jackie the bank teller! i think she did it! in the first mp elected into the new parliament, yes. let's talk to jacob rees—mogg, who canjoin us in north somerset. hello to you. thank you

for being with us. how would you sum up for being with us. how would you sum up the evening given the exit poll and given what looks like could be a terrible night for the conservatives? well, you have said it. it is clearly a terrible night for the conservatives. we are supposedly down at about 130 seats from having a majority of 80. there's no way of describing this as anything other than a bad night for the conservative party. where did it go wrong? where did it go wrong? where did it go wrong? i where did it go wrong? i think where did it go wrong? i think that there were issues with changing the leader, but i do think we have an increasingly presidential system, and that people vote for a prime minister rather than for an individual member of parliament. i know that is a strict constitutional position, but voters expect the prime minister they have chosen to remain the prime minister, and for it to be the voters who decide when

that person is changed, rather than it being done by a small cabal, and i'm afraid i think the conservative party took its core vote for granted, which is why you see so many people who may have voted conservative previously going after reform. so the original sin was getting rid of borisjohnson? so the original sin was getting rid of boris johnson?— so the original sin was getting rid of boris johnson? well, original sin is a very interesting _ of boris johnson? well, original sin is a very interesting theological- is a very interesting theological question which i would be very happy to discuss on another occasion... may be not tonight, jacob! not tonight, no, no, on another occasion. but yes, i think that people do vote for a leader, and that new leaders actually need an election pretty quickly. gordon brown made that mistake in not seeking his own mandate. the mandate is increasingly personal and it looks as if this is a very strong mandate for keir starmer, and actually, if that is the case, i wish him well in that, because we

want good government for this country, whoever is in high office of any individual time. the problem with criticising rishi sunak and a cabal, as you describe it, for having got rid of boris johnson, is that you spent a lot of time with steve baker, who is here not so long ago, plotting to get rid of theresa may, and she managed just about to stay in office despite your best efforts. and borisjohnson then had a very quick election after he had become prime minister to get his own mandate. but in terms of that reality... you need your own mandate. the mandate is personal. but that's exactly why rishi sunak called an election, isn't it? do you think it would have been impossible for him to win because of the kind of politician he was? i'm not entirely clear about whether or not you think he should have called an election sooner in order to have that personal mandate, or if you lost the country because you got rid of borisjohnson, because he was followed by liz truss, who backed?

i think the fundamental problem is that in this election, we were taking our base for granted, and that's always a problem. our base was peeling after reform, and we have no divine right to votes. we need to win voters at every single election. and if you take your base for granted, if you don't manage to stop the boats coming over, if you don't manage to control migration, when that's what you're voters are concerned about, they will look to other parties. i think failing to deliver on conservative core principles did us a lot of harm. could there be a return of boris johnson in some regard, that if you think removing him was the problem might him coming back be part of the solution for the tory party after this election? you will need to interview boris and ask him what his plans are. i can't act as a spokesman for him. he's a very big and powerfulfigure. as we see from nigel farage's success, as far as one can tell from the exit

polls, big figures in politics make a difference, big charismatic figures. in spite of the constitutional niceties, which i think are very important in our system of individual mps, which has strong resonance, we are nonetheless an increasingly presidential system and the charismatic individual leader is very important, and nigel seems to have shown that in this election. should nigel farage find a place in the conservative party, then, perhaps? it has been a discussion among some of your colleagues. you might have avoided disaster if you had welcomed him in earlier. well, we are where we are, the disaster does not seem to have been averted. again, you will have to ask nigel what his plans are. i think he looks for and seeks a realignment of the right of british politics, and it will be interesting to see whether or not he can achieve that. do you think you are safe in your own seat just before do you think you are safe in your own seatjust before we let you go, jacob rees—mogg? look, i see what you have said about

it on your programme earlier. i will wait and see, but the votes are being counted or at least verified as we speak, and we will know in the early hours, so as the earl of oxford and asquith used to say, wait and see. you must have an inkling, though. i wonder what is on your mind tonight. i think behind you there is a picture of winston churchill and margaret thatcher looking on. i may be incorrect, butjust spying that, is that who they are? you are quite right, so there is! i recognise mrs thatcher's head there, even from this distance! excellent! i have no inkling at this stage, other than your exit poll. well, jacob rees—mogg, thanks very much indeed forjoining us will stop of course, will bring everyone watching the results from his account later. now, andrea leadsom. should you have stayed with borisjohnson? it's an unknowable question at this

point, isn't it? i agree whatjacob rees—mogg just said, that we are increasingly presidential, and i think that is a challenge for keir starmer. he is not a presidential bid character. he is obviously done incredibly well this evening. you can't take that away from him at all, but i do think that the shine wears off very quickly, and actually, as i said at the start of the interview, we do see change much more quickly now. it's fantastic that we have an alignment kicking democracy in this country, but people do have to look to the very quick turnaround. where sir keir starmer said, we have the issues with sue gray, who did for boris, arguably, the permanent secretary, who wrote the boris partygate report, did for him. next thing we know, she is keir starmer�*s chief of staff. these are all things that come into the mix, and people will be putting a spotlight on those in the weeks and years to come. we are keen to get to counts around the country, but wes streeting, you are making faces as dame andrea is making those claims.

no offence, but i think the suitcases full of wine did for boris johnson. — suitcases full of wine did for boris johnson, the vomit on the carpet. i think— johnson, the vomit on the carpet. i think the _ johnson, the vomit on the carpet. i think the habitual lying did it for boris _ think the habitual lying did it for borisjohnson. and then think the habitual lying did it for boris johnson. and then you think the habitual lying did it for borisjohnson. and then you guys made _ borisjohnson. and then you guys made the — borisjohnson. and then you guys made the mistake of calling in liz truss. _ made the mistake of calling in liz truss. the — made the mistake of calling in liz truss, the spectacularly worst prime minister— truss, the spectacularly worst prime minister in _ truss, the spectacularly worst prime minister in modern british political history. _ minister in modern british political history, then crowned this other guy to come _ history, then crowned this other guy to come on. — history, then crowned this other guy to come on, rishi sunak, who was meant _ to come on, rishi sunak, who was meant to— to come on, rishi sunak, who was meant to clear up the mess, and it is the _ meant to clear up the mess, and it is the worst— meant to clear up the mess, and it is the worst thing you can do to a leader. _ is the worst thing you can do to a leader. you — is the worst thing you can do to a leader, you didn't back him or sack him. _ leader, you didn't back him or sack him. he _ leader, you didn't back him or sack him. he was — leader, you didn't back him or sack him. he was too weak to lead the conservative party. you've got the foxes _ conservative party. you've got the foxes in _ conservative party. you've got the foxes in the — conservative party. you've got the foxes in the henhouse of the suella braverman — foxes in the henhouse of the suella braverman wing of the conservative party— braverman wing of the conservative party actually kind of, you know, the provisional wing of reform in the provisional wing of reform in the conservative party, and what were _ the conservative party, and what were the — the conservative party, and what were the one nation tories doing? plotting _ were the one nation tories doing? plotting in — were the one nation tories doing? plotting in the corner, saying, after— plotting in the corner, saying, after the — plotting in the corner, saying, after the election, we will sort it out _ after the election, we will sort it out i'm — after the election, we will sort it out. i'm afraid the reason the conservatives have been swept out is because _ conservatives have been swept out is because it _ conservatives have been swept out is because it has been a clown show, and people — because it has been a clown show, and people are paying a heavy price for it _ and people are paying a heavy price for it the _ and people are paying a heavy price for it. the reason labour has been in a position— for it. the reason labour has been in a position to win is because we have _ in a position to win is because we have changed, and we didn't choose the unity— have changed, and we didn't choose the unity of— have changed, and we didn't choose the unity of the graveyard either after— the unity of the graveyard either after 2019. we had some fights and

some _ after 2019. we had some fights and some arguments to reconnect the labour— some arguments to reconnect the labour party with the people we lost and the _ labour party with the people we lost and the people we needed to win over to form _ and the people we needed to win over to form a _ and the people we needed to win over to form a majority. the conservative party. _ to form a majority. the conservative party. and _ to form a majority. the conservative party. and i— to form a majority. the conservative party, and i should not care about the conservative party, their problem. _ the conservative party, their problem, not mine, we have to clean up problem, not mine, we have to clean up their— problem, not mine, we have to clean uptheir .. _ problem, not mine, we have to clean up their .. just— problem, not mine, we have to clean up their ,, just like the downing street— up their ,, just like the downing street cleaners who had to clean up after boris — street cleaners who had to clean up after borisjohnson. ifeel— after borisjohnson. i feel like you are just warming up! i feel like you arejust warming up! and it is a long night. we are looking forward to it. we will go now to haslemere, which i think is going to be the account for godalming ——. and the chancellor jeremy hunt. how is it looking, darshini david? indeed, clive. good evening from the surrey hills. no stranger to drama here, where they film harry potter and james bond films, but that does notjeremy hunt's team were braced for a pretty tricky night, but the exit poll suggests he may well be

the first chancellor in modern times to lose a seat, with just a 19% chance of hanging onto it. that has led to some pretty devastated phases in his camp. but any chancellor will tell you, real life is not a spreadsheet, and jeremy hunt has been hoping to buck the national trend by focusing on his personal vote, so even though this has been a campaign about the economy, he knows that people do not feel it. even though the numbers are moving in the right direction. so when numbers came out suggesting inflation has hit targets once again, he was once again here, focusing on local issues, pounding the streets. things like the nhs, sewage, he has been focusing on that, but so has his liberal democrat rival, also a local lad and a counsellor as well. however, boundary changes should favour the conservatives, the fact that there are more candidates standing. the lib dems except it is quite difficult sometimes to get tactical voters to change their mind on the doorstep. having said all that, of course, they have

overturned convention. they're going to godalming —— first, so that means we might get a result around 3:30am, aam. in the meantime, the acting returning officer is trying to keep people going by handing out, biltong. that will keep energy levels up. we are waiting here. this could be one of the key dramas of the night. biltong?! plenty to chew over! and it sticks in your teeth as well! it did allow an amazing pine! this is true. no sitting chancellor has ever lost their sake, so that would be really interesting down there. it would be one of the huge headlines of the night, as with the fate, potentially, of iain duncan smith, the former conservative leader, who has been an mp for a long, long time as well as a cabinet minister in all sorts of different jobs, on the outskirts of east london. let's check in with emma simpson at his counts in chingford. what is the sense from the

conservative camp there. judging by that exit poll, iain duncan smith is in a pretty precarious position. he has been an mp here for more than 30 years. could he be on the way out? of course, at the last election, he reallyjust course, at the last election, he really just scraped through course, at the last election, he reallyjust scraped through with the tiniest majority as this seat has changed over the years, but one of the interesting things here is, will there be a big split in the labour vote? eight days into this campaign, the labour candidate, who fought against him and nearly won last time, was deselected and is now standing as an independent. a labour candidate was parachuted in. so labour are not celebrating just yet here. we will get the declaration about 3:15am, but if he goes, it is obviously one of the big tory guns disappearing. thanks very much. we'll check in with you later. there has been a lot of controversy

locally there, despite the huge movement we are seeing between blue to red, there might be some wrinkles and places on the ground, and that might be a seat where something interesting has happened. what are your thoughts on how the night is going so far?— night is going so far? some observations _ night is going so far? some observations from - night is going so far? some observations from listening j night is going so far? some i observations from listening to bridget phillipson and her speech, victory speech in sunderland in the last ten or 15 minutes. the first mp elected to the new parliament, a moment worth noting ahead of the flurry that will come in the small hours. we have 6a9 to go. flurry that will come in the small hours. we have 649 to go. everyone of them a fascinating _ hours. we have 649 to go. everyone of them a fascinating story. - hours. we have 649 to go. everyone of them a fascinating story. and i of them a fascinating story. and realjeopardy — of them a fascinating story. and real jeopardy for _ of them a fascinating story. si'ic realjeopardy for many people in each one of them. that struck me as a national victory as well as an mp... ~ ., ., ., a national victory as well as an mp... a s, s, s, ,_ a national victory as well as an mp... a s, ., .,,_ s, s, mp... we are going to apply for a declaration- _ mp... we are going to apply for a declaration. i'd _ mp... we are going to apply for a declaration. i'd like _ mp... we are going to apply for a declaration. i'd like to _ mp... we are going to apply for a declaration. i'd like to invite i mp... we are going to apply for a declaration. i'd like to invite the i declaration. i'd like to invite the returninu declaration. i'd like to invite the returning officer, _ declaration. i'd like to invite the returning officer, the _ declaration. i'd like to invite the returning officer, the high i declaration. i'd like to invite the | returning officer, the high sheriff of northumberland _ returning officer, the high sheriff of northumberland and - returning officer, the high sheriff. of northumberland and candidates onto the _ of northumberland and candidates onto the stage _ of northumberland and candidates onto the stage for _ of northumberland and candidates onto the stage for the _ of northumberland and candidates onto the stage for the declaration.

the candidates go up to the stage. sunderland south beat them to it. this will be the second result of the evening. in northumberland. here is the acting returning officer. best outfit of the night so far! i, the returning officer for the blyth and ashington _ the returning officer for the blyth and ashington parliamentary- and ashington parliamentary constituency _ and ashington parliamentary constituency hereby - and ashington parliamentary constituency hereby give i and ashington parliamentary. constituency hereby give notice and ashington parliamentary- constituency hereby give notice that the total— constituency hereby give notice that the total number— constituency hereby give notice that the total number of— constituency hereby give notice that the total number of votes _ constituency hereby give notice that the total number of votes given i constituency hereby give notice that the total number of votes given to l the total number of votes given to each candidate _ the total number of votes given to each candidate was _ the total number of votes given to each candidate was as _ the total number of votes given to each candidate was as follows. i the total number of votes given toj each candidate was as follows. ian lavery. _ each candidate was as follows. ian lavery. labour— each candidate was as follows. ian lavery, labour party. _ each candidate was as follows. ian lavery, labour party. 20,030. i lavery, labour party. 20,030. maureen— lavery, labour party. 20,030. maureen levy. _ lavery, labour party. 20,030. maureen levy, conservative i lavery, labour party. 20,030. i maureen levy, conservative party candidate, _ maureen levy, conservative party candidate, 6121. _ maureen levy, conservative party candidate, 6121. steve _ maureen levy, conservative party candidate, 6121. steve leyland, . maureen levy, conservative party. candidate, 6121. steve leyland, the green _ candidate, 6121. steve leyland, the

green party — candidate, 6121. steve leyland, the green party. 1960. _ candidate, 6121. steve leyland, the green party. 1960. mark— candidate, 6121. steve leyland, the green party. 1960. mark peart, - green party. 1960. mark peart, reform — green party. 1960. mark peart, reform uk~ _ green party. 1960. mark peart, reform uk. 10,857. _ green party. 1960. mark peart, reform uk. 10,857. stephen. green party. 1960. mark peart, - reform uk. 10,857. stephen anthony psallidas, _ reform uk. 10,857. stephen anthony psallidas, liberal— reform uk. 10,857. stephen anthony psallidas, liberal democrats. - reform uk. 10,857. stephen anthony psallidas, liberal democrats. 1433. l psallidas, liberal democrats. 1433. ian lavery— psallidas, liberal democrats. 1433. ian lavery is— psallidas, liberal democrats. 1433. ian lavery is duly— psallidas, liberal democrats. 1433. ian lavery is duly elected _ psallidas, liberal democrats. 1433. ian lavery is duly elected as - psallidas, liberal democrats. 1433. ian lavery is duly elected as the . ian lavery is duly elected as the member— ian lavery is duly elected as the member of— ian lavery is duly elected as the member of parliament- ian lavery is duly elected as the member of parliament for- ian lavery is duly elected as the member of parliament for the l ian lavery is duly elected as the - member of parliament for the blyth and ashington — member of parliament for the blyth and ashington constituency. - and ashington constituency. cheering _ and ashington constituency. cheering and— and ashington constituency. cheering and applause . huge round of applause for ian lavery, keeping the seat. 20,030. reform, 10,857. really quite astonishing, there. andrea leadsom,

thatis astonishing, there. andrea leadsom, that is part of the problem for the conservatives? 1 that is part of the problem for the conservatives?— that is part of the problem for the conservatives? i completely agree, it looks as though _ conservatives? i completely agree, it looks as though it _ conservatives? i completely agree, it looks as though it is _ conservatives? i completely agree, it looks as though it is reform - conservatives? i completely agree, it looks as though it is reform that | it looks as though it is reform that has caused — it looks as though it is reform that has caused a huge amount of damage. the interesting thing there, something for the conservative party to think_ something for the conservative party to think about, for all of us to think— to think about, for all of us to think about, perhaps it is that we have _ think about, perhaps it is that we have not— think about, perhaps it is that we have not been conservative enough, maybe _ have not been conservative enough, maybe we _ have not been conservative enough, maybe we have lost the trust of people — maybe we have lost the trust of people. just this evening, before i came _ people. just this evening, before i came here, — people. just this evening, before i came here, iwas in people. just this evening, before i came here, i was in the people. just this evening, before i came here, iwas in the pub people. just this evening, before i came here, i was in the pub in my locel— came here, i was in the pub in my local village, _ came here, i was in the pub in my local village, at silverstone, it is the grand — local village, at silverstone, it is the grand prix, and it was full of people _ the grand prix, and it was full of people there for that. they were saying _ people there for that. they were saying to — people there for that. they were saying to me, the trouble is that the conservatives are not normal, they are _ the conservatives are not normal, they are hot — the conservatives are not normal, they are not conservative enough. peopte _ they are not conservative enough. people have been looking to reform for that _ people have been looking to reform for that. there is an awful lot of analysis— for that. there is an awful lot of analysis we _ for that. there is an awful lot of analysis we will have to do after this _ analysis we will have to do after this. ., _ ,. analysis we will have to do after this. ., ., �* ~' this. you say you don't look like ou have this. you say you don't look like you have been _ this. you say you don't look like you have been normal, - this. you say you don't look like you have been normal, that- this. you say you don't look like you have been normal, that is. this. you say you don't look like - you have been normal, that is quite an accusation? it is a labour victory, a labour held seat, we are looking at what happened at that.

27% to the reform party. way ahead of you on 15%. the change in the share, 18% up for reform, —18 for the conservatives. it is worth remembering that part of the world is very strongly brexit bucking. you just said you didn't look like you were normal.— just said you didn't look like you were normal. ~ . . . , ., were normal. what i meant was that, specifically. — were normal. what i meant was that, specifically, what _ were normal. what i meant was that, specifically, what this _ were normal. what i meant was that, specifically, what this group - were normal. what i meant was that, specifically, what this group of - specifically, what this group of people — specifically, what this group of people were saying to me is that they are — people were saying to me is that they are sick of this woakes stuff, they are sick of this woakes stuff, they are _ they are sick of this woakes stuff, they are sick of this woakes stuff, they are sick of this woakes stuff, they are sick of trying to be more left-wing — they are sick of trying to be more left—wing than labour and they don't feel left—wing than labour and they don't feet the _ left—wing than labour and they don't feel the conservatives are being conservative enough.— feel the conservatives are being conservative enough. what do you mean by that _ conservative enough. what do you mean by that woke _ conservative enough. what do you mean by that woke stuff? - conservative enough. what do you mean by that woke stuff? you - conservative enough. what do you | mean by that woke stuff? you were going to bring back national service. in going to bring back national service. , , ., , , service. in the sense of supporting ounu service. in the sense of supporting young peeple _ service. in the sense of supporting young people to — service. in the sense of supporting young people to do _ service. in the sense of supporting young people to do something - young people to do something worthwhile to do to the community, not in _ worthwhile to do to the community, not in the _ worthwhile to do to the community, not in the sense of going around shooting — not in the sense of going around shooting people. ithink not in the sense of going around shooting people. i think that was misrepresented. normal, in terms of

being _ misrepresented. normal, in terms of being ordinary, being understanding of the _ being ordinary, being understanding of the things that voters are really concerned — of the things that voters are really concerned about, and i thinkjacob rees—mogg pointed to some of those things _ rees—mogg pointed to some of those things. people are concerned about levels _ things. people are concerned about levels of— things. people are concerned about levels of migration, people are concerned about the cost of living, people _ concerned about the cost of living, people are — concerned about the cost of living, people are concerned about some of the issues _ people are concerned about some of the issues for lack of infrastructure, head of planning, that kind — infrastructure, head of planning, that kind of thing. having been in government for 14 years, it's difficult _ government for 14 years, it's difficult to get away from being accountable for those things. it evidences that government is extremely difficult and i don't personally think that labour has the answers _ personally think that labour has the answers. but people are choosing to vote for— answers. but people are choosing to vote for reform in the hope there is another— vote for reform in the hope there is another third party out there that can have — another third party out there that can have some of those answers. a quick can have some of those answers. quick question, there will be people looking at the exit poll tonight, anticipating there will be a government with an awful lot of power, a big majority, and they will be looking to your party and others to provide a viable opposition. can

you be certain, after all of the turbulence in the conservative party in the last six or seven years, that there isn't going to be a descent into civil war in the conservative party, rendering you... making it even harder to be the viable opposition in coming months and years? opposition in coming months and ears? ., , ., opposition in coming months and ears? , . . i, . years? nobody has a crystal ball, but i years? nobody has a crystal ball, but i certainly _ years? nobody has a crystal ball, but i certainly know _ years? nobody has a crystal ball, but i certainly know that - years? nobody has a crystal ball, but i certainly know that a - years? nobody has a crystal ball, but i certainly know that a lot - years? nobody has a crystal ball, but i certainly know that a lot of. but i certainly know that a lot of my colleagues have been very concerned. we have all seen the polls _ concerned. we have all seen the polls over — concerned. we have all seen the polls over a long period of time, not moving. it's very much recognise that we _ not moving. it's very much recognise that we are _ not moving. it's very much recognise that we are going to have to regroup and rethini

think we will start to see people coming back to us.— think we will start to see people coming back to us. the promise of ruthless recriminations _ coming back to us. the promise of ruthless recriminations there, - coming back to us. the promise of i ruthless recriminations there, thank you for now. as part of those recriminations, it might come from sir robert buckland, whose seat is a classic bellwether and the conservatives are conceding defeat. let's go to professorjohn curtice. the results that we have had, are theyin the results that we have had, are they in line with the exit poll, particularly water seems to be on the surface success for reform? yes and no is the — the surface success for reform? yes and no is the answer. so the surface success for reform? 19:3 and no is the answer. so far as labour is concerned, the two point rise in blyth and seven point rise in sondland south is pretty much in line with what we expected. the rise in reform support, although substantial, it is actually a little bit less than we were expecting. conversely, the decline in conservative support is rather less. the truth is that although these are both labour seats and normally we are not expecting the conservative

vote to fall that heavily, or relatively not so heavily, these are also heavily leave areas, so we were anticipating reform would put in a strong performance and push the conservative vote down to a greater extent. we will have to wait and see. the broad message, conservative votes down heavily, reform is up a lot, and labour making a modest advance. the broad picture is there with the exit poll. it's the fine detail we have to see where we end “p detail we have to see where we end up at the end of the night.- up at the end of the night. turnout has been down, _ up at the end of the night. turnout has been down, how— up at the end of the night. turnout has been down, how much - up at the end of the night. turnout has been down, how much of- up at the end of the night. turnout has been down, how much of a - has been down, how much of a contributing factor was that? brute contributing factor was that? we don't contributing factor was that? 9 don't know if it was contributing, but there was a widespread expectation that turnout would fall, and the first two results are at least consistent with that expectation. to that extent, at least, we may discover we are heading towards one of the lower

turnout is in general elections, in post—war electoral history. that is what the polls were anticipating, it is what you would expect in an election in which the polls were suggesting it was pretty clear he was going to win, and where there wasn't that much difference, despite both parties denying it, there wasn't much difference between conservatives and labour in what they were offering the electorate. let's go tojeremy they were offering the electorate. let's go to jeremy with they were offering the electorate. let's go tojeremy with the latest calculations as they develop. it looks like it could be a really massive redrawing of the map. you have a big one there?— have a big one there? brilliantly aueued have a big one there? brilliantly queued in- _ have a big one there? brilliantly queued in. thank _ have a big one there? brilliantly queued in. thank you. - have a big one there? brilliantly queued in. thank you. here - have a big one there? brilliantly queued in. thank you. here is i have a big one there? brilliantly i queued in. thank you. here is the map. this is from last time, crucially. this is the 2019 map. you can see the wash of conservative blue, from borisjohnson's 80 seat majority. i will switch it to what the exit poll is showing, and we stress again and again, just predictions. look at the way labour

red spreads out from the urban areas, to cover so much of england. bearin areas, to cover so much of england. bear in mind a lot of the conservative seats are larger geographically. that what i am stepping on his rishi sunak�*s for example. this kind of map can give a false impression that there are more tory seats than their arm. it's interesting to see maybe reform are less strong in scotland and the conservatives here, in the south of scotland, and the middle of scotland as well. scotland and the conservatives is going to be an interesting subtext in the story of the night. let me do something that will help understand what the map is looking like, if i change every single seat and make it the same size, make them into hexagons, it shows you really clearly what we are looking at. we are back in 2019, and you can see the scale of the boris johnson victory, with so many of the blue hexagons. i will change this to the exit poll, just have a look at the exit poll, just have a look at the change here. this is 2019 still

and i am showing you the majorities. the majorities are shown by the height of the accident. the taller the hexagon, the clearer the win. an awful lot of 29 big majorities for the conservatives, particularly in the conservatives, particularly in the south of england. let's change to 2024 and look. look at those hexagons lowering. the conservative seat majority is going down, being replaced with red ones. you have portsmouth north, penny mordaunt�*s seat over there, the leader of the house of commons, gone from quite a sizeable conservative hexagon, to a red one. it's an amazing map, isn't it? when you make the constituencies all the same size, you get a real sense ofjust how much labour red is covering the uk. and you are seeing some marginal conservative seats which have been blue for a long

time, turning into safe labour. back to you. all sorts of new snazzy toys, but it shows you what might happen in vivid detail. we have had results in. chris? reform uk is quite standout, i know we have reflected on it in the last couple of minutes, sorry, i was typing something for the bbc news app. typing something for the bbc news a- -. ~ :, :, typing something for the bbc news | app-_ exactly- app. moonlighting already? exactly. those first two _ app. moonlighting already? exactly. those first two results, _ app. moonlighting already? exactly. those first two results, seeing - app. moonlighting already? exactly. those first two results, seeing howl those first two results, seeing how well reform are doing, we were reflecting a few minutes ago, these are parts of the world which significantly back to brexit. but here is a party, i'm exaggerating mildly, but it came around a week last wednesday, a new entity on the political stage, one of the standout moments of the election campaign was

nigel farage's decision to come back and be the leader of the party and be a candidate. one of the big questions was how much difference would they make. the early evidence from the exit poll and with the caveats around the smaller parties, and these first two results, they are making one heck of an impression, more than a quarter of the boat in the first two results. how that maps out through the night and particularly if reform manage a number of what we are expecting, 13, the dynamic in the house of commons with reform with about a dozen mps and a rump of a conservative party thrashing around trying to find out who it is, what it wants to be and what went wrong, that's a very interesting conversation that we are going to see, alongside a period, as it would seem, that a new labour government is taking office and getting its head around what it is going to do. getting its head around what it is going to do— going to do. thank you for that. let's have _ going to do. thank you for that. let's have that _ going to do. thank you for that. let's have that conversation -

going to do. thank you for that. | let's have that conversation right now, you are looking extremely chipper, i have to say. do you think from your own data that achieving 13 seats is something that looks realistic? , , , :, . , realistic? yes is the short answer. if that realistic? yes is the short answer. if that exit — realistic? yes is the short answer. if that exit poll _ realistic? yes is the short answer. if that exit poll is _ realistic? yes is the short answer. if that exit poll is right, _ realistic? yes is the short answer. if that exit poll is right, this - realistic? yes is the short answer. if that exit poll is right, this is - if that exit poll is right, this is an historic— if that exit poll is right, this is an historic moment, as chris said. we are _ an historic moment, as chris said. we are four— an historic moment, as chris said. we are four years old, an insurgent party, _ we are four years old, an insurgent party, this— we are four years old, an insurgent party, this came out of nowhere. i remember— party, this came out of nowhere. i remember talking to richard tice four years — remember talking to richard tice four years ago about how we were going _ four years ago about how we were going to _ four years ago about how we were going to do that. i think what you are seeing — going to do that. i think what you are seeing is, actually, the shy reform — are seeing is, actually, the shy reform is _ are seeing is, actually, the shy reform is coming out in droves. we saw this— reform is coming out in droves. we saw this with the shy brexiteers. the pollsters were caught off guard and once _ the pollsters were caught off guard and once again they have been. if that is— and once again they have been. if that is true — and once again they have been. if that is true and we get 13 seats, that is true and we get 13 seats, that is— that is true and we get 13 seats, that is extraordinary. nigel has made _ that is extraordinary. nigel has made this— that is extraordinary. nigel has made this very clear, it is the beginning _ made this very clear, it is the beginning of a much bigger movement, and it is— beginning of a much bigger movement, and it is a _ beginning of a much bigger movement, and it is a movement, from the ground — and it is a movement, from the ground up _ and it is a movement, from the ground up. chris mentioned something else, in— ground up. chris mentioned something else, in the _ ground up. chris mentioned something else, in the north—west and north—east, we are notjust taking votes _ north—east, we are notjust taking votes from — north—east, we are notjust taking votes from the conservatives but from _ votes from the conservatives but from labour as well. people say the country _ from labour as well. people say the country is _

from labour as well. people say the country is broken and they want it baci

many people watching will think, actually, what they saw from reform, aside from people like you and people like nigel farage coming out and giving interviews publicly, what many people will have seen is a revelation almost daily of truly vile and offensive remarks and views that have been shared by a significant number of your candidates, some of which were condemned very quickly by the party's leadership. some of those people were still allowed to run as candidates despite having expressed things that were really offensive to many people in this country. let's be clear, it's a minority of those people. we had really strict vetting procedures and play. but they don't seem to work pretty well. over the last four years, we have been vetting candidates really thoroughly. we paid a company a lot of money to bet those candidates. they let us down. but also, when the prime minister called the election, it caught us on the hop slightly. it caught the conservatives very much on the hop, but then we had to

expedite the process. we have gone from nothing to fielding 620 candidates, and we have said, and i have been very clear about this, we will not tolerate homophobia, islamophobia, anti—semitic behaviour or anything like that, and if any of us find out that that is the case, they are out. but why do you think that kind of unsavoury character is so attracted to reform? what is it about reform? i think it is in every party. look, there were 20 in the green party, work there, accused of anti—semitic abuse. so it is in every party. the conservative party has a similar problem to a lesser extent. but not after they were formally nominated. but remember, we are also four years old, so we had to literally sprint to get those candidates. anyone who looks at the rise of reform will see that actually, what we are doing is breaking political history. i have said this before. everyone said in that brexit result, we will not do it. we have changed history, and we are about to change it once again. do you know where you're13 seats, if you get that far, will be? you

hinted earlier you are packing up everywhere, but do you have a clear view of where you are likely to take? i don't want to bet on it, but clacton, i hope with nigel. i hope richard tice. great yarmouth would be a good bet. ben habib in wellingborough. i'm standing in a seat with the majority of 23,000 which should be a safe seat. i'm against nick timothy, theresa may's cheap of staff. matt hancock had that seat in the height of the covid pandemic. that hasn't played well. i think it's about local candidates with local issues. is there a personal vote there as well? i don't know. we will find out mid—morning. thank you for now. thank you for now. thank you. and andrea leadsom, you will be leaving us quite soon. i just wonder, we have talked about reform. they seem to be doing the most damage in some of the seats that you are likely to lose, according to the exit poll. was

there enough of an attempt at the beginning of this campaign to try to win over their supporters? so, obviously the exit polls suggest not, so, obviously the exit polls suggest not. and _ so, obviously the exit polls suggest not, and we will be careful to analyse — not, and we will be careful to analyse that at the end of the night, — analyse that at the end of the night, but at the same time, there is no _ night, but at the same time, there is no doubt — night, but at the same time, there is no doubt that the reform party has been — is no doubt that the reform party has been a — is no doubt that the reform party has been a party of protest against people _ has been a party of protest against people not being conservative enough — people not being conservative enough. i have had a lot of people saying _ enough. i have had a lot of people saying to — enough. i have had a lot of people saying to me, join the reform party! i am saying to me, join the reform party! i am a _ saying to me, join the reform party! i am a conservative voter and i want you to _ i am a conservative voter and i want you tojoin _ i am a conservative voter and i want you tojoin reform. that makes it a protest. _ you tojoin reform. that makes it a protest. and — you tojoin reform. that makes it a protest, and we have already heard it has _ protest, and we have already heard it has only — protest, and we have already heard it has only been around for a short amount— it has only been around for a short amount of— it has only been around for a short amount of time. that is ready happen, — amount of time. that is ready happen, and it's been a great result for them, _ happen, and it's been a great result for them, according to the exit poll. _ for them, according to the exit poll. the — for them, according to the exit poll, the terrible night for the conservatives, but it means we need to regroup, — conservatives, but it means we need to regroup, rethink, regain the trust _ to regroup, rethink, regain the trust of— to regroup, rethink, regain the trust of the population in order to come _ trust of the population in order to come back— trust of the population in order to come back fighting next time around. thank— come back fighting next time around. thank you _ come back fighting next time around. thank you very much indeed. relieve just down rather than having to go through all this? devastated! you knew this was going to happen?

not necessarily. my passion is early years. _ not necessarily. my passion is early years. as _ not necessarily. my passion is early years, as you know, they want to go and do _ years, as you know, they want to go and do that— years, as you know, they want to go and do that before i am too old. not a _ and do that before i am too old. not a bit — and do that before i am too old. not a bit of— and do that before i am too old. not a bit of it! thanks for coming in. we are going to go back to the we are going to go back to the north—east, where we had two results this evening, blyton and houghton and sunderland south. naga munchetty and sunderland south. naga munchetty and sally nugent are standing by. i'm sorry, naga, it was jackie from the bank who did it for sunderland! they got in their first! i heard sally say that was their secret weapon, and there were lots of indications here at blyth and ashington that we were just about to declare a few minutes ago, and then it kind of went quiet. sally and i were messaging each other, actually, going, who do you think it is going to be? but we had our declaration, one of the four constituencies here that are having results. ian leiva reform labour winning, as you have

discussed. interesting that —— ian lavery of labourer coming in highly. interestingly there, the candidate there did not win, but her husband ian leavy, also up the conservatives is also waiting for his declaration in cramlington and killingworth, which will happen around 12:45am. so we are waiting for more results here, but yes, sally one, sunderland one. congratulations, sunderland! sally, 1—0 over nag! it sounds as if it was jackie from the bank who did the damage. what won it! i tell you thing else about this county— i tell you thing else about this county and it was quite interesting.

i county and it was quite interesting. i think— county and it was quite interesting. i think they— county and it was quite interesting. i think they quite liked being the underdog tonight. i think they wanted — underdog tonight. i think they wanted to take back the crown of being _ wanted to take back the crown of being the — wanted to take back the crown of being the first count to declare, that there — being the first count to declare, that there was a quiet confidence, a little bit _ that there was a quiet confidence, a little bit of— that there was a quiet confidence, a little bit of "underestimate us at our peril"~ — little bit of "underestimate us at our peril". jackie and the bank who had been _ our peril". jackie and the bank who had been there as the a team all those _ had been there as the a team all those years ago and had all those years— those years ago and had all those years of— those years ago and had all those years of experience of getting the result— years of experience of getting the result out — years of experience of getting the result out quickly, of course they did the _ result out quickly, of course they did the job — result out quickly, of course they did thejob. i result out quickly, of course they did the job. i was going to make some _ did the job. i was going to make some kind — did the job. i was going to make some kind ofjoke about sunderland and football and getting used to not winning, _ and football and getting used to not winning, but i can't now, because they— winning, but i can't now, because they won! — they won! you are smiling gamely, they won! — you are smiling gamely, naga, which is good to see. 0k, is good to see. ok, sally, naga, in blyth and sunderland south, thank you. you see, that is friendly rivalry! i'm afraid elections aren't always about that. some of the battles are absolutely as bruising as they come. i was going to say, peter mandelson just picked me up on my

pronunciation of houghton. hooton? :, :, pronunciation of houghton. hooton?_ chris? | pronunciation of houghton. | hooton?_ chris? i pronunciation of houghton. - hooton?_ chris? i think pronunciation of houghton. - hooton?_ chris? | think it hooton? houghton. chris? ithink it is hooton. thank— hooton? houghton. chris? ithink it is hooton. thank you! _ hooton? houghton. chris? ithink it is hooton. thank you! i— hooton? houghton. chris? ithink it is hooton. thank you! i started - hooton? houghton. chris? ithink it is hooton. thank you! i started myl is hooton. thank you! i started my career there. _ is hooton. thank you! i started my career there, and _ is hooton. thank you! i started my career there, and on _ is hooton. thank you! i started my career there, and on day _ is hooton. thank you! i started my career there, and on day one, - is hooton. thank you! i started myj career there, and on day one, they taught— career there, and on day one, they taught us— career there, and on day one, they taught us how to pronounce that! well, _ taught us how to pronounce that! well, the — taught us how to pronounce that! well, the vote of that place had come out at about 4am! it is not midnight yet! we have serious business, because reeta, we have mentioned analysis in the north—east was coming from areas which were strongly leave backing, and you have worked out what has been going on in terms of the difference between leave and remain seats? absolutely, and given the conversation you were just having with dame andrea leadsom as well about what sort of damage reform might have done to the conservatives. so this is based on the exit poll information we have. we have done some analysis of what we think has happened to the vote share of each of the parties compared to 2019. in remain seats,

you can see the conservative share of the vote is going down everywhere, down 15% there, labour up everywhere, down 15% there, labour up 4%, lib dems flatlining. reform up up 4%, lib dems flatlining. reform up 9%, greens up 6% in remain seats. compare that to leave seats. conservatives down very sharply. 28% compared to 2019. labour and lib dems a little bit. reform up 18%, and the greens also up 5%. but look at that, and one wonders whether that big rise in the reform vote in those seats that voted to leave the european union, whether that is because people feel that they have not got the dividend that they were expecting from the conservatives, and whether that has hurt them in those sorts of seats. i suspect that is something we will be discussing in the hours, days and weeks to come. laura. thanks very much, reeta. isn't it interesting, because that was the over divide in 2016, but that was a long time ago. so we will

be looking for all patterns in the weeks ahead. we will go to welwyn, and the defence secretary grant shapps, his seat, of course, and our exit poll suggested he had a 6% chance of hanging on to his seat. how are the tory camp feeling there? i havejust tory camp feeling there? i have just had a tory camp feeling there? i havejust had a message tory camp feeling there? i have just had a message from someone close to grant shapps and it reads, underdog but alive. so i think the shapps camp is remaining optimistic but realistic, because it would be a hill to climb for grant shapps to retain his seat, one he has held since 2005, and the majority of around 11,000 last time. the labour camp here aren't really giving much away, clive. they are just saying they have had a good polling day and that we should wait until around 3:30am when the result is called. it is also worth mentioning the exit poll put reform

in third place here, and reform have been saying that they are feeling positive here as well. of course, you may remember it was a certain defence secretary in 1997 that delivered one of those election night moments. could this current defence secretary deliver another one today? 0k, one today? ok, rajini, thank you. and we will have a brief word with peter mandelson, who is still here with us in the studio. in terms of what we have seen tonight, and a reminder, the exit polls predicting a labour majority abandon 70, and yet the candidate from reform was telling us very clearly that reform has taken telling us very clearly that reform has ta ken votes telling us very clearly that reform has taken votes from labour as well? yes, and i'm not surprised by that, because although there are views and opinions of a nationalist and populist kind growing on the right of british politics, i don't think anything like the number of voters who have supported reform uk could

be described as nationalist, populist or right—wing. they are looking for a very handy protest party to support because they are furious with the conservatives, and i have lost count of the number of people who have told me, and indeed i have knocked on doors myself and found voters saying, ijust cannot decide. i hate the tories, there is no way i am going to vote for the conservative candidate, but they can't yet make up my mind who to protest with, either labour or reform, so they are not guided by some ideology, they are not racists, they are not anti—semites, they are people who are looking for a handy protest vote, either labour or reform will stop some have gone, the bulk of them, of course, have gone into labour. some inevitably have gone to reform. why did they not go to you, then? most of them have. but they are not a party that

existed in that kind of force a few years ago, so why do you think you were not able to get them across? they have existed for some time in various guises with different names, and of course, nigel himself, nigel farage is the sort of running thread through all this. now, at the core of reform uk, there are a whole number of extremely unpleasant people with views that would be rejected by the overwhelming mass of the british people, but those views held by those people at the heart of reform uk are not known to the general public. the general public are looking for parties to back, or candidates to support in order to lash out against the conservatives, and reform have been the beneficiary. with the greatest respect, that is absolute — with the greatest respect, that is absolute nonsense. we with the greatest respect, that is absolute nonsense.— with the greatest respect, that is absolute nonsense. we have seen your candidates. let me finish, please. we _ let me finish, please. we have seen your candidates. there are a very small number of

candidates, — there are a very small number of candidates, and we have removed and dealt with— candidates, and we have removed and dealt with them. let me just make one thing — dealt with them. let me just make one thing clear, which is that we stood _ one thing clear, which is that we stood down, we gave borisjohnson an 80 seat _ stood down, we gave borisjohnson an 80 seat majority, because he said he was going _ 80 seat majority, because he said he was going to get brexit done. he did not get _ was going to get brexit done. he did not get brexit done. we have put a border— not get brexit done. we have put a border in _ not get brexit done. we have put a border in the irish sea, we have annexed — border in the irish sea, we have annexed the united kingdom, we have annexed _ annexed the united kingdom, we have annexed northern ireland. that is unacceptable. tell me another country— unacceptable. tell me another country that goes round purposefully and axing _ country that goes round purposefully and axing part of its own territory? i and axing part of its own territory? ithink— and axing part of its own territory? i think it's — and axing part of its own territory? i think it's unacceptable. and actually, _ i think it's unacceptable. and actually, what people want around the country, they see labour, you're going _ the country, they see labour, you're going to _ the country, they see labour, you're going to put — the country, they see labour, you're going to put taxes up enormously by £15 billion, _ going to put taxes up enormously by £15 billion, it seems, and people are against that. they want low tax, low regulation and high growth, that's— low regulation and high growth, that's what we offer. i'm _ that's what we offer. i'm not— that's what we offer. i'm not sure people voted reform because they want less protection and more exposure to market forces, quite honestly. people voted for reform because they are patriotic. nor people voted for reform because they are patriotic-— are patriotic. nor do i think people voted for reform _ are patriotic. nor do i think people voted for reform because - are patriotic. nor do i think people voted for reform because they - voted for reform because they objected to some notional border down the irish sea. i think you are living in a fantasy land, with respect. of course people have voted for an

insurgent party, but i would not describe this as a popular insurgency, and i would not flatter nigel farage by describing reform uk as a movement. how do you hang those voters now, that were disgruntled, some whom have come back to the labour fold, voted conservative in 2019, how do you hang onto them, given that you have signed up to the fiscal rules of the conservatives? how do you hang onto them when you have decided that you are going to get debt down in relation to gdp by 2028? you haven't got any money and you are not going to borrow, you made that clear. how are you going to give these people help that have moved towards you?— towards you? let's not rehearse all ofthe towards you? let's not rehearse all of the arguments _ towards you? let's not rehearse all of the arguments of _ towards you? let's not rehearse all of the arguments of the _ towards you? let's not rehearse all of the arguments of the election i of the arguments of the election campaign, you make an important point, however. we not only want to

hang on those who voted for us in the election, we want to win over the election, we want to win over the people who voted for reform uk. we want to demonstrate that we are a party of all the people. notjust people who live in inner cities that have college degrees, who are young and have reasonably well—paid positions in good professions. we want to retain and win the votes of nongraduates, noncollege levers, people who work in the everyday economy and feel quite disrespected and quite disempowered. that is something that has grown over a number of years. it's something my party has to understand, come to terms with and engage with, and make sure we are delivering. lanthem terms with and engage with, and make sure we are delivering.— sure we are delivering. when you go around the country, _ sure we are delivering. when you go around the country, people - sure we are delivering. when you go around the country, people see - around the country, people see labour— around the country, people see labour as— around the country, people see labour as a metropolitan party for people _ labour as a metropolitan party for people in— labour as a metropolitan party for people in islington. it does not represent _ people in islington. it does not represent people in the north, does

not represent their views and values — not represent their views and values. that is what reform uk does. how do _ values. that is what reform uk does. how do you _ values. that is what reform uk does. how do you account for all of the seats we have won in the north—east and north—west going on? for a seats we have won in the north-east and north-west going on?— and north-west going on? for a new .a l and north-west going on? for a new -a , let and north-west going on? for a new party. let me _ and north-west going on? for a new party. let me make _ and north-west going on? for a new party, let me make it _ and north-west going on? for a new party, let me make it clear, - and north-west going on? for a new party, let me make it clear, we - and north-west going on? for a new party, let me make it clear, we are l party, let me make it clear, we are a new— party, let me make it clear, we are a new party, — party, let me make it clear, we are a new party, completely new, new structures, — a new party, completely new, new structures, and we have done extremely, if that poll is right, that may— extremely, if that poll is right, that may not be right, if it is right— that may not be right, if it is right we _ that may not be right, if it is right we have done extremely well. what _ right we have done extremely well. what are _ right we have done extremely well. what are you going to do with regards — what are you going to do with regards to the european union? you will take _ regards to the european union? you will take us— regards to the european union? you will take us closer to europe and that is— will take us closer to europe and that is not— will take us closer to europe and that is not what people want. we have a that is not what people want. 9 have a declaration coming on, let's listen to what is happening in sunderland central. 1. listen to what is happening in sunderland central.— listen to what is happening in sunderland central. i, the acting returnin: sunderland central. i, the acting returning officer, _ sunderland central. i, the acting returning officer, hereby - sunderland central. i, the acting returning officer, hereby give . returning officer, hereby give notice — returning officer, hereby give notice that _ returning officer, hereby give notice that the _ returning officer, hereby give notice that the total - returning officer, hereby give notice that the total numberi returning officer, hereby give i notice that the total number of votes _ notice that the total number of votes for— notice that the total number of votes for each _ notice that the total number of votes for each candidate - notice that the total number of votes for each candidate for. notice that the total number of| votes for each candidate for the sunderland _ votes for each candidate for the sunderland central— votes for each candidate for the| sunderland central constituency votes for each candidate for the . sunderland central constituency is as follows — sunderland central constituency is as follows. louis _ sunderland central constituency is as follows. louis malcolm - sunderland central constituency is l as follows. louis malcolm atkinson, 16,852 _ 16,852. i cheering 16,852. - cheering and 16,852. — cheering and applause

chris eynon, 7779. rachel featherstone, _ chris eynon, 7779. rachel featherstone, 2093. - chris eynon, 7779. rachel| featherstone, 2093. niall chris eynon, 7779. rachel- featherstone, 2093. niall dane hodson— featherstone, 2093. niall dane hodson 6301 _ featherstone, 2093. niall dane hodson 6302. gregory- featherstone, 2093. niall dane| hodson 6302. gregory peacock, featherstone, 2093. niall dane - hodson 6302. gregory peacock, 5731. the number— hodson 6302. gregory peacock, 5731. the number of— hodson 6302. gregory peacock, 5731. the number of rejected _ hodson 6302. gregory peacock, 5731. the number of rejected ballot - hodson 6302. gregory peacock, 5731. the number of rejected ballot papers| the number of rejected ballot papers was 99 _ the number of rejected ballot papers was 99 the — the number of rejected ballot papers was 99. the turnout _ the number of rejected ballot papers was 99. the turnout is _ the number of rejected ballot papers was 99. the turnout is 52.6%. - the number of rejected ballot papers was 99. the turnout is 52.6%. lewis| was 99. the turnout is 52.6%. lewis malcolm _ was 99. the turnout is 52.6%. lewis malcolm atkinson _ was 99. the turnout is 52.6%. lewis malcolm atkinson has _ was 99. the turnout is 52.6%. lewis malcolm atkinson has been - was 99. the turnout is 52.6%. lewis malcolm atkinson has been duly- malcolm atkinson has been duly elected — malcolm atkinson has been duly elected to— malcolm atkinson has been duly elected to serve _ malcolm atkinson has been duly elected to serve as _ malcolm atkinson has been duly elected to serve as member- malcolm atkinson has been duly elected to serve as member fori malcolm atkinson has been duly. elected to serve as member for the said constituency. _ elected to serve as member for the said constituency. fi— elected to serve as member for the said constituency.— said constituency. a beaming lewis atkinson, said constituency. a beaming lewis atkinson. the _ said constituency. a beaming lewis atkinson, the nhs _ said constituency. a beaming lewis atkinson, the nhs manager- said constituency. a beaming lewis atkinson, the nhs manager who i said constituency. a beaming lewis. atkinson, the nhs manager who has won the seat for labour, but, again, we see the fascinating state of the race there, reform notjust beating the conservatives into second place,

but almost getting twice as many votes. leaving labour with a majority of 6073. no surprise whatsoever that it is a labour hold, but fascinating and worrying for conservatives to see reform in second place. a low turnout, if each of the first two declarations we brought you. let's look at the share. you have labourflatlining, reform 15 points. conservatives down 21. there you go. that is what is happening so far. early days, no question. reform are eating into the conservative share of the vote. and look at the swing from labour to reform. 7.7%. we are hearing from the numbers that there is a 91% chance that reform might take your old patch, the constituency of hartlepool. if hartlepool is won by the reform party, how would that

feel for you? 1 the reform party, how would that feelforyou?_ the reform party, how would that feelfor ou? :, , feel for you? i would feel extremely bad and very — feel for you? i would feel extremely bad and very disappointed. - feel for you? i would feel extremely bad and very disappointed. i - feel for you? i would feel extremely bad and very disappointed. i would l bad and very disappointed. i would be surprised if it happens. 1 bad and very disappointed. i would be surprised if it happens.- be surprised if it happens. i think ou are be surprised if it happens. i think you are about _ be surprised if it happens. i think you are about to _ be surprised if it happens. i think you are about to be _ be surprised if it happens. i think you are about to be surprised. i i you are about to be surprised. i have _ you are about to be surprised. i have been— you are about to be surprised. i have been to hartlepool, i have campaigned in hartlepool. when you knock— campaigned in hartlepool. when you knock on _ campaigned in hartlepool. when you knock on doors, people say they are sick and _ knock on doors, people say they are sick and tired of the two main parties — sick and tired of the two main parties that don't represent them, in terms _ parties that don't represent them, in terms of— parties that don't represent them, in terms of the offering offering forwards, — in terms of the offering offering forwards, does not represent the people _ forwards, does not represent the people of— forwards, does not represent the people of hartlepool and does not represent the people of clacton either~ — represent the people of clacton either i— represent the people of clacton either. i think this is very much a peoples — either. i think this is very much a peoples revolt. you can call it a protest — peoples revolt. you can call it a protest vote if you want, but it's not, _ protest vote if you want, but it's not. it's — protest vote if you want, but it's not. it's an _ protest vote if you want, but it's not, it's an uprising. it's saying to the — not, it's an uprising. it's saying to the political parties that enough is enough — to the political parties that enough is enough. i to the political parties that enough is enou:h. ., :, ~ to the political parties that enough is enou:h. ., . ~ :, to the political parties that enough is enourh. . ~' :, . to the political parties that enough is enou:h. . ~ :, . . is enough. i was talking to a labour activist before _ is enough. i was talking to a labour activist before i _ is enough. i was talking to a labour activist before i came _ is enough. i was talking to a labour activist before i came on _ is enough. i was talking to a labour activist before i came on air, - is enough. i was talking to a labour activist before i came on air, he - activist before i came on air, he was saying on the doorstep, the response was very much you are all the same. in that kind of atmosphere, it will be the insurgent party, potentially, that gets the nod. 1 party, potentially, that gets the nod. ~' , :, , party, potentially, that gets the nod. ,, , :,

nod. i think people of the last ten ears, in nod. i think people of the last ten years. in all— nod. i think people of the last ten years, in all parts _ nod. i think people of the last ten years, in all parts of— nod. i think people of the last ten years, in all parts of the - nod. i think people of the last ten years, in all parts of the country, | years, in all parts of the country, have almost literally have the hope beaten out of them and their trust in the whole political system beaten out of them by one disaster after another. the country feels so broken. it is hardly surprising that people are very, very angry. now what the labour party has to do, to form a government, as your exit poll suggests, is prove them wrong. that they can see hope restored in the future of the country and they can see a political system which is working for them. and that is the great challenge for an incoming labour government.— great challenge for an incoming labour government. thank you both ve much labour government. thank you both very much indeed. _ labour government. thank you both very much indeed. let's _ labour government. thank you both very much indeed. let's remind - labour government. thank you both very much indeed. let's remind you| very much indeed. let's remind you of what the exit poll predicts. an enormous labour majority 410 seats, up enormous labour majority 410 seats, up significantly. the conservatives are crashing down to 131 seats. that is the forecast. will one of them be the seat of penny mordaunt, who has

been leader of the house of commons? she has been the mp in portsmouth north. mark easton is there. are you seeing glum faces or relief in penny mordaunt to's camp? mast seeing glum faces or relief in penny mordaunt to's camp?— mordaunt to's camp? most of the candidates are _ mordaunt to's camp? most of the candidates are here. _ mordaunt to's camp? most of the candidates are here. penny - mordaunt to's camp? most of the - candidates are here. penny mordaunt is not here. we are told she might not turn up until very close to the declaration, which is expected at around 3.30 this morning. incredibly busy, counting going on right now. this would be, i think, busy, counting going on right now. this would be, ithink, a busy, counting going on right now. this would be, i think, a very significant shock if penny mordaunt was to lose. i saw significant shock if penny mordaunt was to lose. i saneremy vine earlier saying it was a blue hexagram that was going to go red. the exit poll says that it is too close to call. at the same time, it says penny mordaunt has a 25% chance of holding on here. the swing required for her to lose, if you just look at poor rita labour, it would be 17.2%. but the chatter in

this room is that what we are seeing here is a big increase in the reform vote, just as you have been talking about all evening. some people are suggesting we might have 25% reform vote in portsmouth north, which would perhaps be the explanation for why portsmouth guildhall is going to see one of the big shocks of the election. : see one of the big shocks of the election. . ,:, : see one of the big shocks of the election. . : , , . election. thanks so much. give us a wave if penny _ election. thanks so much. give us a wave if penny mordaunt _ election. thanks so much. give us a wave if penny mordaunt turns - election. thanks so much. give us a wave if penny mordaunt turns up . election. thanks so much. give us a wave if penny mordaunt turns up at| wave if penny mordaunt turns up at the counter. let's see what happens there. three seats declared so far. three labour winds. so far, so normal. at the turnout has been low and the story is reform. their share of the vote is going up in those three counts so far. that's not going to be an issue in northern ireland, we arejoined by

going to be an issue in northern ireland, we are joined by andrea going to be an issue in northern ireland, we arejoined by andrea in belfast. paint a picture of the scene where you are.- belfast. paint a picture of the scene where you are. very different in belfast because _ scene where you are. very different in belfast because the _ scene where you are. very different in belfast because the people - scene where you are. very different in belfast because the people of. in belfast because the people of belfast in northern ireland to vote for northern irish parties. traditionally, the dup over the last 20 years has been the party that has been the biggest northern irish party in westminster. it is the party in westminster. it is the party under the most pressure tonight, because there is a chance that could change. there has always been either the dup or another unionist party having the most seats at westminster. the dup have had a really torrid time of it recently. at easter, sirjeffrey donaldson, who was the leader, was charged with historic sex offences, that he denies. he resigned, his seat is vulnerable. even more importantly, behind me, belfast east is being counted, the new leader's seat, gavin robinson. that is a really tight race against another leader,

the leader of the alliance party, naomi long. you have two party leaders injust one naomi long. you have two party leaders in just one seat at westminster. that will be a really tight race tonight. an easier night here for sinn fein, the other major party. they had seven seats at the last election. it looks like they are going to hold all seven seats. although one is very tight. if they hold all seven seats on the dup lose a couple, then sinn fein could be the biggest single party from northern ireland at westminster. it would be the first time ever that the nationalists have held that position, that a nationalist party held that position. it would be a significant milestone and could happen tonight. significant milestone and could happen tonight-— happen tonight. that will be fascinating. _ happen tonight. that will be fascinating. thank _ happen tonight. that will be fascinating. thank you - happen tonight. that will be fascinating. thank you for i happen tonight. that will be i fascinating. thank you for that. history will be made tonight, potentially in all sorts of ways. let's go to james cook, in glasgow. we have talked about the suggestion from the exit poll that the snp might crash down to ten seats at westminster, which would be an absolutely phenomenal result for

scottish labour. what is the mood in the various camps?— scottish labour. what is the mood in the various camps? good evening, or aood the various camps? good evening, or good morning. _ the various camps? good evening, or good morning. it _ the various camps? good evening, or good morning, it is _ the various camps? good evening, or good morning, it is the _ the various camps? good evening, or good morning, it is the morning. it . good morning, it is the morning. it is after midnight. time is flying. we do not have any hard facts from scotland yet. you are right, the exit poll would be an enormous blow for the scottish national party. the labour party would be delighted if that were proved correct. there is some doubt on both sides about whether that exact scale of victory is likely to be the case. sirjohn curtis has been pointing that out, there is a caveat relating to that. looking at the bigger picture, both the snp and labour are accepting this is labour's night, that labour are roaring back in scotland. they

had one mp at the last election in scotland. and they ruled this land, effectively, i don't mean they literally ruled it, but they were in charge, they were the biggest party from 1959 in every general election through to 2010. a decade or so ago, around the time of the independence referendum, scottish politics, as you know very well, was completely scrambled. and it remained scrambled. and it remained scrambled. what is interesting is, why has there been such a surge in support for labour? loss of the voters i have been talking to travelling around the country have been saying that one, they want to get the tories out, they don't think they are doing a good job, i'm generalising, of course. two, they are not delighted with the performance of the snp, they are concerned about some of the other things going on with the party in terms of a police investigation into finances and so on. but three, have i heard massive enthusiasm for labour from voters? i heard massive enthusiasm for labourfrom voters? not i heard massive enthusiasm for labour from voters? not necessarily. it will pose a challenge, to prove

that the labour party can deliver meaningful change for the people of scotland. the key thing to remember, 45%, the last general election, the snp won 45% of the vote. in the independence referendum in 2014, voting for independence were 45% of the electorate that wrote it. what we have seen this time, we don't know the share for the snp in the selection, but it seems likely what we are seeing is evidence at the ballot box of a detachment between support for the snp and support for independence, which remains around about a 45% mark, according to some polls. of course, this will not be, if the result is as we expect, the mandate for negotiations on a second referendum thatjohn swinney, the new snp leader, suggested it might be, and certainly hoped it would be, but it does not mean the issue is completely gone away. it does mean that there is no obvious vehicle for

supporters of independence to jump on at this moment to deliver what they ultimately want to see for scotland. , : , they ultimately want to see for scotland. , . , :, :, ~' they ultimately want to see for scotland. , . , , ., :, scotland. james cook in glasgow, thank ou scotland. james cook in glasgow, thank you very — scotland. james cook in glasgow, thank you very much _ scotland. james cook in glasgow, thank you very much indeed. i scotland. james cook in glasgow, thank you very much indeed. so i scotland. james cook in glasgow, i thank you very much indeed. so many implications for the result as they come in. the biggest application at this stage is that keir starmer is heavily on track to become the next prime minister. partly because there may be labour gains in scotland, but also potentially in wales, may be making games where you are, how will —— particularly in the north? it was a tory story taking 14 of the 21 seats, but tonight we are on a warts. essentially, using that exit poll it may be that the tories are down to one single seat. and that comes with lots of caveat, not least

the fact that it is not a tory candidate fighting for it, it is montgomery shah and linda, the candidate there, craig williams, suspended by the party, rare candidate there, craig williams, suspended by the party, we have got a declaration — suspended by the party, we have got a declaration coming _ suspended by the party, we have got a declaration coming up. _ suspended by the party, we have got a declaration coming up. swindon, i a declaration coming up. swindon, toniuht we a declaration coming up. swindon, tonight we get _ a declaration coming up. swindon, tonight we get our— a declaration coming up. swindon, tonight we get our future - a declaration coming up. swindon, tonight we get our future back, i a declaration coming up. swindon, tonight we get our future back, to | tonight we get our future back, to we voted — tonight we get our future back, to we voted for change, a change labour party who _ we voted for change, a change labour party who will change our country for the _ party who will change our country for the better. after 14 long years of conservative government, change is coming _ of conservative government, change is coming. this is the moment we press _ is coming. this is the moment we press the — is coming. this is the moment we press the reset button for the country — press the reset button for the country. to get our economy firing on all— country. to get our economy firing on all cylinders, to invest in our schools— on all cylinders, to invest in our schools and _ on all cylinders, to invest in our schools and nhs, to restore honesty, decency— schools and nhs, to restore honesty, decency and _ schools and nhs, to restore honesty, decency and integrity to politics. nowr _ decency and integrity to politics. now. as — decency and integrity to politics. now, as some of you may know, i am a

swindon— now, as some of you may know, i am a swindon girl, _ now, as some of you may know, i am a swindon girl, born and bred, and i can tell— swindon girl, born and bred, and i can tell you — swindon girl, born and bred, and i can tell you this. i am on a mission, _ can tell you this. i am on a mission, a _ can tell you this. i am on a mission, a mission to restore pride and opportunity to my hometown. a mission _ and opportunity to my hometown. a mission to— and opportunity to my hometown. a mission to ensure kids growing up here today— mission to ensure kids growing up here today don't have to move out to -et here today don't have to move out to get on _ here today don't have to move out to get on a _ here today don't have to move out to get on. a mission to build a highway is little _ get on. a mission to build a highway is little economy, where hard work is little economy, where hard work is rewarded, and the contribution of all is _ is rewarded, and the contribution of all is valued. it is the honour of my life — all is valued. it is the honour of my life to— all is valued. it is the honour of my life to have been elected to represent my hometown. together, we are going _ represent my hometown. together, we are going to— represent my hometown. together, we are going to put swindon back on the map. _ are going to put swindon back on the map. for— are going to put swindon back on the map. for all— are going to put swindon back on the map, for all the right reasons. i would _ map, for all the right reasons. i would like — map, for all the right reasons. i would like to thank everyone who has made _ would like to thank everyone who has made this— would like to thank everyone who has made this election run so smoothly, to the _ made this election run so smoothly, to the returning officer, to everyone counting here tonight, and to the _ everyone counting here tonight, and to the -- _ everyone counting here tonight, and to the -- to — everyone counting here tonight, and to the —— to the police. i would like _ to the —— to the police. i would like to— to the —— to the police. i would like to thank my incredible campaign team _ like to thank my incredible campaign team you _ like to thank my incredible campaign team. you know who you all are. there _ team. you know who you all are. there was — team. you know who you all are. there was not a door and swindon south _ there was not a door and swindon south we — there was not a door and swindon south we have not knocked on, and

there _ south we have not knocked on, and there are _ south we have not knocked on, and there are plenty we have not done many _ there are plenty we have not done many times, and i have had to tell some _ many times, and i have had to tell some people i'm not stalking them. i cannot— some people i'm not stalking them. i cannot thank you and them enough. to my agent _ cannot thank you and them enough. to my agent patrick herring, to a local party— my agent patrick herring, to a local party chair. — my agent patrick herring, to a local party chair, jo barton, and to the leader— party chair, jo barton, and to the leader of— party chair, jo barton, and to the leader of the counciljim robbins, thank— leader of the counciljim robbins, thank you — leader of the counciljim robbins, thank you for your unwavering support— thank you for your unwavering support and good advice. i would like to— support and good advice. i would like to pay— support and good advice. i would like to pay tribute to robert. robert, _ like to pay tribute to robert. robert, you have been a gentleman in this contest. _ robert, you have been a gentleman in this contest, you have been a hard—working servant of swindon, senior— hard—working servant of swindon, senior government minister and an ardent— senior government minister and an ardent campaigner on the issues closest _ ardent campaigner on the issues closest to— ardent campaigner on the issues closest to your heart. the political winds _ closest to your heart. the political winds of— closest to your heart. the political winds of change may be blown tonight, — winds of change may be blown tonight, but i hope you are contribution to public life continues. and finally, i would like to thank— continues. and finally, i would like to thank my— continues. and finally, i would like to thank my family, to my dad, who has been _ to thank my family, to my dad, who has been my— to thank my family, to my dad, who has been my hero from day one growing — has been my hero from day one growing up in colebrook road, thank you for— growing up in colebrook road, thank you for a _ growing up in colebrook road, thank you for a my— growing up in colebrook road, thank you for a my office, and putting out my pens— you for a my office, and putting out my pens when i forget them. thank you to _ my pens when i forget them. thank you to my— my pens when i forget them. thank you to my mum for refilling my freezer. — you to my mum for refilling my freezer, for providing a one—woman

news _ freezer, for providing a one—woman news monitoring service at the swindon— news monitoring service at the swindon advertiser, always believing in me _ swindon advertiser, always believing in me and _ swindon advertiser, always believing in me and thank you to my husband, martin _ in me and thank you to my husband, martin~ two — in me and thank you to my husband, martin. two years ago, iago, i said i martin. two years ago, iago, i said i wanted _ martin. two years ago, iago, ! said i wanted to— martin. two years ago, iago, i said i wanted to come home. we uprooted their life _ i wanted to come home. we uprooted their life we _ i wanted to come home. we uprooted their life we have put together in south—east london, and you didn't blink~ _ south—east london, and you didn't blink~ i— south—east london, and you didn't blink. i simply would not be the blink. ! simply would not be the person— blink. ! simply would not be the person i— blink. i simply would not be the person i am without you. thank you, swindon. _ person i am without you. thank you, swindon, thank you to all those who voted _ swindon, thank you to all those who voted for— swindon, thank you to all those who voted for me and to those who didn't let me _ voted for me and to those who didn't let me say— voted for me and to those who didn't let me say this, i am here for you, i let me say this, i am here for you, i will— let me say this, i am here for you, i will represent our whole community with dedication and humility. swindon. _ with dedication and humility. swindon, thank you for giving me the opportunity— swindon, thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve. i won't let you down — opportunity to serve. i won't let you down-— opportunity to serve. i won't let ou down. ~ . :, you down. heidi alexander, former mp, now becomes _ you down. heidi alexander, former mp, now becomes the _ you down. heidi alexander, former mp, now becomes the new - you down. heidi alexander, former mp, now becomes the new labour| you down. heidi alexander, former i mp, now becomes the new labour mp from swindon south. the first neighbour again on the night, taking the seat from robert buckland, the former tory minister, the first conservative to lose, let's listen in. : : . conservative to lose, let's listen in. : : , . . in. an incredible counting team that makes swindon _ in. an incredible counting team that makes swindon one _ in. an incredible counting team that makes swindon one of _ in. an incredible counting team that makes swindon one of the -

in. an incredible counting team that makes swindon one of the most i makes swindon one of the most efficient counting centres in the united kingdom. for much of the day and the rest of the night, many friendly faces here, who we will need to rely on for democracy, and thatis need to rely on for democracy, and that is what is happening tonight. i would like to thank the people of swindon south as well, or should i say, south swindon, the seat i had the honour of representing for 14 years, forfour the honour of representing for 14 years, for four elections. the honour of representing for 14 years, forfour elections. although years, for four elections. although it years, forfour elections. although it was not to be tonight, ioane huge debt of gratitude to the tens of thousands of fellow residents who have supported me over the years, and to continue to do so at this election, and to those who didn't, i sent my good wishes and that my hopes go with you for the future of our town, hopes go with you for the future of ourtown, my hopes go with you for the future of our town, my home, hopes go with you for the future of ourtown, my home, and our hopes go with you for the future of our town, my home, and our country, and i want to thank heidi for her heartfelt words, are they generally wish her well. she is a person who comes to this with goodwill, and the

right motives, and i am glad that on a personal level, she is able to serve once again. i want to thank my family, my wife, and my children who have, through the 20 years that i have, through the 20 years that i have been a candidate and mp here, put aside their priorities, notjust for mine but for the people i serve, and for my incredible campaign team, who ignored the national polls and worked day and night to help me in this campaign, and i do them a huge debt of gratitude. now, tonight's result means that i cannot for the time being be a direct participant in our parliamentary process, which you know i value and love dearly. i am proud of the work i have done to advance the cause of autistic and disabled people in our country, and people who live in an abusive and

controlling domestic relationships, and the victims of serious crime in particular. i am deeply proud of the investment that i have helped secure for swindon, from the new a&e at gwh, and the honda site redevelopment. but there is much more, of course, to do. i wish heidi well and i know that she will carry on the work that i have started. our very political system is at a crossroads. do we value those who work to bring people together, and to come into politics to do something, ratherthan to come into politics to do something, rather than be someone, or, do we shrug our shoulders and accept that politics is a mere circus where people compete for attention by saying things, that they either know to be untrue, or raise hopes and expectations in a way that further erodes trust. i

know what side i'm on, i knew what choice i would make, and i believe with sincere and fierce conviction that my family —— my party is to make the right choice also, if we are to inspire a new generation with the real promise of a better future. thank you, swindon, for giving me the opportunity of my life to make a positive difference to our town, and our nation. applause two speech is full of strong convictions there. the main headline, heidi alexander, a former labour mp, with a huge swing of 16%, returning to parliament as the mp for swindon south. but also, very fierce speech from sir robert buckland the former conservative cabinet minister let you some in his party, not directly, but it was clear what he was saying, he was asking whether they value people work together, or those who accept

that politics is a circus, and say things to be untrue. so, a taste, there are, of some of the very fierce fights and head for the conservative party as the night and the days progress after what appears to be on course to be a very shattering defeat. and the civility shown by... it is something you don't see that often, frankly, in our modern politics. and i think it is important that we reflect on that, saadi khan, because heidi alexander left a good job in lewisham as the mp to go and work for you, and as she was giving a speech, you were saying that you are taking credit for that!— taking credit for that! heidi, i wasn't. taking credit for that! heidi, i wasn't- l _ taking credit for that! heidi, i wasn't. i was _ taking credit for that! heidi, i wasn't. i was in _ taking credit for that! heidi, i wasn't. i was in swindon i taking credit for that! heidi, i l wasn't. i was in swindon north taking credit for that! heidi, i i wasn't. i was in swindon north and swindon— wasn't. i was in swindon north and swindon south to days ago, seeks we had to— swindon south to days ago, seeks we had to win _ swindon south to days ago, seeks we had to win and i must praise robert and heidi _ had to win and i must praise robert and heidi for those speeches, you will not _

and heidi for those speeches, you will not see two more classy speeches throughout the course of this night. — speeches throughout the course of this night, but it is the start of what _ this night, but it is the start of what will— this night, but it is the start of what will be a great night for keir starmer's — what will be a great night for keir starmer's labour party, across every region— starmer's labour party, across every region of— starmer's labour party, across every region of the _ starmer's labour party, across every region of the country, you will see labour— region of the country, you will see labour making gains, labour, the biggest _ labour making gains, labour, the biggest party in england, scotland and wales, and it is quite remarkable because heidi and i sat through— remarkable because heidi and i sat through 2019, when we were fearing that our— through 2019, when we were fearing that our party was on the brink of extinction. — that our party was on the brink of extinction, heidi came to work as the deputy— extinction, heidi came to work as the deputy mayor for transport. and then four— the deputy mayor for transport. and then four years, the astana has taken _ then four years, the astana has taken us — then four years, the astana has taken us to— then four years, the astana has taken us to the cusp of power, quite unprecedented, and i hope that through— unprecedented, and i hope that through the course of the night you will see _ through the course of the night you will see more and more labour gains. that is— will see more and more labour gains. that is the _ will see more and more labour gains. that is the first one. did will see more and more labour gains. that is the first one.— that is the first one. did you think that this night _ that is the first one. did you think that this night could _ that is the first one. did you think that this night could ever - that is the first one. did you think that this night could ever be i that this night could ever be possible within the space of one parliament? we are still talking about an exit poll here, but it seems to be doing a certain way with the results. 1 seems to be doing a certain way with the results. . ,, :, the results. i have known keir starmer for — the results. i have known keir starmer for 30 _

the results. i have known keir starmer for 30 years, - the results. i have known keir starmer for 30 years, we i the results. i have known keir| starmer for 30 years, we were the results. i have known keir- starmer for 30 years, we were both lawyers _ starmer for 30 years, we were both lawyers. when he said he wanted to be leader. _ lawyers. when he said he wanted to be leader, it was not clear if he could _ be leader, it was not clear if he could be — be leader, it was not clear if he could be able to go on to be prime minister _ could be able to go on to be prime minister. how difficult the task was _ minister. how difficult the task was but— minister. how difficult the task was. but the sick sense of conviction and confidence that made him think— conviction and confidence that made him think he could do it, he made us believe _ him think he could do it, he made us believe he _ him think he could do it, he made us believe he could do it, and he has worked _ believe he could do it, and he has worked so — believe he could do it, and he has worked so hard, he has built a team around _ worked so hard, he has built a team around him. — worked so hard, he has built a team around him, the shadow cabinet, mps, volunteers. _ around him, the shadow cabinet, mps, volunteers, have fed off his confidence. there have been some difficult _ confidence. there have been some difficult moments. there have been times— difficult moments. there have been times when we thought it wasn't possible — times when we thought it wasn't possible. in my wildest dreams for and half— possible. in my wildest dreams for and half years ago did i think we would _ and half years ago did i think we would be — and half years ago did i think we would be here? no. but keir did and he deserves— would be here? no. but keir did and he deserves massive credit for getting — he deserves massive credit for getting us here. i love keir and he deserves massive credit for getting us here. i love keirand i said to— getting us here. i love keirand i said to keir. _ getting us here. i love keirand i said to keir, one of my best friends took on _ said to keir, one of my best friends took on this— said to keir, one of my best friends took on thisjob said to keir, one of my best friends took on this job in 2010, we fell short— took on this job in 2010, we fell short in— took on this job in 2010, we fell short in 2015. ed took on this job in 2010, we fell short in 2015.— took on this job in 2010, we fell short in 2015._ i- took on this job in 2010, we fell.

short in 2015._ i have short in 2015. ed miliband. i have seen great _ short in 2015. ed miliband. i have seen great politicians _ short in 2015. ed miliband. i have seen great politicians being i short in 2015. ed miliband. i have seen great politicians being the l seen great politicians being the leader— seen great politicians being the leader of— seen great politicians being the leader of her majesty's opposition, keir believed in himself and his vision. — keir believed in himself and his vision. his— keir believed in himself and his vision, his motivation is a public service — vision, his motivation is a public service he _ vision, his motivation is a public service. he took on cases for me without— service. he took on cases for me without taking a fee, he worked for clients _ without taking a fee, he worked for clients without asking for money. he will be _ clients without asking for money. he will be magnanimous tomorrow, he will be magnanimous tomorrow, he will be _ will be magnanimous tomorrow, he will be humble, and him demanding that every— will be humble, and him demanding that every labour mp serves with humility — that every labour mp serves with humility. we that every labour mp serves with humili . ~ . that every labour mp serves with humili . 9 . :, . :, humility. we have got another labour hold, in washington _ humility. we have got another labour hold, in washington and _ humility. we have got another labour hold, in washington and gateshead . hold, in washington and gateshead south. labour have hung onto that seat, sharon hodgson is re—elected there, as the mp. so that is five seats for labour, four holds, one gain, most of those seats in the north. what is it about the north—east? it isjust north. what is it about the north—east? it is just a special place. naga and sally told us about

the lengths they had gone to, and that seat, washington, reform in second place, reform just one of the headaches for the erstwhile conservative leader rishi sunak, the huge move to labour we are seeing is the biggest problem for him of all. let's check in with victoria derbyshire. you are at the count, have you managed to glean anything from conservative supporters? plat from conservative supporters? not particularly. _ from conservative supporters? not particularly, the vindication of the ballot _ particularly, the vindication of the ballot papers is almost complete, and the _ ballot papers is almost complete, and the actual counting of the real vote will— and the actual counting of the real vote will begin in about half an hour — vote will begin in about half an hour. there is a sort of quiet hum as the _ hour. there is a sort of quiet hum as the verification continues. what i as the verification continues. what i can— as the verification continues. what i can tell— as the verification continues. what i can tell you, and i'm sure that it is the— i can tell you, and i'm sure that it is the same— i can tell you, and i'm sure that it is the same for you, laura, the number— is the same for you, laura, the number of— is the same for you, laura, the number of whatsapp messages i have received _ number of whatsapp messages i have received from senior conservative politicians — received from senior conservative politicians ranging from despair to

scepticism about the exit poll, particularly when it comes to the number— particularly when it comes to the number of— particularly when it comes to the number of seats that the reform are a expected _ number of seats that the reform are a expected to win and some conservative mps looking for positives in that exit poll. the reaction — positives in that exit poll. the reaction of one senior mp was an expletive. — reaction of one senior mp was an expletive, which i will not repeat right _ expletive, which i will not repeat right now — expletive, which i will not repeat right now. another says that the exit poll — right now. another says that the exit poll is... yes, exactly, which is why— exit poll is... yes, exactly, which is why i'm — exit poll is... yes, exactly, which is why i'm not— exit poll is... yes, exactly, which is why i'm not repeating it, another said that _ is why i'm not repeating it, another said that it— is why i'm not repeating it, another said that it was dire, he said he could _ said that it was dire, he said he could not— said that it was dire, he said he could not see the tories getting 131, could not see the tories getting 131. he — could not see the tories getting 131, he thought that the reform would _ 131, he thought that the reform would get more than 13, another says that if— would get more than 13, another says that if labour can turn the worst result— that if labour can turn the worst result since the 1930s into the best result— result since the 1930s into the best result then we the conservatives have _ result then we the conservatives have it _ result then we the conservatives have it all — result then we the conservatives have it all to play for over the next — have it all to play for over the next five _ have it all to play for over the next five years. i have been chatting _ next five years. i have been chatting to the reform candidate here. _ chatting to the reform candidate here. one — chatting to the reform candidate here, one lee taylor, who says he is hopeful— here, one lee taylor, who says he is hopeful of—

here, one lee taylor, who says he is hopeful of making a massive dent in rishi sunak's majority. we are expecting _ rishi sunak's majority. we are expecting at about half past three, he will— expecting at about half past three, he will arrive, with the other 12 candidates here, and we expect the result— candidates here, and we expect the result in— candidates here, and we expect the result in richmond and northallerton, at about 4am this morning — northallerton, at about 4am this morninu. . ~ northallerton, at about 4am this morninu. :, ,, i. northallerton, at about 4am this morninu. . ~ : :, . morning. thank you, victoria, we will talk to _ morning. thank you, victoria, we will talk to you _ morning. thank you, victoria, we will talk to you later. _ morning. thank you, victoria, we will talk to you later. in _ morning. thank you, victoria, we will talk to you later. in the i will talk to you later. in the studio with us now, gus o'donnell, the former cabinet secretary. it looks like we're going to have a new prime minister. how does the civil service prepare for that? thea;r prime minister. how does the civil service prepare for that?— service prepare for that? they will have been preparing _ service prepare for that? they will have been preparing for— service prepare for that? they will have been preparing for a - service prepare for that? they will have been preparing for a long i service prepare for that? they will. have been preparing for a long time, for all— have been preparing for a long time, for all possible options, but this one looks — for all possible options, but this one looks very likely, given the polls _ one looks very likely, given the polls it — one looks very likely, given the polls. it will be a dramatic time. they— polls. it will be a dramatic time. they will— polls. it will be a dramatic time. they will be sorting out the details of what _ they will be sorting out the details of what happens tomorrow. if the polls _ of what happens tomorrow. if the polls are — of what happens tomorrow. if the polls are right, keir starmer will be clapped into 10 downing street about— be clapped into 10 downing street about one hour after rishi sunak has been clapped out of downing street. rishi sunak goes to the king and offered _ rishi sunak goes to the king and offered his resignation, then keir

goes. _ offered his resignation, then keir goes. and — offered his resignation, then keir goes, and then the work starts. but is the _ goes, and then the work starts. but is the thing — goes, and then the work starts. but is the thing. the cabinet secretary is the thing. the cabinet secretary is the _ is the thing. the cabinet secretary is the ultimate wet blanket. they come _ is the ultimate wet blanket. they come through that door and they are on a high. _ come through that door and they are on a high, like no other high, they have _ on a high, like no other high, they have just — on a high, like no other high, they have just been clapped in, it is amazing — have just been clapped in, it is amazing. and then i have to say to them. _ amazing. and then i have to say to them, literally now, i mean, i have got. _ them, literally now, i mean, i have got. they— them, literally now, i mean, i have got, they have got to sort out a whole _ got, they have got to sort out a whole cabinet, appointing all of the cabinet. _ whole cabinet, appointing all of the cabinet, they have got to read the briefs. _ cabinet, they have got to read the briefs, president biden is on the phone. — briefs, president biden is on the phone, what am i going to say to him. _ phone, what am i going to say to him, president macron, he has got all of— him, president macron, he has got all of those — him, president macron, he has got all of those things going on. the nato _ all of those things going on. the nato summit. there is the minor matter— nato summit. there is the minor matter of— nato summit. there is the minor matter of that nato summit on the 9th of— matter of that nato summit on the 9th ofjuly, then the epc, european leaders _ 9th ofjuly, then the epc, european leaders coming to blenheim palace towards _ leaders coming to blenheim palace towards the end of the month. he has a huge _ towards the end of the month. he has a huge amount on. and as cabinet secretary— a huge amount on. and as cabinet secretary i — a huge amount on. and as cabinet secretary i will be talking to the prime _ secretary i will be talking to the prime minister about minor things like, prime minister about minor things like. we _ prime minister about minor things like, we have got some terrorist issues _ like, we have got some terrorist issues i — like, we have got some terrorist issues i need to talk you through,

intelligence issues, and there is the nuclear coding, how many million people _ the nuclear coding, how many million people do— the nuclear coding, how many million people do you want to wipe out if we are wiped _ people do you want to wipe out if we are wiped out, those are big issues, and rememberthat he is a human. his family— and rememberthat he is a human. his familyare— and rememberthat he is a human. his family are coming through that door, and they— family are coming through that door, and they are moving home. so that is his wife _ and they are moving home. so that is his wife and _ and they are moving home. so that is his wife and children. it is a massive _ his wife and children. it is a massive event in their lives. believe _ massive event in their lives. believe me, it is a very stressful job _ it is one of the worstjobs in politics— it is one of the worstjobs in politics when your leader of the opposition, when you are prime minister. — opposition, when you are prime minister. it— opposition, when you are prime minister, it is relentless. if you are listening, keir starmer. go to bed _ are listening, keir starmer. go to bed. �* . are listening, keir starmer. go to bed. �* , :, :, :, are listening, keir starmer. go to bed. �*, :, :, :, :, . bed. he's not going to do that! it will be a huge — bed. he's not going to do that! it will be a huge day, _ bed. he's not going to do that! it will be a huge day, whatever- will be a huge day, whatever happens, that looks clear, the direction of travel. sadiq khan is sitting with a twinkle in the eye,

you are not going to let me go to the end of the sentence without a sprinkling of salt, if labour gets a majority of this scale, what kind of government to think keir starmer will run? gus o'donnell has given us a horror story of the serious issues, chris has reflected on the tightness of the budget, there ain't much cash. what kind of government will he run? 1 much cash. what kind of government will be run?— will he run? i think what we will let, will he run? i think what we will net, at will he run? i think what we will get. at last. _ will he run? i think what we will get. at last. is— will he run? i think what we will get, at last, is a _ will he run? i think what we will get, at last, is a grown-up i get, at last, is a grown—up government and grown—up prime minister, he will under promise and over deliver. you will be magnanimous and reach across to colleagues from all sides of the house. 1t colleagues from all sides of the house. ,:, , ~' colleagues from all sides of the house. , ,, . . house. it sounds like you had a review house. it sounds like you had a preview of _ house. it sounds like you had a preview of his _ house. it sounds like you had a preview of his speech? - house. it sounds like you had a preview of his speech? he i house. it sounds like you had a preview of his speech? he is i house. it sounds like you had a preview of his speech? he is a | preview of his speech? he is a unifier, preview of his speech? he is a unifier. he _ preview of his speech? he is a unifier, he is _ preview of his speech? he is a unifier, he is not _ preview of his speech? he is a unifier, he is not sleeping i preview of his speech? he is a i unifier, he is not sleeping tonight because he is a workaholic, getting ready for a big day tomorrow. managing expectations, and also making clear that team labour knows what is expected from us, high standards, public service. you heard what robert buckland said about the consequences of bad leadership, we have had five since 2010. he will be

very different. you have had five since 2010. he will be very different-— very different. you say he is a unifier, quite _ very different. you say he is a unifier, quite a _ very different. you say he is a unifier, quite a lot _ very different. you say he is a unifier, quite a lot of- very different. you say he is a unifier, quite a lot of people i very different. you say he is a i unifier, quite a lot of people feel in your party that he has booted out people that didn't fancy his agenda, some of his colleagues were privately boasted about how ruthless he was to do that, and he had to make those decisions to be in a position to win. i'm not sure keir starmer, the unity candidate, is what everybody would say. you speak to labour what everybody would say. you speak to labour mps — what everybody would say. you speak to labour mps tomorrow _ what everybody would say. you speak to labour mps tomorrow and - what everybody would say. you speak to labour mps tomorrow and they i what everybody would say. you speakj to labour mps tomorrow and they will say they are unified. ant; to labour mps tomorrow and they will say they are unified.— say they are unified. any new mp is auoin to say they are unified. any new mp is going to say — say they are unified. any new mp is going to say nice — say they are unified. any new mp is going to say nice things _ say they are unified. any new mp is going to say nice things about i say they are unified. any new mp is going to say nice things about the i going to say nice things about the lead on day one. brute going to say nice things about the lead on day one.— lead on day one. we are a united sa , lead on day one. we are a united party. we — lead on day one. we are a united party. we have — lead on day one. we are a united party, we have worked _ lead on day one. we are a united party, we have worked incrediblyj party, we have worked incredibly hard and the keir starmer's leadership. we are not doing somersaults, we get one night to enjoy the victory on them tomorrow we get back to work. 1t enjoy the victory on them tomorrow we get back to work.— we get back to work. it has been treat to we get back to work. it has been great to have — we get back to work. it has been great to have you _ we get back to work. it has been great to have you with _ we get back to work. it has been great to have you with us. i we get back to work. it has been great to have you with us. we i we get back to work. it has beenl great to have you with us. we are going to show you in graphic form what has happened so far this evening, labour have five seats. four holds, one gain. it looks like a reform are in second place but thatis

a reform are in second place but that is because of the wonderful way that is because of the wonderful way that the share of the vote has been holding out. they have been coming second in so many of the seats that have taken place so far that we have had declarations on. that is why they are up there with labour because of the size of the share of their vote. because of the size of the share of theirvote. but because of the size of the share of their vote. but all of the declaration so far this evening have been for labour wins. lets take you back to swindon south, that result which was the first labour win of the night, the first of them taking a seat from their opponents. we can speak to sir robert buckland who gave a very strong speech from the stage. like many people who will be losing their seats tonight, from different parties, commiserations to you. we say that all of the candidates you may lose out. but in your speech, you gave a very strong warning, it was clear, to your party, not to carry on behaving in the way it has and not to go into some kind of circus in the way that you clearly feel they have done in recent years?

laura, i'm fed up with performance art politics. i watched colleagues in the conservative party strike poses, right inflammatory opinion pieces and say stupid things that they know they have no evidence for, instead of concentrating on doing the job they were elected to do. i've had enough of it. i want the conservative party to get back to the ethos of doing stuff well. being competent. not pretending to please the media. if we can get back to that, then i think we have more than a fighting chance of the next election. but we need to do it quickly and we need to wake up now. who in particular are you thinking of that has done that? you say people have said things that are untrue. 1 people have said things that are untrue. ~ . people have said things that are untrue. ~' . , people have said things that are untrue. ,, . , , untrue. i think we have seen in this election astonishing _ untrue. i think we have seen in this election astonishing ill— untrue. i think we have seen in this election astonishing ill discipline i election astonishing ill discipline within the party. we see articles being written before a vote is cast in the general election about the

party heading for defeat and what the prognosis should be, it is spectacularly unprofessional and ill disciplined. it's not the conservative party ijoined and have been an active member of for 40 years. i expect more from colleagues. i also expect colleagues and senior office to actually get a grip of their brief and portfolio and understand that politics is about hard choices. it's about doing the detail. the prime minister understands that and he is an admirable example of how to do the detail. what is also missing is a narrative. what are we saying, particularly to younger voters? in swindon i have a younger than average demographic. what are we offering about owning their own home and having a share in the future of the country? where has this ambition gone for our country? the conservative party is more than just a desiccated management machine. we should be representing with passion the hopes of the next generation. whilst we have done an admirable

things on education and supported older people in our society, we have really now got to look fundamentally at what we do for younger people. it's not about left and right, it's about those who want to come into politics to do things, rather than visa body. i've lost my position. i'm a member of the public again. great, i'mjoe public. i'll tell you this, my political career is not over. forthe this, my political career is not over. for the party that i love, i will do everything i can to make sure we a credible party of the nation once again. that is where the conservative party wins, and that is what millions of people are crying out for. the people that stayed at home were telling us just as much as those who switched that they are not happy with the conservative party. we have to do better and accept the judgment of the electorate quickly. everybody will hear the conviction in your voice in how strongly you feel about where it has gone wrong for your party. you say it has been spectacularly ill disciplined and ill judged spectacularly ill disciplined and illjudged for colleagues to talk about losing the election before it

has happened. i assume you are referring to suella braverman, the former home secretary, who did as much in the pages of the daily telegraph yesterday? 1’m much in the pages of the daily telegraph yesterday? i'm afraid that is not an isolated _ telegraph yesterday? i'm afraid that is not an isolated example. - telegraph yesterday? i'm afraid that is not an isolated example. i'm i telegraph yesterday? i'm afraid that is not an isolated example. i'm fed i is not an isolated example. i'm fed up is not an isolated example. i'm fed up of personal agendas and jockeying for position. the truth is now, with the conservatives facing this electoral armageddon, it is going to be like a group of bold men arguing over a comb. be like a group of bold men arguing overa comb. —— bald. i came be like a group of bold men arguing over a comb. —— bald. i came into politics to exercise power for change in this country. i did that in office for many years, i change the lives of victims of crime, victim of domestic abuse and autistic people. i wanted to do more for the people i care about, i've been denied that because the party around mejust been denied that because the party around me just can't get its proverbial together. i'm not going to use a four letter word even though we are well after the

watershed. though we are well after the watershed-— though we are well after the watershed. ~ , , . watershed. clive myrie year. there is auoin to watershed. clive myrie year. there is going to be _ watershed. clive myrie year. there is going to be a — watershed. clive myrie year. there is going to be a battle _ watershed. clive myrie year. there is going to be a battle for - watershed. clive myrie year. there is going to be a battle for the i watershed. clive myrie year. there is going to be a battle for the soul| is going to be a battle for the soul of the conservative party after this. if these early results are bought out more widely, and the exit poll is correct. there is a sense that the party could lurch further to the right and have those characters that you are criticising be in charge of the party. that would be _ be in charge of the party. that would be a — be in charge of the party. that would be a disastrous - be in charge of the party. trust would be a disastrous mistake. it would be a disastrous mistake. it would send us into the abyss, and give labour, gift labour government for many years. what happened the night was a big vote for change. labour are going to get a big majority. congratulations to them and good luck to the new prime minister. but it's not necessarily going to be the deepest of majorities for them. they are going to need to listen... majorities for them. they are going to need to listen. . ._ to need to listen... robert, i am auoin to to need to listen... robert, i am going to have — to need to listen... robert, i am going to have to _ to need to listen... robert, i am going to have to interrupt - to need to listen... robert, i am going to have to interrupt you, i to need to listen... robert, i am i going to have to interrupt you, we have a declaration.—

have a declaration. liberal democrat. _ have a declaration. liberal democrat, 1946. - have a declaration. liberal democrat, 1946. the i have a declaration. liberal- democrat, 1946. the conservative party. _ democrat, 1946. the conservative party, 4228. reform uk, 7815. chi 0nwurah. — party, 4228. reform uk, 7815. chi onwurah, labour party, 16,455. habib rahman. _ onwurah, labour party, 16,455. habib rahman, independent, 1636. yvonne ridley. _ rahman, independent, 1636. yvonne ridley, independent, 3627. chi 0nwurah— ridley, independent, 3627. chi onwurah has been duly elected to serve _ onwurah has been duly elected to serve as— onwurah has been duly elected to serve as a — onwurah has been duly elected to serve as a councillor, is a member of parliament for the newcastle upon tyne central and west constituency. thank _ tyne central and west constituency. thank you — tyne central and west constituency. thank you. the reform candidate is unwell— thank you. the reform candidate is unwell and — thank you. the reform candidate is unwell and has had to leave the count — unwell and has had to leave the count i— unwell and has had to leave the

count. i now invite chi onwurah to speak _ count. i now invite chi onwurah to seak. ~ . :, count. i now invite chi onwurah to seak. 9 , :, . speak. we wish the reform candidate well, ill and not— speak. we wish the reform candidate well, ill and not able _ speak. we wish the reform candidate well, ill and not able to _ speak. we wish the reform candidate well, ill and not able to make - speak. we wish the reform candidate well, ill and not able to make the i well, ill and not able to make the count. that is ashton lung cancer. but he has come second. —— that is ashton muncaster. the turnout, again, fairly low. reform have beaten the conservatives into second place and that is so far, and it is early, it is the story of the night. lets look at the numbers. there was no question if they were going to hold the seat, but reform comes up by 11%, the conservatives crashing down by 16%. let's show you the movement from labour to reform, again, in the north—east, but not an area like sunderland where there was such a pronounced cakmakli of the vote. a very interesting pattern we

are saying. we should underline it is a labourwin. are saying. we should underline it is a labour win. what is happening with reform underneath the surface is fascinating. brute with reform underneath the surface is fascinating-— is fascinating. we can piece toaether is fascinating. we can piece together what _ is fascinating. we can piece together what we _ is fascinating. we can piece together what we see i is fascinating. we can piece together what we see in i is fascinating. we can piece| together what we see in the is fascinating. we can piece _ together what we see in the numbers, not just that one together what we see in the numbers, notjust that one but together what we see in the numbers, not just that one but the together what we see in the numbers, notjust that one but the early ones with the reform performance, unpicking the words that robert buckland was using in your conversation. the mild—mannered chap, but my goodness you could hear his fury, is anger at his own colleagues, notjust that his fury, is anger at his own colleagues, not just that article written by suella braverman in the telegraph just the other day, but sketching out, as he sees it, what the party needs to avoid in the postmortem we are seeing now, he was talking about bald men fighting over a comb, in his parliamentary party that he will not be part of.- that he will not be part of. really an: . that he will not be part of. really angry- robert — that he will not be part of. really angry. robert buckland, - that he will not be part of. really angry. robert buckland, for i that he will not be part of. really i angry. robert buckland, for viewers who do not — angry. robert buckland, for viewers who do not follow _

angry. robert buckland, for viewers who do not follow politics _ angry. robert buckland, for viewers who do not follow politics as - angry. robert buckland, for viewers who do not follow politics as keenly| who do not follow politics as keenly as others might, he is not someone who grabs megaphones and shouts loudly into them for the sake of it. he is a mild—mannered, understated chap. there, you could seejust how angry he is and how angry he is in particular at his own colleagues, contributing to a difficult night for the conservatives. it contributing to a difficult night for the conservatives.- contributing to a difficult night for the conservatives. it will be an interesting — for the conservatives. it will be an interesting night _ for the conservatives. it will be an interesting night and _ for the conservatives. it will be an interesting night and we _ for the conservatives. it will be an interesting night and we have - for the conservatives. it will be an i interesting night and we have enough results now and the exit poll. i don't know about you lot, but i think it is time we saw the swingometer. jeremy vine has the swingometer. jeremy vine has the swingometer in question in cardiff. it measures the movement of votes between parties from one election to another. if the proportion of votes stays the same, then the swing would

be zero and you can see the needle here. if that was the case, all of the red seats stay red and the blue seats stay blue. it will not be zero after time. we listened to robert buckland. you can see his seat would fall on a 6% swing. swindon south. and so it did. labour are going beyond that. i could put half a dozen results that we have had into the swingometer and we can measure the swingometer and we can measure the actual swing, not the exit polls, the actual swing. before we look, 12.7% is the swing required for a majority of one. if you have 12.7%, labour have that in every seat, they get a one seat majority. where are they now? just slightly shy of ii%. where are they now? just slightly shy of 11%. if it was 11% swing in every single seat, that would have them on an extra 98 seats. so how come this is an extraordinary night for labour with what seems to be a fairly modest swing so far? as we

get more results, it may go up. at the moment if it is 11%, if you simply paint them in logically, these seats are all labour under these seats are all labour under these seats are all labour under these seats stay conservative. here is what is actually happening. in places where they need a bigger swing, labourare places where they need a bigger swing, labour are getting it. look at what the exit poll is projecting. instead, they have targeted seats they desperately needed, maybe they were in second place to conservatives, and it looks like from our exit poll productions only at 13%, they are taking all of the seats, at 13% we are taking all of the seats, at 15, nearly all of them. where does this very targeted labour swing stop? this is the secret of labour's victory if

victory it is. this is our prediction, the exit poll, but it shows them possibly in romford, redditch, herne bay, getting seats on a swing up 20%. part of what is happening is the targeting of the labour vote. happening is the targeting of the labourvote. nevertell happening is the targeting of the labour vote. never tell is that the conservatives seem to be haemorrhaging most in places where they are stronger. so, for them it really is a perfect storm. all right, jeremy, thank you for that. it is an absolute spammer matter, are very, very fancy spirometer for 2024. it is are very, very fancy spirometer for 202a. it is not even a real one, it is a virtual one. fix, 2024. it is not even a real one, it is a virtual one.— is a virtual one. a bit of cardboard. _ is a virtual one. a bit of cardboard. it _ is a virtual one. a bit of cardboard. it is - is a virtual one. a bit of cardboard. it is very - is a virtual one. a bit of - cardboard. it is very high-tech is a virtual one. a bit of _ cardboard. it is very high-tech now. the former— cardboard. it is very high-tech now. the former cabinet _ cardboard. it is very high-tech now. the former cabinet secretary - cardboard. it is very high-tech now. the former cabinet secretary gus i the former cabinet secretary gus o'donnell, this is a big revelation.

you got 170 quid for working on a spirometer. i you got 170 quid for working on a spirometer-_ you got 170 quid for working on a sirometer. ., , �* spirometer. i was with david butler, and he turned _ spirometer. i was with david butler, and he turned the _ spirometer. i was with david butler, and he turned the handle _ spirometer. i was with david butler, and he turned the handle of - spirometer. i was with david butler, and he turned the handle of the - and he turned the handle of the calculator and said to him, they swing is 5.2%, and the turnout is not by whatever.— swing is 5.2%, and the turnout is not by whatever. you heard it here first. we not by whatever. you heard it here first- we will _ not by whatever. you heard it here first. we will check _ not by whatever. you heard it here first. we will check in _ not by whatever. you heard it here first. we will check in with - not by whatever. you heard it here first. we will check in with you. - not by whatever. you heard it here| first. we will check in with you. we are going to go to islington and helena wilkinson who is standing by. i am assuming that that is islington north 30 jeremy corbyn can't all have i got that wrong? you north 30 jeremy corbyn can't all have i got that wrong?— have i got that wrong? you have got that riaht, have i got that wrong? you have got that right, never _ have i got that wrong? you have got that right, never expecting - have i got that wrong? you have got that right, never expecting two - that right, never expecting two smack— that right, never expecting two smack declarations for islington north, — smack declarations for islington north, jeremy corbyn and islington south _ north, jeremy corbyn and islington south and — north, jeremy corbyn and islington south and finsbury. i will step out of camera — south and finsbury. i will step out of camera because i am sure that you want to— of camera because i am sure that you want to see _ of camera because i am sure that you want to see jeremy corbyn on that account_ want to see jeremy corbyn on that account floor, getting a better view

of him _ account floor, getting a better view of him you — account floor, getting a better view of him. you can see him having a chat_ of him. you can see him having a chat to _ of him. you can see him having a chat to various people there. i saw him arrive — chat to various people there. i saw him arrive about 40 minutes ago, looking _ him arrive about 40 minutes ago, looking relaxed. he has been chatting _ looking relaxed. he has been chatting away. last ten minutes, he did look— chatting away. last ten minutes, he did look at— chatting away. last ten minutes, he did look at his watch, so keen to probably— did look at his watch, so keen to probably get a move when i'll get me declaralion— probably get a move when i'll get me declaration out of the way. this is a unique — declaration out of the way. this is a unique pattern here because jeremy corbyn _ a unique pattern here because jeremy corbyn is _ a unique pattern here because jeremy corbyn is standing as an independent against _ corbyn is standing as an independent against the _ corbyn is standing as an independent against the labour party, the party which _ against the labour party, the party which he _ against the labour party, the party which he was once in need of, and as i say. _ which he was once in need of, and as i say. it— which he was once in need of, and as i say. it is_ which he was once in need of, and as i say. it is a _ which he was once in need of, and as i say, it is a unique battle. in terms — i say, it is a unique battle. in terms of— i say, it is a unique battle. in terms of how his team are feeling, i think— terms of how his team are feeling, i think you _ terms of how his team are feeling, i think you are — terms of how his team are feeling, i think you are feeling positive, but it is interesting that no one really wants— it is interesting that no one really wants to — it is interesting that no one really wants to talk to us, because i think the result— wants to talk to us, because i think the result at — wants to talk to us, because i think the result at the moment in terms of predicting _ the result at the moment in terms of predicting it — the result at the moment in terms of predicting it is quite uncertain. jeremy— predicting it is quite uncertain. jeremy corbyn standing as an independent candidate against the lahour— independent candidate against the labour candidate, who has yet to arrive, _ labour candidate, who has yet to arrive, but — labour candidate, who has yet to arrive, but we have also been

waiting — arrive, but we have also been waiting for— arrive, but we have also been waiting for emily thornberry, a candidate — waiting for emily thornberry, a candidate in the islington south and finsbury— candidate in the islington south and finsbury ct was well. the hard work is continuing, verification for most of the _ is continuing, verification for most of the areas — is continuing, verification for most of the areas is now complete, so the accounting _ of the areas is now complete, so the accounting is — of the areas is now complete, so the accounting is well under way, lots of sweets— accounting is well under way, lots of sweets laid out on tables, the tranks— of sweets laid out on tables, the banks have not yet been opened but i saw one _ banks have not yet been opened but i saw one of— banks have not yet been opened but i saw one of the counters are wrapping a banana _ saw one of the counters are wrapping a banana so — saw one of the counters are wrapping a banana. so clearly, they need a bit more — a banana. so clearly, they need a bit more energy.— a banana. so clearly, they need a bit more ener: . ~ ., .,, bit more energy. weenie some bananas the studio. bit more energy. weenie some bananas the studi0- i — bit more energy. weenie some bananas the studio. i have _ bit more energy. weenie some bananas the studio. i have only _ bit more energy. weenie some bananas the studio. i have only got _ bit more energy. weenie some bananas the studio. i have only got a _ bit more energy. weenie some bananas the studio. i have only got a bit - bit more energy. weenie some bananas the studio. i have only got a bit of - the studio. i have only got a bit of fruit and nuts. i suggest that. you have got some? i fruit and nuts. i suggest that. you have got some?— fruit and nuts. i suggest that. you have got some? i am going to have one of those _ have got some? i am going to have one of those later _ have got some? i am going to have one of those later on. _ have got some? i am going to have one of those later on. on _ have got some? i am going to have one of those later on. on camera, | have got some? i am going to havej one of those later on. on camera, i hasten to add. _ one of those later on. on camera, i hasten to add. you _ one of those later on. on camera, i hasten to add. you are _ one of those later on. on camera, i hasten to add. you are enjoying - hasten to add. you are enjoying themselves far too much. i want to take you to our clinic in rosslare,

aleem maqbool. people will remember that george galloway came blasting backin that george galloway came blasting back in and when the by—election there, trying to hang on to hang onto white, but facing competition from the former journalist, onto white, but facing competition from the formerjournalist, paul waugh standing for the labour party. what is your sense of how it is going? what is your sense of how it is aroin ? . what is your sense of how it is oiiin ? . , ., , what is your sense of how it is iroin? . , ., what is your sense of how it is going? recent polls have shown it is close, going? recent polls have shown it is close. labour— going? recent polls have shown it is close, labour party _ going? recent polls have shown it is close, labour party members - going? recent polls have shown it is close, labour party members who i going? recent polls have shown it is i close, labour party members who have a look at some sampling seem a touch more relaxed than at the beginning of the evening. it is extraordinary, given the national picture you have been talking about what we are talking about labour being nervous in seats which were then five labour strongholds, mike losail, at about two weeks ago, they called for more help canvassing in arbaces they considered battleground seats, a similar profile where, in some cases, they won in 20 dean bowmer

than 20 boats, what do these places have come, hailu muslim populations, and the feeling is that there will be in a lot of those constituencies a protest vote against the way keir starmer at the labour party have handled the taza process, the fact that they abstain from that november sees firebird for example. —— the guys sees firebird for example. —— the quys up sees firebird for example. —— the guys up crisis. —— gaza crisis. there were arbaces to look out in birmingham, perry barr, leicester sout, the bradford seats, as well, and other lancashire seats in blackburn, for example. as i say, interesting, given everything that is going on. but potentially, the muslim vote for —— from 2019 could have gone from around 80% to perhaps 60%, but that has also led to a map

of apathy among muslim voters if research is to believe. {line of apathy among muslim voters if research is to believe.— research is to believe. one of the interesting _ research is to believe. one of the interesting patterns _ research is to believe. one of the interesting patterns that - research is to believe. one of the interesting patterns that will i research is to believe. one of the interesting patterns that will be l interesting patterns that will be looking artwork, notjust in rochdale, where there was that enormous impact of the by—election earlier. in those early declarations we have had, the reform vote going up, beating the conservatives into second in the number of those seats, all of them being held by labour or when by labour in the case of swindon, by labourfrom when by labour in the case of swindon, by labour from the conservatives. and one of the seats that they are keeping their eyes, the reform is our smooth, where lee anderson is standing, a local pool, a miner, started out as a labour councillor then went to the conservatives, then he was an independent, now standing for reform and they will be hoping that they should be able to win.

lee anderson says that his views on politics— lee anderson says that his views on politics have not changed, but the parties _ politics have not changed, but the parties are. lee anderson is not herei _ parties are. lee anderson is not here, the — parties are. lee anderson is not here, the election agents and people representing the parties. bringing the camera over my shoulder for a little _ the camera over my shoulder for a little bit _ the camera over my shoulder for a little bit of— the camera over my shoulder for a little bit of behind the scenes at arsenal, — little bit of behind the scenes at arsenal, some of the accounting has been rather— arsenal, some of the accounting has been rather close. reid had spoken to party— been rather close. reid had spoken to party officials who are standing with clipboards. they have the ability — with clipboards. they have the ability to — with clipboards. they have the ability to look at the ballot papers _ ability to look at the ballot papers. the secrecy of the vote is guaranteed — papers. the secrecy of the vote is guaranteed that they get to have a look at _ guaranteed that they get to have a look at what is cast, the boxes have xs on— look at what is cast, the boxes have xs on them, — look at what is cast, the boxes have xs on them, they are saying that is member— xs on them, they are saying that is member country men that let birds, it is about _ member country men that let birds, it is about 2%—3% lead, to reform. we spoke — it is about 2%—3% lead, to reform. we spoke to— it is about 2%—3% lead, to reform. we spoke to the same people from the

lahour— we spoke to the same people from the labour party representing their candidate, and they say that it is too close — candidate, and they say that it is too close to call. for want of an old political expression, mandy rice davies, _ old political expression, mandy rice davies, they were say that, wouldn't they? _ davies, they were say that, wouldn't they? but— davies, they were say that, wouldn't they? but the scandal he was not the price of— they? but the scandal he was not the price of the _ they? but the scandal he was not the price of the coffee, but it turns out that — price of the coffee, but it turns out that they do not have to take cards, _ out that they do not have to take cards, you — out that they do not have to take cards, you have to have cash only, so it _ cards, you have to have cash only, so it is— cards, you have to have cash only, so it is a _ cards, you have to have cash only, so it is a bit— cards, you have to have cash only, so it is a bit like the old—fashioned route, but people are keeping _ old—fashioned route, but people are keeping their arrival in lee anderson, and if they don't share that we _ anderson, and if they don't share that we are — anderson, and if they don't share that we are seeing in other constituencies is anything to go by, lee anderson, although he's not here at the _ lee anderson, although he's not here at the moment, he will certainly encouraged by them.— at the moment, he will certainly encouraged by them. thank you, for that, encouraged by them. thank you, for that. shaun. — encouraged by them. thank you, for that. shaun. at— encouraged by them. thank you, for that, shaun, at the _ encouraged by them. thank you, for that, shaun, at the ashworth - encouraged by them. thank you, for that, shaun, at the ashworth campl encouraged by them. thank you, for. that, shaun, at the ashworth camp in nottinghamshire. thank you joining us here, it looks like you party is heading for an absolute majority. if keir starmer has such resounding support from the country in the

shape of a majority of 170, you are a prominent figure on the left of the party, you have not always been content with how he handled things. do you think the left have a responsibility, basic —— basically, to fall into line? responsibility, basic -- basically, to fall into line?— to fall into line? viola davis -a . to fall into line? viola davis party- we — to fall into line? viola davis party- we need _ to fall into line? viola davis party. we need to - to fall into line? viola davis party. we need to look i to fall into line? viola davis party. we need to look at i to fall into line? viola davis i party. we need to look at these results. — party. we need to look at these results, and some of these results, first of— results, and some of these results, first of all. — results, and some of these results, first of all. -- — results, and some of these results, first of all, —— houara metal party. i am _ first of all, —— houara metal party. i am in _ first of all, —— houara metal party. i am in politics to serve and to be in government, being in opposition is not _ in government, being in opposition is not fun — in government, being in opposition is not fun. when i entered into thousand — is not fun. when i entered into thousand five that was in government, and i said wearily under blair and _ government, and i said wearily under blair and brown, government, and i said wearily under blairand brown, so i am government, and i said wearily under blair and brown, so i am and will labour— blair and brown, so i am and will labour politician who wants to be in government, to govern for the people and i'm _ government, to govern for the people and i'm excited about that. some government, to govern for the people and i'm excited about that.— and i'm excited about that. some of our and i'm excited about that. some of your colleagues _ and i'm excited about that. some of your colleagues on _ and i'm excited about that. some of your colleagues on the _ and i'm excited about that. some of your colleagues on the left - and i'm excited about that. some of your colleagues on the left make i and i'm excited about that. some of your colleagues on the left make no secret of being unhappy about how the leadership treated diane abbott

and yet sometimes, keir starmer's people might say that we have a right to be ruthless and to put out people like you are firmer london labour mp colleague, jeremy corbyn. it is not about being ruthless part about _ it is not about being ruthless part about being in politics and doing the right— about being in politics and doing the right thing. how diane abbott was treated was wrong. in the end she had _ was treated was wrong. in the end she had returned, and hopefully she will be _ she had returned, and hopefully she will be returned as a labour mp. what _ will be returned as a labour mp. what is — will be returned as a labour mp. what is important, and what these results _ what is important, and what these results are — what is important, and what these results are showing, is that the country— results are showing, is that the country rejected the tories resoundingly, and they rejected the politics— resoundingly, and they rejected the politics of— resoundingly, and they rejected the politics of hate, they rejected all of the _ politics of hate, they rejected all of the culture rules, they rejected all of— of the culture rules, they rejected all of the — of the culture rules, they rejected all of the stuff around the ppe scandals. _ all of the stuff around the ppe scandals, so we have to govern very differently _ scandals, so we have to govern very differently from a government that has been _ differently from a government that has been roundly rejected by the public, _ has been roundly rejected by the public, and that is what we have to

take from — public, and that is what we have to take from this.— public, and that is what we have to take from this. what do you make of what we have _ take from this. what do you make of what we have from _ take from this. what do you make of what we have from our— take from this. what do you make of what we have from our colleague i take from this. what do you make of what we have from our colleague in l what we have from our colleague in rochdale where george galloway won in february, but there might be quite a few seats where, actually, some voters, particularly those concerned about the party's position on gaza, may have turned away because of that. could labour lose out in some places where they might otherwise have looked at, because of the party's position? that otherwise have looked at, because of the party's position?— the party's position? that is something _ the party's position? that is something that _ the party's position? that is something that has - the party's position? that is something that has to i the party's position? that is something that has to be i the party's position? that is - something that has to be considered. if these _ something that has to be considered. if these exit polls are to be believed, and they are the most reliable — believed, and they are the most reliable polls, although the polls, how we _ reliable polls, although the polls, how we do business and how we do international business, and how we approach _ international business, and how we approach that, needs to be duly considered. and the party's current position— considered. and the party's current position is— considered. and the party's current position is the right position. we can see position is the right position. , can see rachel reeves at her account in leeds, she is well on track to

being the first female chancellor. there she is at her account in leeds. we will see if that comes to pass. what is interesting about the share of labour's vote so far, and according to the exit poll, is that it could well be that keir starmer has a working majority of 170, but actually on a lower share of the boat byjeremy corbyn. actually on a lower share of the boat by jeremy corbyn.- actually on a lower share of the boat by jeremy corbyn. really, you have to compare _ boat by jeremy corbyn. really, you have to compare it _ boat by jeremy corbyn. really, you have to compare it to _ boat by jeremy corbyn. really, you have to compare it to the _ boat by jeremy corbyn. really, you have to compare it to the tory i boat by jeremy corbyn. really, you l have to compare it to the tory share of the _ have to compare it to the tory share of the vote — have to compare it to the tory share of the vote. at the last election what _ of the vote. at the last election what did — of the vote. at the last election what did they click, 37%, the lowest share _ what did they click, 37%, the lowest share of— what did they click, 37%, the lowest share of the — what did they click, 37%, the lowest share of the vote in 23 years and a certain— share of the vote in 23 years and a certain government. what we need to talk about— certain government. what we need to talk about is— certain government. what we need to talk about is that they have a right to govern — talk about is that they have a right to govern with that, so let's look at where — to govern with that, so let's look at where we [and at the end of this and what _ at where we [and at the end of this and what may be's sure would be, and at the _ and what may be's sure would be, and at the end _ and what may be's sure would be, and at the end of— and what may be's sure would be, and at the end of the day, we will hopefully be in government. given that share. — hopefully be in government. given that share, for _ hopefully be in government. given that share, forjeremy _ hopefully be in government. given that share, forjeremy corbyn i hopefully be in government. given that share, forjeremy corbyn in i that share, forjeremy corbyn in 2017, does that potentially means that even with a majority of 170,

people on the left will feel that they have even more of a right to make their voice heard, from the backbenches? i make their voice heard, from the backbenches?— backbenches? i think what the discussion _ backbenches? i think what the discussion will _ backbenches? i think what the discussion will be _ backbenches? i think what the discussion will be about i backbenches? i think what the discussion will be about is i discussion will be about is proportional representation, pr. lots proportional representation, pr. lots of— proportional representation, pr. lots of people will be talking about pr. lots of people will be talking about pr~ the _ lots of people will be talking about pr. the people, public, will be talking — pr. the people, public, will be talking about proportional representation and whether we should have a _ representation and whether we should have a debate about it, and i have always _ have a debate about it, and i have always said — have a debate about it, and i have always said that we do, i had read the country, because you need to look of— the country, because you need to look of the — the country, because you need to look of the greens vote, the lib denis, — look of the greens vote, the lib dems, labour, and do the number crunching — dems, labour, and do the number crunching when we see that. the conservatives _ crunching when we see that. he conservatives won crunching when we see that. tia: conservatives won 43.6% of the event the last time round, a bit higher value suggesting. d0 the last time round, a bit higher value suggesting.— the last time round, a bit higher value suggesting. do you think that is ioini value suggesting. do you think that is iioin to value suggesting. do you think that is going to come. — value suggesting. do you think that is going to come, the _ value suggesting. do you think that is going to come, the conversation | is going to come, the conversation about the voting system at the selection? i about the voting system at the selection?— about the voting system at the

selection? ~ ,., , ., ~' selection? i think so. if you think about it, there _ selection? i think so. if you think about it, there is _ selection? i think so. if you think about it, there is debate - selection? i think so. if you think about it, there is debate about i selection? i think so. if you think. about it, there is debate about pr. and i— about it, there is debate about pr. and i think— about it, there is debate about pr. and i think there always has been a debate, _ and i think there always has been a debate, but i don't even stronger nowi _ debate, but i don't even stronger now. there — debate, but i don't even stronger now, there will be a debate around pr, after— now, there will be a debate around pr, after this. now, there will be a debate around pr, afterthis. but now, there will be a debate around pr. afterthis.— pr, after this. but not in the hiiher pr, after this. but not in the higher echelons _ pr, after this. but not in the higher echelons of _ pr, after this. but not in the higher echelons of the i pr, after this. but not in the| higher echelons of the labour pr, after this. but not in the i higher echelons of the labour party if you get a majority of 170 under first past the post.— if you get a majority of 170 under first past the post. indeed, it has delivered keir starmer believed it was a good system but it did not make it into the labour party manifesto. thank you for now. let's take a look. you are suggesting the turnout in lots of places has not been great and the vote share for labour, despite what looks like it will be a whopping majority may actually not be as convincing as the way the conservatives won a majority of 80

backin 2019. six seats declared so far and we're looking _ six seats declared so far and we're looking at— six seats declared so far and we're looking at 54% turnout, based on those _ looking at 54% turnout, based on those six — looking at 54% turnout, based on those six seats, which is, you know, it is not— those six seats, which is, you know, it is not resounding really, is it? 54% _ it is not resounding really, is it? 54% was — it is not resounding really, is it? 54% was what we got in central. let me show— 54% was what we got in central. let me show you the whole graph because it nrakes— me show you the whole graph because it makes for— me show you the whole graph because it makes for interesting reading. we io it makes for interesting reading. we go right— it makes for interesting reading. we go right back to 1980 when margaret thatcher— go right back to 1980 when margaret thatcher was in power, and you can see the _ thatcher was in power, and you can see the heady days of turnout were in the _ see the heady days of turnout were in the high — see the heady days of turnout were in the high 70s. they went up actually— in the high 70s. they went up actually in _ in the high 70s. they went up actually in 1992. peaking at a little — actually in 1992. peaking at a little bit _ actually in 1992. peaking at a little bit below 82%, then something of a decline after 1997, when tony blair— of a decline after 1997, when tony blair came — of a decline after 1997, when tony blair came in, we have blair, brown, cameron. _ blair came in, we have blair, brown, cameron, made, johnson. the eagle eyed amongst you will see where is

liz truss, but there are no election sport— liz truss, but there are no election sport when— liz truss, but there are no election sport when she was prime minister which _ sport when she was prime minister which is _ sport when she was prime minister which is why she is not here on our chart— which is why she is not here on our chart -- _ which is why she is not here on our chart -- may _ which is why she is not here on our chart —— may. at the moment we are suggesting _ chart —— may. at the moment we are suggesting 54%. that will change over the — suggesting 54%. that will change over the night because we have many, many— over the night because we have many, many more _ over the night because we have many, many more results to come in but it looks— many more results to come in but it looks as _ many more results to come in but it looks as if. — many more results to come in but it looks as if, our number crunches are suggesting. — looks as if, our number crunches are suggesting, we might be on course in 2024 to— suggesting, we might be on course in 2024 to have a turnout roughly around — 2024 to have a turnout roughly around what there was in 2005. that was tony— around what there was in 2005. that was tony blair's third victory, and a turnout — was tony blair's third victory, and a turnout there of roughly 60% or so, a turnout there of roughly 60% or so. a _ a turnout there of roughly 60% or so. a little — a turnout there of roughly 60% or so, a little bit higher than 60%. anyway. — so, a little bit higher than 60%. anyway, we will be keeping an eye on that but— anyway, we will be keeping an eye on that but that is where we are at the moment. _ that but that is where we are at the moment, laura. that but that is where we are at the moment. lama-— that but that is where we are at the moment, laura. really interesting to see it in that— moment, laura. really interesting to see it in that historical _ moment, laura. really interesting to see it in that historical context, i see it in that historical context, when you see voters really, really engage, and maybe this time that won't happen, but plenty of data still to be put into one of those graphs as the night develops. well, let's show you again the results of that exit poll. labour's hopes very

much their dreams come true and this will be something like the real result will be will be something like the real result will he get it in full by the end of the night. labourjust disappeared, they were on 410 seats projected, with the tories crashing to 131 seats projected, lower than they were back in 1997 when tony blair did not quite wipe them out. the liberal democrats forecast also to have had an extremely successful night on 61, but you can see there, reforms suggested they are on course for 13 seats —— reform. we are being very cautious about the smaller parties like reform and the snp, who the exit poll puts on ten seats. that would be an absolute thumping for the party who has been in control of the scottish parliament in holyrood for some time. they are expecting to slide back but perhaps not quite that low a level. and the greens on two. they were targeting four seats very reluctantly, but the exit polls suggest they will have

taken an extra one. the big headline, keir starmer on the front of old broadcasting house with a projected 410 seats.— of old broadcasting house with a projected 410 seats. chris masoe, our political _ projected 410 seats. chris masoe, our political editor, _ projected 410 seats. chris masoe, our political editor, is _ projected 410 seats. chris masoe, our political editor, is here. i our political editor, is here. a couple of nuggets. the liberal democrats. — couple of nuggets. the liberal democrats, just _ couple of nuggets. the liberal democrats, just picking i couple of nuggets. the liberal democrats, just picking up i couple of nuggets. the liberal democrats, just picking up on | couple of nuggets. the liberal- democrats, just picking up on their numbers. — democrats, just picking up on their numbers, they are wearing broad smiles _ numbers, they are wearing broad smiles tonight, they are talking about— smiles tonight, they are talking about davies's doesn't cover the 12 seats— about davies's doesn't cover the 12 seats they— about davies's doesn't cover the 12 seats they are declaring victory, and i— seats they are declaring victory, and i won't _ seats they are declaring victory, and i won't read them all, butjust and i won't read them all, butjust a couple _ and i won't read them all, butjust a couple to— and i won't read them all, butjust a couple to catch the eye. wimbledon in south—west london, cheadle and hazel— in south—west london, cheadle and hazel grove — in south—west london, cheadle and hazel grove in greater manchester, wokingham, formerly the seat ofjohn redwood. _ wokingham, formerly the seat ofjohn redwood, and they also think they may well— redwood, and they also think they may well have won in tunbridge wells in kent. _ may well have won in tunbridge wells in kent, which i'm told last winter liberat— in kent, which i'm told last winter liberal in — in kent, which i'm told last winter liberal in 1906. —— last went liberat _ liberal in 1906. —— last went liberat so _ liberal in 1906. —— last went liberal. so they are pretty confident there. and also harpenden and esher— confident there. and also harpenden and esher in surrey. he sure was the seat of— and esher in surrey. he sure was the seat of the _ and esher in surrey. he sure was the seat of the former deputy prime minister— seat of the former deputy prime minister dominic raab, who is standing — minister dominic raab, who is standing down at the election. but 'ust standing down at the election. but just a _ standing down at the election. but just a sense of where the geography

of where _ just a sense of where the geography of where the lib dems are feeling confident — of where the lib dems are feeling confident. of course we await actual results _ confident. of course we await actual results and — confident. of course we await actual results and all of those. the confident. of course we await actual results and all of those.— results and all of those. the lib dems coming — results and all of those. the lib dems coming pp _ results and all of those. the lib dems coming up with _ results and all of those. the lib dems coming up with davies i results and all of those. the lib i dems coming up with davies doesn't, congratulations for them coming up with the night! congratulations, lib dems. ., with the night! congratulations, lib dems. . , dems. labour sources reckon according _ dems. labour sources reckon according to _ dems. labour sources reckon according to their— dems. labour sources reckon according to their data - dems. labour sources reckon l according to their data perhaps dems. labour sources reckon i according to their data perhaps 13 for reform, is projected in the exit pou. _ for reform, is projected in the exit poll. might— for reform, is projected in the exit poll, might be at the upper end of where _ poll, might be at the upper end of where reform and up. have you had any hint from _ where reform and up. have you had any hint from labour— where reform and up. have you had any hint from labour hq _ where reform and up. have you had any hint from labour hq of - any hint from labour hq of nervousness about some of their seats, even perhaps going to reform, because i've been hearing a bit of that. . . , because i've been hearing a bit of that. , ., , ., , ., , that. keeping an eye on some seats in south yorkshire _ that. keeping an eye on some seats in south yorkshire and _ that. keeping an eye on some seats in south yorkshire and elsewhere, l that. keeping an eye on some seats. in south yorkshire and elsewhere, so yes, in south yorkshire and elsewhere, so yes. and _ in south yorkshire and elsewhere, so yes. and of— in south yorkshire and elsewhere, so yes, and of course both of these things— yes, and of course both of these things could be true, couldn't they? 0ne things could be true, couldn't they? one little _ things could be true, couldn't they? one little nugget, our bbc colleagues in basildon and billericay where the conservative party chairman richard holden did one of the quickest chicken run is you have ever seen in your life, stampeding to try to find himself a safe seat, but our colleagues there

are suggesting richard holden, who as conservative chair theoretically should be in charge of this campaign, but he may well end up actually losing his seat, so we will bring you more news from there but that would be another scalp for the conservative party to lose to labour. �* . . conservative party to lose to labour. �*, ., ., , , conservative party to lose to labour. �*, ., ., ,, �*, ., labour. it's all happening, it's all happening. _ labour. it's all happening, it's all happening. but — labour. it's all happening, it's all happening, but what's _ labour. it's all happening, it's all happening, but what's happening labour. it's all happening, it's all- happening, but what's happening with the person it seems as if we'll be coming the prime minister, sir keir starmer? his seat of course, holborn and st pancras in north london, and fiona bruce is there. what are you hearing? ikla fiona bruce is there. what are you hearini ? ., ., , ,, fiona bruce is there. what are you hearini? ., ., , ,, ., hearing? no nervousness about losing our seat, i hearing? no nervousness about losing your seat. i have _ hearing? no nervousness about losing your seat, i have to _ hearing? no nervousness about losing your seat, i have to say, _ hearing? no nervousness about losing your seat, i have to say, the _ your seat, i have to say, the counting _ your seat, i have to say, the counting is _ your seat, i have to say, the counting is taking place now, they have _ counting is taking place now, they have twice — counting is taking place now, they have twice the number of counties here they— have twice the number of counties here they had last time around, and honestly— here they had last time around, and honestly this is a very big night for holborn and st pancras. let me 'ust for holborn and st pancras. let me just show— for holborn and st pancras. let me just show you. you have the ranks of desk people — just show you. you have the ranks of desk people can think of are actually— desk people can think of are actually two constituencies being counted. — actually two constituencies being counted, holborn and st pancras, and

then hampstead and highgate, which is a new— then hampstead and highgate, which is a new constituency. keir starmer is a new constituency. keir starmer is due _ is a new constituency. keir starmer is due to _ is a new constituency. keir starmer is due to arrive here we think at 2am _ is due to arrive here we think at 2am or— is due to arrive here we think at 2am or 2:30am is due to arrive here we think at 2am or2:30am and is due to arrive here we think at 2am or 2:30am and that is when we will get _ 2am or 2:30am and that is when we will get the — 2am or 2:30am and that is when we will get the result. we are all waiting — will get the result. we are all waiting for his moment, ijust thought— waiting for his moment, ijust thought i— waiting for his moment, ijust thought i would show you a bit behind — thought i would show you a bit behind the scenes what it's like when _ behind the scenes what it's like when you — behind the scenes what it's like when you are waiting for the man who we think— when you are waiting for the man who we think is— when you are waiting for the man who we think is likely to be prime minister— we think is likely to be prime minister turning up. we think is likely to be prime ministerturning up. here we think is likely to be prime minister turning up. here we are with my— minister turning up. here we are with my colleagues, as you can see, a very— with my colleagues, as you can see, a very glamorous set up, and there is a and _ a very glamorous set up, and there is a and that— a very glamorous set up, and there is a and that kind thing if you will everyone — is a and that kind thing if you will everyone keeping on going. one thing i have _ everyone keeping on going. one thing i have managed to find out, i have to say— i have managed to find out, i have to say labour are being very disciplined about what they are saying — disciplined about what they are saying is — disciplined about what they are saying is the night wears on. they are keeping a very tight rein on things. — are keeping a very tight rein on things. i— are keeping a very tight rein on things, i have been texting mps, left. _ things, i have been texting mps, left. right— things, i have been texting mps, left, right and centre. what we do know _ left, right and centre. what we do know is— left, right and centre. what we do know is there is an event happening in central— know is there is an event happening in central london after discount, and party— in central london after discount, and party activists and staff will be there. — and party activists and staff will be there, it is a place in central london. — be there, it is a place in central london, they are not confirming keir starmer— london, they are not confirming keir starmer will— london, they are not confirming keir starmer will turn up to be honest i'd be _ starmer will turn up to be honest i'd be very— starmer will turn up to be honest i'd be very surprised if he doesn't. and then — i'd be very surprised if he doesn't. and then we — i'd be very surprised if he doesn't. and then we will be trying to follow him there _ and then we will be trying to follow him there and see what happens later on. ., ., ., ~ i.

him there and see what happens later on. ., ., ., ~ , ., on. ok, fiona, thank you. gateshead central and — on. ok, fiona, thank you. gateshead central and wycombe _ on. ok, fiona, thank you. gateshead central and wycombe apparently i on. ok, fiona, thank you. gateshead central and wycombe apparently is i central and wycombe apparently is another labour hold. they have hung onto that seat. mark ferguson is the new mp there. onto that seat. mark ferguson is the new mp there-— onto that seat. mark ferguson is the new mp there. more on that as we get u . new mp there. more on that as we get u- or let's new mp there. more on that as we get up or let's say — new mp there. more on that as we get up or let's say hello _ new mp there. more on that as we get up or let's say hello to _ new mp there. more on that as we get up or let's say hello to diana _ up or let's say hello to diana davidson, former conservative mp, one of the standout victories last time round, good to have you with this in the studio and we are rejoined by lord mandelson. diana, when you look at the kind of results we are expecting, this absolute historic crash of the conservative party, such a stark difference to when you were elected. what do you think has caused it? its, when you were elected. what do you think has caused it?— think has caused it? a range of reasons. think has caused it? a range of reasons- we — think has caused it? a range of reasons. we have _ think has caused it? a range of reasons. we have been - think has caused it? a range of reasons. we have been in i think has caused it? a range of. reasons. we have been in power think has caused it? a range of i reasons. we have been in power for 14 reasons. we have been in power for m years~ _ reasons. we have been in power for m years it— reasons. we have been in power for 14 years. it would be very unusual for a _ 14 years. it would be very unusual for a government to win again after 14 for a government to win again after m years. _ for a government to win again after 14 years, you know, over the course

of a parliament you make mistakes, over the _ of a parliament you make mistakes, over the course of, what are we on, five? you _ over the course of, what are we on, five? you are — over the course of, what are we on, five? you are bound to make mistakes and take _ five? you are bound to make mistakes and take off _ five? you are bound to make mistakes and take off a lot of people, so i'm not particularly surprised the cycle was due _ not particularly surprised the cycle was due to — not particularly surprised the cycle was due to come around, but on this scale. _ was due to come around, but on this scale, particularly when contrasted to 2019. _ scale, particularly when contrasted to 2019, does feel difficult as a conservative. i am a conservative, i believe _ conservative. i am a conservative, i believe in _ conservative. i am a conservative, i believe in conservative values and i firmly— believe in conservative values and i firmly believe, respectfully, peter, that we_ firmly believe, respectfully, peter, that we do— firmly believe, respectfully, peter, that we do a betterjob than the other— that we do a betterjob than the other guys. so to see people who i consider— other guys. so to see people who i consider friends who have put their all who— consider friends who have put their all who are — consider friends who have put their all who are set to lose it through no fault — all who are set to lose it through no fault of— all who are set to lose it through no fault of their own, it is devastating.— no fault of their own, it is devastating. no fault of their own, it is devastatini. ., , ., ., ., devastating. you say it is a natural iendulum devastating. you say it is a natural pendulum swing. _ devastating. you say it is a natural pendulum swing, and _ devastating. you say it is a natural pendulum swing, and maybe i devastating. you say it is a natural pendulum swing, and maybe that| devastating. you say it is a natural| pendulum swing, and maybe that is part of what's going on tonight, but you also mention mistakes, so what were the mistakes do you think? i think the biggest mistake our party has made _ think the biggest mistake our party has made probably over the past three _ has made probably over the past three to — has made probably over the past three to four years is getting too used _ three to four years is getting too used to— three to four years is getting too used to being in power and forgetting who the true opposition is. forgetting who the true opposition is we _ forgetting who the true opposition is we are — forgetting who the true opposition is. we are supposed to be a united force _ is. we are supposed to be a united force fighting against the other guys. — force fighting against the other guys, fighting against opposition parties. — guys, fighting against opposition parties, putting forth a united conservative front and i think we lost sight — conservative front and i think we lost sight of that over the past few years _ lost sight of that over the past few years and — lost sight of that over the past few years and have found so many factions — years and have found so many factions within our own that the infighting — factions within our own that the infighting has begun and we have

been _ infighting has begun and we have been frankly airing a lot of our dirty— been frankly airing a lot of our dirtylinen— been frankly airing a lot of our dirty linen in public in a way that i don't _ dirty linen in public in a way that i don't think it's dignified for any party _ i don't think it's dignified for any party i— i don't think it's dignified for any .a . ., �* i don't think it's dignified for any party. i don't know if you have the form of comments _ party. i don't know if you have the form of comments about - party. i don't know if you have the form of comments about not i party. i don't know if you have the l form of comments about not telling the truth, a political circus can you say it is the last three or four years when things have appeared to have been divided and voters don't really like it, but actually may be happened a long time before that. three or four years ago it was only 2021. before that you got rid of two prime ministers, david cameron had to quit after the referendum, theresa may was had out. who do you hold responsible because it is not like you suddenly started squabbling a couple of years ago? i like you suddenly started squabbling a couple of years ago?— a couple of years ago? i think the euro iean a couple of years ago? i think the european debate _ a couple of years ago? i think the european debate has _ a couple of years ago? i think the european debate has existed i a couple of years ago? i think the i european debate has existed within the party— european debate has existed within the party for decades, and as soon as that _ the party for decades, and as soon as that was — the party for decades, and as soon as that was to some extent settled, it seemed _ as that was to some extent settled, it seemed we had to find any squabble, and new thing to fight over~ _ squabble, and new thing to fight over~ we — squabble, and new thing to fight over. we have been fighting over the

culture _ over. we have been fighting over the culture war— over. we have been fighting over the culture war issues of economic policy. — culture war issues of economic policy, taxation, whether we should cut taxes— policy, taxation, whether we should cut taxes whatever. and it has been 'ust cut taxes whatever. and it has been iust reatly— cut taxes whatever. and it has been just really devastating to see because _ just really devastating to see because as i say, airing all of that dirty— because as i say, airing all of that dirty linen— because as i say, airing all of that dirty linen in public, i don't think there _ dirty linen in public, i don't think there is— dirty linen in public, i don't think there is a single individual responsible, i think many people in the morning, later on in the morning. _ the morning, later on in the morning, once the dust has settled a little bit _ morning, once the dust has settled a little bit further, there are a lot of us _ little bit further, there are a lot of us who— little bit further, there are a lot of us who have to take a long, hard look at _ of us who have to take a long, hard look at the — of us who have to take a long, hard look at the mirror and accept responsibility for the position we in now. — responsibility for the position we in now, notjust that responsibility for the position we in now, not just that we are facing a crushing — in now, not just that we are facing a crushing loss, but also responsibility to the country because _ responsibility to the country because as i say i firmly believe the approach is better, i think the conservative government would do a better— conservative government would do a betterjob _ conservative government would do a betterjob than the liberal government i if you like in that sense — government i if you like in that sense we — government i if you like in that sense we are letting the country down _ sense we are letting the country down. ., _ ' sense we are letting the country down. ., ' i.” sense we are letting the country down. ., ' ,~ , sense we are letting the country down. ., ,~ sense we are letting the country down. ., ' ,~ , ., ., down. you say 14 years as a long time, down. you say 14 years as a long time. and _ down. you say 14 years as a long time. and no _ down. you say 14 years as a long time, and no government- down. you say 14 years as a long time, and no government could l time, and no government could recharge itself after that length of time and it is probably inevitable that you lose power. do you think the rot set in back in 2010? the

charge from a lot of those people who are voting reform, who have moved to labour, is that the country has gone to the dogs. so, trains, dreadful, sewage and the rivers, schools falling apart, a military that cannot defend these islands. a sense of decline. is there any suggestion that that perhaps goes back to that austerity budget of 2010? i back to that austerity budget of 2010? “ back to that austerity budget of 2010? 4' , back to that austerity budget of 2010? ~ , , ., , 2010? i think there is probably a irain of 2010? i think there is probably a grain of truth — 2010? i think there is probably a grain of truth to _ 2010? i think there is probably a grain of truth to that _ 2010? i think there is probably a grain of truth to that but - 2010? i think there is probably a i grain of truth to that but when you look at _ grain of truth to that but when you look at the — grain of truth to that but when you look at the wider infrastructure problems— look at the wider infrastructure problems around sewage and our trains. _ problems around sewage and our trains. i— problems around sewage and our trains, ithink problems around sewage and our trains, i think it goes back generations frankly, generations of short—sighted political cycles of trying _ short—sighted political cycles of trying to— short—sighted political cycles of trying to get the next quick win and not taking — trying to get the next quick win and not taking those long—term decisions investment— not taking those long—term decisions investment that will be better in the long—term future. we look at our sewage _ the long—term future. we look at our sewage infrastructure is one example. there has been decades of underinvestment in that sea can't pin that _ underinvestment in that sea can't pin thatjust to underinvestment in that sea can't pin that just to a conservative government. but pin thatjust to a conservative government-—

pin thatjust to a conservative government. pin thatjust to a conservative iovernment. �* ., ., ., ' government. but hang on, you had 14 ears. government. but hang on, you had 14 years- sure. — government. but hang on, you had 14 years- sure. and _ government. but hang on, you had 14 years. sure, and your _ government. but hang on, you had 14 years. sure, and your big _ government. but hang on, you had 14 years. sure, and your big mantra i government. but hang on, you had 14 years. sure, and your big mantra has| years. sure, and your big mantra has been to cut — years. sure, and your big mantra has been to cut taxes, _ years. sure, and your big mantra has been to cut taxes, if _ years. sure, and your big mantra has been to cut taxes, if you _ years. sure, and your big mantra has been to cut taxes, if you cut - years. sure, and your big mantra has been to cut taxes, if you cut taxes i been to cut taxes, if you cut taxes and you don't have any growth, that means you don't have any money did all that stuff. fine means you don't have any money did all that stuff-— all that stuff. are right, but that is why great _ all that stuff. are right, but that is why great is — all that stuff. are right, but that is why great is so _ all that stuff. are right, but that is why great is so important. i all that stuff. are right, but that l is why great is so important. that takes time- _ is why great is so important. that takes time. yeah _ is why great is so important. that takes time. yeah of _ is why great is so important. tisgt takes time. yeah of course it does. isn't the problem that in the austerity— isn't the problem that in the austerity years _ isn't the problem that in the austerity years of _ isn't the problem that in the austerity years of mr- isn't the problem that in the i austerity years of mr cameron and george _ austerity years of mr cameron and george osborne. _ austerity years of mr cameron and george osborne, the _ austerity years of mr cameron and george osborne, the capital- george osborne, the capital spending. _ george osborne, the capital spending, investment- george osborne, the capital spending, investment in- george osborne, the capital spending, investment in our infrastructure _ spending, investment in our infrastructure was— spending, investment in our infrastructure was cut - spending, investment in our infrastructure was cut to i spending, investment in our- infrastructure was cut to shreds? i mean. _ infrastructure was cut to shreds? i mean. there — infrastructure was cut to shreds? i mean. there is— infrastructure was cut to shreds? i mean. there is a— infrastructure was cut to shreds? i mean, there is a lot _ infrastructure was cut to shreds? i mean, there is a lot else - infrastructure was cut to shreds? i mean, there is a lot else that i infrastructure was cut to shreds? i | mean, there is a lot else that went on, mean, there is a lot else that went on. a _ mean, there is a lot else that went on. a lot_ mean, there is a lot else that went on. a lot of— mean, there is a lot else that went on, a lot of spending _ mean, there is a lot else that went on, a lot of spending on— mean, there is a lot else that went on, a lot of spending on all- mean, there is a lot else that went on, a lot of spending on all the - on, a lot of spending on all the normal— on, a lot of spending on all the normal sort _ on, a lot of spending on all the normal sort of— on, a lot of spending on all the normal sort of everyday - on, a lot of spending on all the| normal sort of everyday welfare spending — normal sort of everyday welfare spending and _ normal sort of everyday welfare spending and all— normal sort of everyday welfare spending and all the _ normal sort of everyday welfare spending and all the rest - normal sort of everyday welfare spending and all the rest of- normal sort of everyday welfare spending and all the rest of it, i normal sort of everyday welfare . spending and all the rest of it, but it left_ spending and all the rest of it, but it left the — spending and all the rest of it, but it left the infrastructure, - spending and all the rest of it, but it left the infrastructure, the - spending and all the rest of it, but it left the infrastructure, the sort. it left the infrastructure, the sort of fabric of the _ it left the infrastructure, the sort of fabric of the country— it left the infrastructure, the sort of fabric of the country and - it left the infrastructure, the sort of fabric of the country and of- it left the infrastructure, the sort| of fabric of the country and of our society— of fabric of the country and of our society and — of fabric of the country and of our society and economy _ of fabric of the country and of our society and economy so - of fabric of the country and of our society and economy so much - of fabric of the country and of our. society and economy so much more weakened _ society and economy so much more weakened so — society and economy so much more weakened so that— society and economy so much more weakened so that when _ society and economy so much more weakened so that when we - society and economy so much more weakened so that when we did - weakened so that when we did experience _ weakened so that when we did experience covid, and - weakened so that when we did experience covid, and when. weakened so that when we did | experience covid, and when we did have the _ experience covid, and when we did have the unexpected _ experience covid, and when we did have the unexpected outbreak - experience covid, and when we did have the unexpected outbreak of l experience covid, and when we did l have the unexpected outbreak of war in ukraine, _ have the unexpected outbreak of war in ukraine, which— have the unexpected outbreak of war in ukraine, which cut _ have the unexpected outbreak of war in ukraine, which cut another- have the unexpected outbreak of war in ukraine, which cut another swathe through— in ukraine, which cut another swathe through our— in ukraine, which cut another swathe through our finances, _ in ukraine, which cut another swathe through our finances, the _ in ukraine, which cut another swathe through our finances, the core - in ukraine, which cut another swathe through our finances, the core of- through our finances, the core of the country—

through our finances, the core of the country was _ through our finances, the core of the country was just _ through our finances, the core of the country was just not - through our finances, the core of the country was just not strong l the country wasjust not strong enough — the country wasjust not strong enough to— the country wasjust not strong enough to withstand _ the country wasjust not strong enough to withstand this - the country was just not strong . enough to withstand this endless battering — enough to withstand this endless battering and _ enough to withstand this endless battering. and i— enough to withstand this endless battering. and i think— enough to withstand this endless battering. and i think clive - enough to withstand this endless battering. and i think clive may. battering. and i think clive may have _ battering. and i think clive may have a — battering. and i think clive may have a point here, that- battering. and i think clive may have a point here, that it - battering. and i think clive may have a point here, that it doesi battering. and i think clive may. have a point here, that it does go track— have a point here, that it does go back to _ have a point here, that it does go back to those _ have a point here, that it does go back to those early _ have a point here, that it does go back to those early decisions, - have a point here, that it does go i back to those early decisions, those cuts in _ back to those early decisions, those cuts in capital — back to those early decisions, those cuts in capital spending, _ back to those early decisions, those cuts in capital spending, in - cuts in capital spending, in infrastructure _ cuts in capital spending, in infrastructure and - cuts in capital spending, in infrastructure and railways| cuts in capital spending, in - infrastructure and railways and buitdings — infrastructure and railways and buitdings and _ infrastructure and railways and buildings and all— infrastructure and railways and buildings and all the _ infrastructure and railways and buildings and all the rest - infrastructure and railways and buildings and all the rest of. infrastructure and railways and buildings and all the rest of it. j buildings and all the rest of it. that's— buildings and all the rest of it. that's what— buildings and all the rest of it. that's what we _ buildings and all the rest of it. that's what we can _ buildings and all the rest of it. that's what we can do - buildings and all the rest of it. that's what we can do so - buildings and all the rest of it. that's what we can do so early buildings and all the rest of it. - that's what we can do so early on, isn't _ that's what we can do so early on, isn't it? _ that's what we can do so early on, isn't it? �* ,., ., isn't it? but the point i would push back on as — isn't it? but the point i would push back on as we _ isn't it? but the point i would push back on as we simply _ isn't it? but the point i would push back on as we simply cannot - isn't it? but the point i would push back on as we simply cannot keep | back on as we simply cannot keep borrowing — back on as we simply cannot keep borrowing to exist, we can't keep borrowing — borrowing to exist, we can't keep borrowing at every opportunity, and the big _ borrowing at every opportunity, and the big mission of that early conservative government from 2010 to 2015 was _ conservative government from 2010 to 2015 was to _ conservative government from 2010 to 2015 was to try and cut the deficit and start — 2015 was to try and cut the deficit and start to get our debt down, because — and start to get our debt down, because as we know now, our debt repayments — because as we know now, our debt repayments monthly is currently targerm — repayments monthly is currently laruer. .. �* . repayments monthly is currently laruer... �* . ., m larger... but what about growth? it is laraer larger... but what about growth? it is larger than _ larger... but what about growth? it is larger than any _ larger... but what about growth? it is larger than any tire _ larger... but what about growth? it is larger than any tire education - is larger than any tire education budget~ — is larger than any tire education budaet. . �* . is larger than any tire education budet. ., �*, ., , is larger than any tire education budaet. . fl . , , budget. that's really interesting. john budget. that's really interesting. john curtice _ budget. that's really interesting. john curtice made _ budget. that's really interesting. john curtice made the _ budget. that's really interesting. john curtice made the point - budget. that's really interesting. john curtice made the point a - budget. that's really interesting. | john curtice made the point a few days ago that the polls suggest the public aren't interested in tax cuts if the nhs is falling apart, so it

feels as if the argument from some is completely upside down. we cannot keep spending on the nation _ we cannot keep spending on the nation 's — we cannot keep spending on the nation 's credit card because we are setting _ nation 's credit card because we are setting ourselves up for a catastrophe. | setting ourselves up for a catastrophe.— setting ourselves up for a catastrohe. . , , setting ourselves up for a catastrohe. . _ catastrophe. i have sympathy for that oint catastrophe. i have sympathy for that point of— catastrophe. i have sympathy for that point of view _ catastrophe. i have sympathy for that point of view but _ catastrophe. i have sympathy for that point of view but even - that point of view but even conservatives _ that point of view but even conservatives are - that point of view but even conservatives are now- that point of view but even conservatives are now say| that point of view but even - conservatives are now say that during — conservatives are now say that during the _ conservatives are now say that during the posterity— conservatives are now say that during the posterity years, - conservatives are now say that during the posterity years, the conservatives are now say that - during the posterity years, the cuts were unjustified _ during the posterity years, the cuts were unjustified and _ during the posterity years, the cuts were unjustified and excessive. - during the posterity years, the cuts were unjustified and excessive. ——| were unjustified and excessive. —— austerity~ — were unjustified and excessive. —— austerity~ yes. _ were unjustified and excessive. —— austerity. yes. we _ were unjustified and excessive. —— austerity. yes, we do _ were unjustified and excessive. —— austerity. yes, we do have - were unjustified and excessive. —— austerity. yes, we do have to - were unjustified and excessive. ——| austerity. yes, we do have to grow our economy— austerity. yes, we do have to grow our economy to _ austerity. yes, we do have to grow our economy to pay— austerity. yes, we do have to grow our economy to pay for _ austerity. yes, we do have to grow our economy to pay for the - austerity. yes, we do have to grow our economy to pay for the public. our economy to pay for the public service _ our economy to pay for the public service but— our economy to pay for the public service but the _ our economy to pay for the public service but the differences, - our economy to pay for the publici service but the differences, during the past _ service but the differences, during the past 14— service but the differences, during the past 14 years _ service but the differences, during the past 14 years had _ service but the differences, during the past 14 years had growth - service but the differences, during the past 14 years had growth of. service but the differences, during the past 14 years had growth of 1% service but the differences, during i the past 14 years had growth of 1% — 2% and _ the past 14 years had growth of 1% — 2% and that — the past 14 years had growth of 1% — 2% and that contrast _ the past 14 years had growth of 1% — 2% and that contrast with _ the past 14 years had growth of 1% — 2% and that contrast with the - the past 14 years had growth of 1% — 2% and that contrast with the new. 2% and that contrast with the new labour— 2% and that contrast with the new labour record _ 2% and that contrast with the new labour record of— 2% and that contrast with the new labour record of growth _ 2% and that contrast with the new labour record of growth of- 2% and that contrast with the new labour record of growth of 2% - 2% and that contrast with the new| labour record of growth of 2% and 2% and that contrast with the new- labour record of growth of 2% and 3% and now— labour record of growth of 2% and 3% and now we _ labour record of growth of 2% and 3% and now we have _ labour record of growth of 2% and 3% and now we have even _ labour record of growth of 2% and 3% and now we have even less, - labour record of growth of 2% and 3% and now we have even less, we have| and now we have even less, we have not % _ and now we have even less, we have not % and _ and now we have even less, we have not % and not— and now we have even less, we have not % and not ~5%~ _ and now we have even less, we have not % and not .5%. inte— and now we have even less, we have not % and not 5%.— not % and not .5%. we had the fastest image _ not % and not .5%. we had the fastest image the _ not % and not .5%. we had the fastest image the g7 _ not % and not .5%. we had the fastest image the g7 and - not % and not .5%. we had the fastest image the g7 and a - not % and not .5%. we had the - fastest image the g7 and a quarter.

we need _ fastest image the g7 and a quarter. we need more than 0.7%. it fastest image the g7 and a quarter. we need more than 0.7%.- we need more than 0.7%. it was a ve aood we need more than 0.7%. it was a very good level — we need more than 0.7%. it was a very good level of _ we need more than 0.7%. it was a very good level of growth - we need more than 0.7%. it was a i very good level of growth crosstalk indeed _ very good level of growth crosstalk indeed it— very good level of growth crosstalk indeed. it is very good level of growth crosstalk indeed. . . very good level of growth crosstalk indeed. , . indeed. it is a debate running throu~h indeed. it is a debate running through the _ indeed. it is a debate running through the campaign - indeed. it is a debate running through the campaign and - indeed. it is a debate running through the campaign and it. indeed. it is a debate running i through the campaign and it will continue to run and run and run. the elusive search for money. back continue to run and run and run. the elusive search for money.— elusive search for money. back in 2010. .. elusive search for money. back in 2010- -- back— elusive search for money. back in 2010. .. back to _ elusive search for money. back in 2010. .. back to you. _ elusive search for money. back in 2010. .. back to you. |_ elusive search for money. back in 2010. .. back to you. i am - elusive search for money. back inj 2010... back to you. i am hearing from labour— 2010... back to you. i am hearing from labour surplus _ 2010... back to you. i am hearing from labour surplus were - 2010... back to you. i am hearing from labour surplus were jeremy| from labour surplus werejeremy corbyn standing against labour as an independent, that seat looks challenging for labour is what they are saving. it was suggested at the very least it is a close. we shall see. a fascinating subplot in an evening of many many stories. if evening of many many stories. if labour was to lose that seat as jeremy corbyn standing as an independent, that would notjust be bad news but it would take the shine

off this enormous victory labour is now expecting according to the exit polls. we are watching the pictures of northumberland. the returning officer with an incredible hat is back at the lectern. we're to get the declaration for the seat. hereby cive notice the declaration for the seat. hereby give notice that _ the declaration for the seat. hereby give notice that the _ the declaration for the seat. hereby give notice that the total _ the declaration for the seat. hereby give notice that the total numbers l give notice that the total numbers of votes given to each candidate was as follows. tom campion, liberal democrats, 1898 stop gordon fletcher, reform uk, 90,454. emma foodie, labourand fletcher, reform uk, 90,454. emma foodie, labour and cooperative party, 22,274. don furniss, independent, 322. ianjones, the

green party, 2144. scott lee, independent, 573. ian levy, the conservative party canada, 8592. matthew wilkinson, social democratic party, 137. and that emma foodie is duly elected. party, 137. and that emma foodie is duly elected-— duly elected. supporters cheering and a beaming — duly elected. supporters cheering and a beaming smile. _ duly elected. supporters cheering and a beaming smile. most - duly elected. supporters cheering and a beaming smile. most seats| and a beaming smile. most seats affected by changes to the boundaries. people might think, where is that but this is one of these new seats. but reform uk beating the conservatives into second place. emma will over 22,000

but very very tight. only 100 votes. 4000 820 majority for labour. and but very very tight. only 100 votes. 4000 820 majority for labour. 4000 820 ma'ority for labour. and as it turned out — 4000 820 majority for labour. and as it turned out again _ 4000 820 majority for labour. and as it turned out again not _ 4000 820 majority for labour. and as it turned out again not great, - 4000 820 majority for labour. and as it turned out again not great, 6096. i it turned out again not great, 60%. let's look at the share of the vote. labour up five points but look at reform. and the conservatives down 21 and that has been the story of the so far. the greens are just too stop and look at that swing. for .1% reform party are not winning any seats but their share of the vote is creeping up and has been the story so far this evening. we were talking about the liberal democrats earlier. jeremy vine is going to paint more of a picture given the results we have and the exit polls of how the liberal democrats good fat this

evening. it liberal democrats good fat this evenina. ., ., ~ liberal democrats good fat this evenina. ,, , . evening. it looks like being an absolutely _ evening. it looks like being an absolutely brilliant _ evening. it looks like being an absolutely brilliant night - evening. it looks like being an absolutely brilliant night for l evening. it looks like being an i absolutely brilliant night for the liberal democrats. you mentioned just a moment ago boundary changes and i guess we need to start from that point because i have to explain this key issue of the boundary changes and how we actually set the starting point for these comparisons. in order to make comparisons. in order to make comparisons with last time, we fed the 2019 vote through the new boundaries and on that basis, the lib dems are defending just eight seats from the last election that just eight stop at this was their target list. the most pressing, carshalton, north east fife, wimbledon, etc. 50 seats all one by other parties. cal shortened the easiest for them to take. ——

carshalton. this isjust a projection but a great night for the lib dems. carshalton, north east fife, wimbledon, sheffield hallam. eventually, mrs thatcher 's halsey, will be lib dem under exit polls. —— old seat. an tunbridge wells suggest will stay blue. at what point does the lib dem advance stop? north cornwall, absent, the old seat of chris grayling he was gone into the house of lords, that gone into lib dems. and then basically told by, let's have a look, in the southwest,

this is an old rush of advances across the south and southwest, taking back seats that they would have had in years past but they have not had this many for a very, very long time and someone said earlier it is really extraordinarily and it has caused the crash in the conservative vote and if you are lib dem and you are in second place last time and the conservative melt down, it is your seat. time and the conservative melt down, it is your seat-— it is your seat. jeremy, thank you. continue with _ it is your seat. jeremy, thank you. continue with the _ it is your seat. jeremy, thank you. continue with the theme - it is your seat. jeremy, thank you. continue with the theme of - it is your seat. jeremy, thank you. continue with the theme of the . continue with the theme of the liberal democrats. we're going to go to kingston and surbiton. nick what is there for us. are they feeling confident given how the evening seems to be panning out? lsolicit.

confident given how the evening seems to be panning out? well, the liberal democrats _ seems to be panning out? well, the liberal democrats are _ seems to be panning out? well, the liberal democrats are indeed - seems to be panning out? well, the| liberal democrats are indeed feeling very confident. in the last minute, 0lymbic_ very confident. in the last minute, olympic dam so saying they have 147 seats and _ olympic dam so saying they have 147 seats and that would beat the 1997 result _ seats and that would beat the 1997 result which was the big breakthrough. tonight this is an astonishing note for the liberal democrats. once think they are claiming — democrats. once think they are claiming to have one is tunbridge wells _ claiming to have one is tunbridge wells. they say they have spoken out and significance of that is that seat _ and significance of that is that seat last— and significance of that is that seat last budget liberal in 1906. we sawjeremy pointing out that it is a mix of— sawjeremy pointing out that it is a mix of the — sawjeremy pointing out that it is a mix of the old and the new. old seats _ mix of the old and the new. old seats that — mix of the old and the new. old seats that took them into coalition and new _ seats that took them into coalition and new seats like wimbledon and locally _ and new seats like wimbledon and locally that have not been liberal democrats lately. they are saying this is _ democrats lately. they are saying this is their best result since

1995 — this is their best result since 1995 29 _ this is their best result since 1993. 29 games this is their best result since 1993.29 games and they are doing 1993. 29 games and they are doing better— 1993.29 games and they are doing better than they have done since 1923 in— better than they have done since 1923 in terms of gains and obviously they are _ 1923 in terms of gains and obviously they are saying 47 that i have one end of— they are saying 47 that i have one end of the — they are saying 47 that i have one end of the exit poll is talking about — end of the exit poll is talking about 601i think. end of the exit poll is talking about son think.— end of the exit poll is talking about 6011 think. about 60" think. thank you for that. looking _ about 6011 think. thank you for that. looking pretty— about 60" think. thank you for that. looking pretty chipper, . about 60" think. thank you for that. looking pretty chipper, it| about 60" think. thank you for - that. looking pretty chipper, it has to be said. chris, that strategy of trying to get headlines and trying to get at least the public seeing what the liberal democrats had to offer, it does look as if possibly, according to the exit poll, emotive work and we were hearing from daisy cooper about that. the work and we were hearing from daisy cooper about that.— cooper about that. the very visual strate: , cooper about that. the very visual strategy. a _ cooper about that. the very visual strategy. a windy _ cooper about that. the very visual strategy, a windy hill _ cooper about that. the very visual strategy, a windy hill on - cooper about that. the very visual strategy, a windy hill on a - cooper about that. the very visual strategy, a windy hill on a field i l strategy, a windy hill on a field i was about ten days ago and davey was painting potteries to be of his most

sedate activities, did not match the bungee jump that followed later on. he is a party that gets squeezed the whole time by the big beasts at westminster how do you capture the attention and davey does this midlife crisis on camera but there is also a strategy different to that and it is these, they have in the past been punished by the electoral system, in other words i had lots of supporters in lots of places but not enough to win many seats. we had daisy cooper saying that they don't like the system but that if they are going to when they have to work with the system they have got and therefore restlessly go after places to win the seat and to put it bluntly to heck with a lot of other places. we put a candidate but do not make a massive amount of effort

and it would look like that is bearing fruit with them. they are also conscious that in an election were perhaps the overriding sentiment has been one of anger at the conservatives, that they could be the vessel for that anger, the recipients of that anger, if you like, in parts of the country which are rarely enamoured by labour even on a good night for labour, particularly southeast of england and southwest of england. anything has changed — and southwest of england. anything has changed every _ and southwest of england. anything has changed every time. _ and southwest of england. anything has changed every time. they - and southwest of england. anything has changed every time. they tried | has changed every time. they tried to face both ways, taking labour votes in some parts and tory votes in others but they have recently ruthlessly put their money and there resources and their political efforts into going after the tories. ed davey was thank they were the real left wing alternative compared to the labour party and some of their policies, like spending loads more social care, raising taxes to spend more on health.— more social care, raising taxes to spend more on health. yes, they have been under —

spend more on health. yes, they have been under ed — spend more on health. yes, they have been under ed davey _ spend more on health. yes, they have been under ed davey are _ spend more on health. yes, they have been under ed davey are proudly - spend more on health. yes, they have been under ed davey are proudly anti | been under ed davey are proudly anti conservative party and of course it is not a million years ago that ed davey was a minister in a coalition government where the conservatives were the primary party but he has absolutely shifted his attention to being just that and tried to in so doing cleanse them as they might see it and as others might see it, given the hammering they took into thousand 15, following the timing coalition, nearly a decade on from that and they end the doctors for years and years until it would appear tonight ——2015. find years and years until it would appear tonight --2015. and stepping aside from said _ appear tonight --2015. and stepping aside from said they _ appear tonight --2015. and stepping aside from said they are _ appear tonight --2015. and stepping aside from said they are not - appear tonight --2015. and stepping aside from said they are not going i aside from said they are not going to win. _, ., . ., . to win. the conversation around all of this in the _ to win. the conversation around all of this in the last _ to win. the conversation around all of this in the last couple _ to win. the conversation around all of this in the last couple of - to win. the conversation around all of this in the last couple of years, | of this in the last couple of years, the talk of deals, the nature of the political geography in the uk and in particular england has tended to be that whether liberal democrats are

competitive, i can win a seat, labour are 1 competitive, i can win a seat, labour are1 million miles behind and vice—versa. so, yes, it looks either could be evidence of people voting tactically, voting anti— conservative tonight but the parties that have not necessarily have to co—ordinate that in any sense, they could allow an election to come to its own conclusions based on the individual areas. they can work out where their votes can be used most efficiently. where their votes can be used most efficientl . �* . where their votes can be used most efficientl . �* , ., ., , . , efficiently. let's go to leeds west and seak efficiently. let's go to leeds west and speak to _ efficiently. let's go to leeds west and speak to rachel— efficiently. let's go to leeds west and speak to rachel reeves, - efficiently. let's go to leeds west and speak to rachel reeves, who | efficiently. let's go to leeds west - and speak to rachel reeves, who has had high hopes of becoming the first female chancellor. do you think you will be chancellor tomorrow afternoon?— will be chancellor tomorrow afternoon? . ., , afternoon? that would be keir starmer 's _ afternoon? that would be keir starmer 's decisions _ afternoon? that would be keir starmer 's decisions but - afternoon? that would be keir starmer 's decisions but if - afternoon? that would be keir starmer 's decisions but if the | starmer 's decisions but if the results are unfolding the way the

poles are suggesting it will be a big win for the labour party, keir starmer putting it back in the service of waking people has put us in this position now, where we are in this position now, where we are in touching distance of forming the next government and i hope to play my full part in all of that. toniht; next government and i hope to play my full part in all of that.— my full part in all of that. why do ou think my full part in all of that. why do you think the _ my full part in all of that. why do you think the results _ my full part in all of that. why do you think the results are - my full part in all of that. why do you think the results are panning| you think the results are panning out the way they are? we heard about voters unhappiness with the tories perhaps less optimism about the message you put out there. which was it do ou message you put out there. which was it do you think? _ message you put out there. which was it do you think? people _ message you put out there. which was it do you think? people are _ message you put out there. which was it do you think? people are crying - it do you think? people are crying out for change. that is the message i heard a loud and clear during the course of this election. after 14 years of chaos and division and the client, five prime ministers, seven chancellors, people want to change and people have voted for that in huge numbers. the overarching theme in this election is at the seats that labour of winning in the sense that labour of winning in the sense that labour of winning in the sense that labour look to and including some seats potentially that labour has never won before that we are on

course to pick up this evening because of the change keir starmer has brought to the labour party. it has brought to the labour party. it seems more conservative voters are switching to reform rather than moving the votes across to you. if that comes to pass and nigel farage 's a party was more attractive to voters moving to keir starmer 's party, what kind of message would that be? �* . . party, what kind of message would that be? �* , , ., that be? let's see how the night unfolds. that be? let's see how the night unfolds- we _ that be? let's see how the night unfolds. we have _ that be? let's see how the night unfolds. we have not _ that be? let's see how the night unfolds. we have not had - that be? let's see how the night unfolds. we have not had that l that be? let's see how the night - unfolds. we have not had that many results yet and so far it has been labour picking up seats, including directly from the 70s for example in swindon and that is good news for labour and we will be able to provide the strong leadership that this country needs with a strong mandate to deliver the change we set out in our manifesto to bring stability back to the economy, to create 40,000 additional employment, the recruitment of 6500 new teachers

in our state schools, so that is what we sought a mandate for and we very much hope tomorrow to start getting to work on thatjob. but in terms of the enthusiasm for the labour party, as she points out, it is just the labour party, as she points out, it isjust an the labour party, as she points out, it is just an exit poll, still early in the night, we haven't had have that many real results but the exit poll points to an absolutely thumping majority for keir starmer and yet it also suggests that labour's share of the vote is up around 1% and the reform share of the vote appears to be up around 14%. are you confident that labour will not lose seats to the reform party tonight?— party tonight? let's see what ha--ens party tonight? let's see what happens on _ party tonight? let's see what happens on that _ party tonight? let's see what happens on that seat - party tonight? let's see what happens on that seat by - party tonight? let's see what happens on that seat by seat| party tonight? let's see what - happens on that seat by seat basis but if the results unfold in the way that it looks likely, this is going to be an almost unprecedented landslide majority for the labour party. that will give us the mandate to make the changes our country needs. people are crying out for change, and it looks like people are

putting their trust in the change labour party and the keir�*s leadership, and it is now up to us to repay that trust by starting to deliver on the things we set out during the course of this election to bring this debility back to our economy, wealth creation and jobs and opportunities for all parts of the uk to tackle the cost—of—living crisis. that is the change in our country needs, and that is the change that i know keir and the whole team is determined to deliver, if we have a chance from tomorrow. it is clive myrie here, are you confident _ it is clive myrie here, are you confident he would be able to deliver— confident he would be able to deliver in— confident he would be able to deliver in the way you would like to, given — deliver in the way you would like to, given you have signed up to the fiscal— to, given you have signed up to the fiscal rules — to, given you have signed up to the fiscal rules of the previous government, if you do when eventually this evening? you have put yourself in a straitjacket, you are not— put yourself in a straitjacket, you are not going to raise taxes, at least _ are not going to raise taxes, at least on — are not going to raise taxes, at least on those that are out there, concerning — least on those that are out there, concerning your tax luck as it were, no rises _ concerning your tax luck as it were, no rises in —

concerning your tax luck as it were, no rises in vat, national insurance, income _ no rises in vat, national insurance, income tax. — no rises in vat, national insurance, income tax, you are going to be in a very straight — income tax, you are going to be in a very straight and difficult position and yet _ very straight and difficult position and yet you are saying you will be able to _ and yet you are saying you will be able to deliver for all those people who now _ able to deliver for all those people who now have put faith in you. how are you _ who now have put faith in you. how are you going to do that? everything in our manifesto _ are you going to do that? everything in our manifesto is _ are you going to do that? everything in our manifesto is fully _ are you going to do that? everything in our manifesto is fully costed - are you going to do that? everything in our manifesto is fully costed and i in our manifesto is fully costed and funded. we have set out in the manifesto the immediate injection of cash we will provide for our public services, the 6500 new teachers in our state schools paid for by closing the loophole whereby private schools don't pay vat or business rates today, closing the tax loopholes whereby non—dom still do not pay theirfair share loopholes whereby non—dom still do not pay their fair share of tax in the country they make home, and we will put that money into our national health service, so an immediate injection of cash, but what we sought at this election was a mandate to grow our economy. that requires tough decisions and difficult conversations and fights ahead for example on our planning system, but we are determined to bring growth back to britain. i talked to so many investors and

businesses who say they have money to invest but they are choosing not to invest but they are choosing not to invest but they are choosing not to invest in britain today because of the lack of stability, because of a planning system is stacked against actually getting stuff built in britain. we will turn that around to make britain a great place to invest, working in partnership with business so that we can unlock those opportunities for wealth creation, prosperity, goodjobs opportunities for wealth creation, prosperity, good jobs in all parts of the country, and in the end it is only through growing our economy that we will have the money we need for our public services and also to start improving living standards for ordinary working people and pensioners as well. so that is the mandate we sought at the election, to grow the economy, and that is the work i intend to crack on with it if i have that chance as chancellor as part of the labour government. yeah. ton blair part of the labour government. yeah. tony blair and — part of the labour government. yeah. tony blair and gordon _ part of the labour government. yeah. tony blair and gordon brown, - part of the labour government. yeah. tony blair and gordon brown, they . tony blair and gordon brown, they locked _ tony blair and gordon brown, they locked themselves into kenneth clarke's— locked themselves into kenneth clarke's fiscal rules back in 1997 within— clarke's fiscal rules back in 1997 within two— clarke's fiscal rules back in 1997 within two years, and they had a growing — within two years, and they had a growing economy, within two years they raise — growing economy, within two years they raise national insurance. you're — they raise national insurance. you're going to have to put up

taxes. — you're going to have to put up taxes, aren't you?— you're going to have to put up taxes, aren't you? well, that's not true. national— taxes, aren't you? well, that's not true. national insurance _ taxes, aren't you? well, that's not true. national insurance stayed - taxes, aren't you? well, that's not true. national insurance stayed at| true. national insurance stayed at the rates that it was for the first term of a labour government. we have made a commitment not to increase income tax, national insurance or vat for the full term of a labour government for a simple reason. people have gone through a massive cost—of—living crisis over the last few years, and whacking up taxes on working people is not the way to address the cost—of—living crisis. that's why we are looking to grow the economy. other countries have managed to grow their economy and as a result had money to invest in their public services, whilst also keeping taxes down. the failure to grow the economy in britain is a real dereliction of duty of the conservative government that is on its way out. we are going to turn that around with a plan to bring stability to our economy, investment to our economy and then reform things like the planning system that has held back investment, building in britain for is far too long are we going to do something about that.

that is what we sought a mandate for in this election and that is the work that will start tomorrow. rachel reeves, thank you very much forjoining us from leeds west and pudsey, from her constituency there, she started off being quite coy, saying it looked like an exit poll, you can be complacent about anything but by the end of the conversation she was saying it is up to us, the others are on the way out. she is the chancellor. _ others are on the way out. she is the chancellor. didn't _ others are on the way out. she is the chancellor. didn't take - others are on the way out. she is the chancellor. didn't take that l the chancellor. didn't take that long. we are going to go to reeta because we're going to look at the result in harrowgate and barbara. —— harrowgate and knaresborough. you have stolen my line, we calling at the big _ have stolen my line, we calling at the big shout, a lib then gained. lib dems, — the big shout, a lib then gained. lib dems, mustard yellow. gain from the conservatives. tom gordon is the new lib _ the conservatives. tom gordon is the new lib dems mp for harrogate and knaresborough in yorkshire of course, — knaresborough in yorkshire of course, and he has a majority of 8200 _ course, and he has a majority of 8200 plus _ course, and he has a majority of 8200 plus. and it is the change in the vote _ 8200 plus. and it is the change in the vote share that is always so

interesting, isn't it, because the lib dems — interesting, isn't it, because the lib dems have put on 10% since 2019. the conservatives right down on 22% and the _ the conservatives right down on 22% and the reform party actually coming in on an— and the reform party actually coming in on an increase of 11%. you can see here — in on an increase of 11%. you can see here the _ in on an increase of 11%. you can see here the swing from conservative to liberal— see here the swing from conservative to liberal democrat is 16%. that is the liberal— to liberal democrat is 16%. that is the liberal democrats's first gain of the _ the liberal democrats's first gain of the night, the first seat of the night, _ of the night, the first seat of the night, harrogate and knaresborough for sir— night, harrogate and knaresborough for sir ed _ night, harrogate and knaresborough for sir ed davey's liberal democrats.— for sir ed davey's liberal - democrats._ another for sir ed davey's liberal _ democrats._ another big democrats. thank you. another big seat where — democrats. thank you. another big seat where some _ democrats. thank you. another big seat where some people _ democrats. thank you. another big seat where some people have - democrats. thank you. another big seat where some people have been predicting, expecting or speculating about a big headline. will go to ros atkins who is in norfolk, south—west norfolk to be more precise. the seat who has been held by somebody. all of us got very familiar with not so long ago, liz truss, her ill—fated time in downing street but of course before that she had been a cabinet ministerfor many years, before that she had been a cabinet minister for many years, but ros atkins, what is the mood at the count there? there has been suggestions her seat might be in danger. does it feel like that on

the ground?— danger. does it feel like that on the round? . . the ground? evening, laura, evening comic life. the ground? evening, laura, evening comic life- as — the ground? evening, laura, evening comic life. as you _ the ground? evening, laura, evening comic life. as you can _ the ground? evening, laura, evening comic life. as you can probably - comic life. as you can probably hear. _ comic life. as you can probably hear. there _ comic life. as you can probably hear, there is a hive of activity here _ hear, there is a hive of activity here behind me at the leisure centre in king's_ here behind me at the leisure centre in king's lynn. —— evening, clive. south-west — in king's lynn. —— evening, clive. south—west norfolk being liz truss's constituency, she is one of the several— constituency, she is one of the several candidates standing for election. there is no sense that this is— election. there is no sense that this is something which is a done deal _ this is something which is a done deal. talking to a number of people involved _ deal. talking to a number of people involved in— deal. talking to a number of people involved in the different parties who are — involved in the different parties who are watching the vote count going _ who are watching the vote count going on. — who are watching the vote count going on, they are all noting that reform _ going on, they are all noting that reform seems to be performing well, or above _ reform seems to be performing well, or above expectations. that doesn't mean _ or above expectations. that doesn't mean they— or above expectations. that doesn't mean they think reform will win but it will— mean they think reform will win but it will be _ mean they think reform will win but it will be part of a complex equation for liz truss because she is under— equation for liz truss because she is under pressure from a number of directions. — is under pressure from a number of directions, the labour candidate, from _ directions, the labour candidate, from reform but also from an independent candidate who was a supporter— independent candidate who was a supporter of the conservatives, but according _ supporter of the conservatives, but according to one of his team, they

are now— according to one of his team, they are now consciously targeting disgruntled tory voters. so we will have to _ disgruntled tory voters. so we will have to see — disgruntled tory voters. so we will have to see how many supporters of live trust _ have to see how many supporters of live trust from previous years, crossed — live trust from previous years, crossed -- _ live trust from previous years, crossed —— of liz truss. both of these _ crossed —— of liz truss. both of these constituencies would have until very— these constituencies would have until very recently been considered rock-solid — until very recently been considered rock—solid for the conservatives, both _ rock—solid for the conservatives, both the — rock—solid for the conservatives, both the mps standing for re—election have dureau teas are well over— re—election have dureau teas are well over 20,000, and yet when we look at _ well over 20,000, and yet when we look at the — well over 20,000, and yet when we look at the exit poll, north west norfolk— look at the exit poll, north west norfolk is — look at the exit poll, north west norfolk is projected as being 66% likely— norfolk is projected as being 66% likely for— norfolk is projected as being 66% likely for the labour party, and as for liz— likely for the labour party, and as for liz truss. _ likely for the labour party, and as for liz truss, her victory is described _ for liz truss, her victory is described as possible. so neither of these _ described as possible. so neither of these two _ described as possible. so neither of these two things are settled. in terms _ these two things are settled. in terms of— these two things are settled. in terms of the practicalities, you can probably— terms of the practicalities, you can probably see the stage just behind me where the results will be announced, we are expecting north west norfolk at 430 in the morning, south-west — west norfolk at 430 in the morning, south—west norfolk, liz truss's constituency at 5:30am. chris, very briefl to constituency at 5:30am. chris, very briefly to you. _

constituency at 5:30am. chris, , briefly to you, expected another headline of the night. the liberal democrats _ headline of the night. the liberal democrats think _ headline of the night. the liberal democrats think they _ headline of the night. the liberal democrats think they are - headline of the night. the liberal democrats think they are taking l headline of the night. the liberal| democrats think they are taking a cabinet _ democrats think they are taking a cabinet scalp, winning in chichester in sussex— cabinet scalp, winning in chichester in sussex they think, is a quote from _ in sussex they think, is a quote from a — in sussex they think, is a quote from a spokesperson, school is out for summer. — from a spokesperson, school is out for summer, winterand from a spokesperson, school is out for summer, winter and spring gillian — for summer, winter and spring gillian keegan. that gives you a sense _ gillian keegan. that gives you a sense their confidence that they will beat — sense their confidence that they will beat a cabinet minister in the coming _ will beat a cabinet minister in the coming hours. will beat a cabinet minister in the coming hours-— will beat a cabinet minister in the coming hours. that would be huge, the lib dems _ coming hours. that would be huge, the lib dems are _ coming hours. that would be huge, the lib dems are very _ coming hours. that would be huge, the lib dems are very confident - coming hours. that would be huge, the lib dems are very confident if. the lib dems are very confident if they are saying that, however much they love giving out quotes, the liberal democrats, they only deal when they have something to say. interesting, as well, the vote down in basildon and billericay, where the tory party chairman richard holden is fighting, and he... chicken run. he was parachuted in there. catherine is therefore for us tonight, bring us up to date. yes. there. catherine is therefore for us tonight, bring us up to date. yes, i was 'ust tonight, bring us up to date. yes, i was just about _ tonight, bring us up to date. yes, i was just about to _ tonight, bring us up to date. yes, i wasjust about to tell _ tonight, bring us up to date. yes, i wasjust about to tell you - tonight, bring us up to date. yes, i wasjust about to tell you the - was just about to tell you the counties _ was just about to tell you the counties over here but just was just about to tell you the counties over here butjust in the

last few— counties over here butjust in the last few seconds we are seeing some ballot _ last few seconds we are seeing some ballot papers being brought out, several — ballot papers being brought out, several of the accounting staff are busy recounting some of the ballot papers _ busy recounting some of the ballot papers it— busy recounting some of the ballot papers it seems to where i'm standing— papers it seems to where i'm standing here. that is an indication ofjust— standing here. that is an indication ofjust how— standing here. that is an indication ofjust how close the vote here is in basildon — ofjust how close the vote here is in basildon and billericay and the reason _ in basildon and billericay and the reason of— in basildon and billericay and the reason of courses there is a national— reason of courses there is a national focus as you mentioned, the fact you _ national focus as you mentioned, the fact you have the conservative party chairman _ fact you have the conservative party chairman richard holden standing in the seat _ chairman richard holden standing in the seat. there was controversy around it. — the seat. there was controversy around it, some conservative party member— around it, some conservative party member is— around it, some conservative party member is feeling he was parachuted in. member is feeling he was parachuted in this _ member is feeling he was parachuted in this of— member is feeling he was parachuted in. this of course was meant to be a safe conservative seat for the party chairman — safe conservative seat for the party chairman. we have seen him here walking _ chairman. we have seen him here walking along the count floor, and really _ walking along the count floor, and really you — walking along the count floor, and really you can just get the sense that it _ really you can just get the sense that it is — really you can just get the sense that it is quite tense. we have had from _ that it is quite tense. we have had from the _ that it is quite tense. we have had from the labour representatives, they are — from the labour representatives, they are saying it is too close to call _ they are saying it is too close to call. reform uk, their candidate stephen — call. reform uk, their candidate stephen conway was talking to the bbc, saying he is quite confident about— bbc, saying he is quite confident about the — bbc, saying he is quite confident

about the result, they are optimistic that result can be repeated. but this is a shock for the conservatives. they had a notional— the conservatives. they had a notional majority of over 20,000 votes, this was going to be a safe seat for— votes, this was going to be a safe seat for the — votes, this was going to be a safe seat for the party chairman. right now it _ seat for the party chairman. right now it seems if he do is win their seats— now it seems if he do is win their seats for— now it seems if he do is win their seats for his party will be a tough cause~ _ seats for his party will be a tough cause~ we — seats for his party will be a tough cause. we are just going to keep an eye on— cause. we are just going to keep an eye on this — cause. we are just going to keep an eye on this recount coming in. i was speaking _ eye on this recount coming in. i was speaking to— eye on this recount coming in. i was speaking to a — eye on this recount coming in. i was speaking to a conservative party official— speaking to a conservative party official he — speaking to a conservative party official he was telling me it was only a _ official he was telling me it was only a difference of 1000 votes, then— only a difference of 1000 votes, then the — only a difference of 1000 votes, then the conservatives might want a recount _ then the conservatives might want a recount. we will continue to rely on the boat _ recount. we will continue to rely on the boat coming in at basildon and billericay — the boat coming in at basildon and billerica . , . the boat coming in at basildon and billericay— on - the boat coming in at basildon and j billericay._ on the billericay. very interesting. on the other side of— billericay. very interesting. on the other side of the _ billericay. very interesting. on the other side of the country, - billericay. very interesting. on the other side of the country, katie - other side of the country, katie brough is all in bristol, one of the really interesting things there is the real fight between the shadow culture secretary who would be very hopeful of being in a keir starmer

cabinet, and the greens, who have been pushing very hard. what is the mood. i been pushing very hard. what is the mood. . , , ~ , mood. i am in the oasis academy, hello to both. — mood. i am in the oasis academy, hello to both. you _ mood. i am in the oasis academy, hello to both. you can _ mood. i am in the oasis academy, hello to both. you can see - mood. i am in the oasis academy, hello to both. you can see bristol| hello to both. you can see bristol east, _ hello to both. you can see bristol east, one — hello to both. you can see bristol east, one of— hello to both. you can see bristol east, one of the counts happening here but— east, one of the counts happening here but one way down the corridor, the key— here but one way down the corridor, the key one — here but one way down the corridor, the key one is bristol central, where — the key one is bristol central, where fang debbonaire, she has a huge _ where fang debbonaire, she has a huge majority last time, 30,000 around _ huge majority last time, 30,000 around that. i have been there recently— around that. i have been there recently having a look round as the people _ recently having a look round as the people are — recently having a look round as the people are counting, representatives from all— people are counting, representatives from all the parties watching as those _ from all the parties watching as those votes are being counted and i have to _ those votes are being counted and i have to say — those votes are being counted and i have to say there is only one set of party _ have to say there is only one set of party representatives in that room looking _ party representatives in that room looking happy —— sang debbonaire. that is— looking happy —— sang debbonaire. that is not— looking happy —— sang debbonaire. that is not the party predicted to win a _ that is not the party predicted to win a landslide at this election, it is of— win a landslide at this election, it is of course — win a landslide at this election, it is of course the green party, they are using — is of course the green party, they are using very sober language stale, the co—leader is about to arrive here _ the co—leader is about to arrive here and — the co—leader is about to arrive here and they are talking in very sober— here and they are talking in very sober terms to saying they are optimistic— sober terms to saying they are optimistic and it was great on the doorstep — optimistic and it was great on the doorstep one person from the smaller

parties _ doorstep one person from the smaller parties told _ doorstep one person from the smaller parties told me she thinks the greens— parties told me she thinks the greens are storming it in bristol and the — greens are storming it in bristol and the elect like that when i was there _ and the elect like that when i was there we — and the elect like that when i was there. we won't find out until 3:15am — there. we won't find out until 3:15am. but they have already been some _ 3:15am. but they have already been some labour people who do look pretty— some labour people who do look pretty devastated. i was talking to somebody saying even as they were trying _ somebody saying even as they were trying to _ somebody saying even as they were trying to get their vote out on the doorstep, — trying to get their vote out on the doorstep, even as late as 8:30pm, 9pm. _ doorstep, even as late as 8:30pm, 9pm, people were saying sorry, we really _ 9pm, people were saying sorry, we really like _ 9pm, people were saying sorry, we really like thangam but we are going to vote _ really like thangam but we are going to vote green, people felt if there was no _ to vote green, people felt if there was no sense ofjeopardy, there not being _ was no sense ofjeopardy, there not being anything but a labour landslide, then they could vote green. — landslide, then they could vote green, and it seems to be one of the reasons— green, and it seems to be one of the reasons why— green, and it seems to be one of the reasons why this has happened. there is a lot— reasons why this has happened. there is a lot of— reasons why this has happened. there is a lot of sad — reasons why this has happened. there is a lot of sad faces here but we will wait — is a lot of sad faces here but we will wait for at least another 1.5 hours _ will wait for at least another 1.5 hours until— will wait for at least another 1.5 hours until we know what has happened. hours until we know what has happened-— hours until we know what has ha ened. . ~' ,, , . happened. thank you very much indeed. happened. thank you very much indeed- in _ happened. thank you very much indeed. in the _ happened. thank you very much indeed. in the context of what i happened. thank you very much - indeed. in the context of what looks like a really resounding result for the labour party, to lose that seat

in bristol central, thangam debbonaire, close ally of keir starmer, that would be a disappointment. just what we have been chatting, two more results have come through, raley and whitford, the first conservative victory of the first conservative victory of the night, the seat held by mark francois, prominent eurosceptic they are holding that seat in essex. but labour has taken stroud in gloucestershire from the conservative party too. a full recount taking place at busselton. it suggests it is very close. ~ . ~ busselton. it suggests it is very close. ~ . ,, ., close. we were talking on the re orter close. we were talking on the reporter on — close. we were talking on the reporter on the _ close. we were talking on the reporter on the ground - close. we were talking on the reporter on the ground and i close. we were talking on the reporter on the ground and al close. we were talking on the i reporter on the ground and a huge attention there. the reporter on the ground and a huge attention there.— reporter on the ground and a huge attention there. the recount is now confirmed- — attention there. the recount is now confirmed- we _ attention there. the recount is now confirmed. we will _ attention there. the recount is now confirmed. we will bring _ attention there. the recount is now confirmed. we will bring you i attention there. the recount is now confirmed. we will bring you the i confirmed. we will bring you the results of that but the newscast is hosting an all—night watch party in central london. adam is hosting.

hello from the newscaster all—nighter at bbc ho. we have turned it into a giant living room and filled it with politics and podcast fans who have been watching the results as they come in on this absolutely massive television and these very comfy sofas. we are joined by david and annabelle. and joined by david and annabelle. and adam. to adams are better than one. right, how do you feel about things so far? . , , so far? really interesting. personally _ so far? really interesting. personally very _ so far? really interesting. j personally very pleased... so far? really interesting. _ personally very pleased... because? in particular because of the swing in hampshire. keen to see the lib dems take that back.— dems take that back. family agreement? _ dems take that back. family agreement? yes, _ dems take that back. family agreement? yes, definitely. dems take that back. family - agreement? yes, definitely. pleased about— agreement? yes, definitely. pleased about the— agreement? yes, definitely. pleased about the labour majority probably but scared — about the labour majority probably but scared as well. about the labour ma'ority probably but scared as well._

but scared as well. scared about what? it looks _ but scared as well. scared about what? it looks like _ but scared as well. scared about what? it looks like reform i but scared as well. scared about what? it looks like reform is- but scared as well. scared about i what? it looks like reform is going to net a what? it looks like reform is going to get a few _ what? it looks like reform is going to get a few votes _ what? it looks like reform is going to get a few votes as well. - what? it looks like reform is going to get a few votes as well. i - what? it looks like reform is going to get a few votes as well. i just i to get a few votes as well. ijust do not _ to get a few votes as well. ijust do not agree with a lot of their policies — do not agree with a lot of their policies. they are quite scary as a party _ policies. they are quite scary as a la . . policies. they are quite scary as a .a _ . ., , policies. they are quite scary as a party. well, that is slightly awkward because - party. well, that is slightly awkward because adam, i party. well, that is slightly l awkward because adam, you party. well, that is slightly i awkward because adam, you are party. well, that is slightly - awkward because adam, you are a supporter of reform. it is awkward because adam, you are a supporter of reform.— supporter of reform. it is a little bit awkward- _ supporter of reform. it is a little bit awkward. the _ supporter of reform. it is a little bit awkward. the story _ supporter of reform. it is a little bit awkward. the story of - supporter of reform. it is a little bit awkward. the story of the i supporter of reform. it is a little l bit awkward. the story of the night is the number _ bit awkward. the story of the night is the number of _ bit awkward. the story of the night is the number of seats _ bit awkward. the story of the night is the number of seats reform i bit awkward. the story of the night is the number of seats reform and j bit awkward. the story of the night i is the number of seats reform and up getting but what has struck me is the amazing second places they have been getting in the seats so far. yes, the big thing is, if you get second — yes, the big thing is, if you get second all—night, _ yes, the big thing is, if you get second all—night, you're - yes, the big thing is, if you get second all—night, you're not. yes, the big thing is, if you get i second all—night, you're not going to get— second all—night, you're not going to get any— second all—night, you're not going to get any seats _ second all—night, you're not going to get any seats but _ second all—night, you're not going to get any seats but i _ second all—night, you're not going to get any seats but i think- second all—night, you're not going| to get any seats but i think reform will be _ to get any seats but i think reform will be very— to get any seats but i think reform will be very pleased _ to get any seats but i think reform will be very pleased without - to get any seats but i think reform will be very pleased without it i to get any seats but i think reform will be very pleased without it has| will be very pleased without it has gone _ will be very pleased without it has gone we — will be very pleased without it has gone we have _ will be very pleased without it has gone. we have said _ will be very pleased without it has gone. we have said from - will be very pleased without it has gone. we have said from the i will be very pleased without it has| gone. we have said from the start, one seat_ gone. we have said from the start, one seat would _ gone. we have said from the start, one seat would be _ gone. we have said from the start, one seat would be amazing - gone. we have said from the start, one seat would be amazing so - gone. we have said from the start, one seat would be amazing so i - gone. we have said from the start, i one seat would be amazing so i think overall— one seat would be amazing so i think overall they — one seat would be amazing so i think overall they would _ one seat would be amazing so i think overall they would be _ one seat would be amazing so i think overall they would be pleased - one seat would be amazing so i think overall they would be pleased seeing 13 come _ overall they would be pleased seeing 13 come up— overall they would be pleased seeing 13 come up and— overall they would be pleased seeing 13 come up and given _ overall they would be pleased seeing 13 come up and given how— overall they would be pleased seeing 13 come up and given how much- 13 come up and given how much proportion— 13 come up and given how much proportion of— 13 come up and given how much proportion of the _ 13 come up and given how much proportion of the vote _ 13 come up and given how much proportion of the vote they- 13 come up and given how much. proportion of the vote they have, maybe _ proportion of the vote they have, maybe it — proportion of the vote they have, maybe it is — proportion of the vote they have, maybe it is not _ proportion of the vote they have, maybe it is not a _ proportion of the vote they have, maybe it is not a reflection - proportion of the vote they have,

maybe it is not a reflection of- proportion of the vote they have, i maybe it is not a reflection of the count _ maybe it is not a reflection of the count but — maybe it is not a reflection of the count but they _ maybe it is not a reflection of the count but they will _ maybe it is not a reflection of the count but they will be _ maybe it is not a reflection of the count but they will be pleased - maybe it is not a reflection of the count but they will be pleased ini count but they will be pleased in government— count but they will be pleased in government and _ count but they will be pleased in government and really— count but they will be pleased in government and really have - count but they will be pleased in government and really have a i count but they will be pleased in - government and really have a mandate from people _ government and really have a mandate from purple-— from people. reform is often talked about a 1-man _ from people. reform is often talked about a 1-man band, _ from people. reform is often talked about a 1-man band, the _ from people. reform is often talked about a 1-man band, the man - from people. reform is often talked about a 1-man band, the man being| about a i—man band, the man being nigel farage. are there 12 other good quality reform to be in parliament? what are these 12 other people going to be like? i parliament? what are these 12 other people going to be like?— people going to be like? i think eve one people going to be like? i think everyone is... _ people going to be like? i think everyone is... they _ people going to be like? i think everyone is... they follow - people going to be like? i think everyone is... they follow the i people going to be like? i think - everyone is... they follow the party line and _ everyone is... they follow the party line and i— everyone is... they follow the party line and i think— everyone is... they follow the party line and i think the _ everyone is... they follow the party line and i think the politics- everyone is... they follow the party line and i think the politics of- everyone is... they follow the party line and i think the politics of the i line and i think the politics of the party, _ line and i think the politics of the party. they— line and i think the politics of the party. they are _ line and i think the politics of the party, they are addressing - line and i think the politics of the party, they are addressing the i party, they are addressing the concerns— party, they are addressing the concerns people _ party, they are addressing the concerns people actually - party, they are addressing the | concerns people actually have. party, they are addressing the - concerns people actually have. they seek conservatives _ concerns people actually have. they seek conservatives have _ concerns people actually have. they seek conservatives have fumbled i concerns people actually have. theyl seek conservatives have fumbled the ba l . seek conservatives have fumbled the bag they _ seek conservatives have fumbled the bag they were — seek conservatives have fumbled the bag. they were given _ seek conservatives have fumbled the bag. they were given a _ seek conservatives have fumbled the bag. they were given a massive - bag. they were given a massive majority — bag. they were given a massive majority in _ bag. they were given a massive majority in the _ bag. they were given a massive majority in the last _ bag. they were given a massive majority in the last election - bag. they were given a massive majority in the last election and completely_ majority in the last election and completely wasted _ majority in the last election and completely wasted it, _ majority in the last election and completely wasted it, i- majority in the last election and completely wasted it, i think. . majority in the last election and i completely wasted it, i think. with labour, _ completely wasted it, i think. with labour, i— completely wasted it, i think. with labour, i do — completely wasted it, i think. with labour, i do not _ completely wasted it, i think. with labour, i do not see _ completely wasted it, i think. with labour, i do not see change. - completely wasted it, i think. with labour, i do not see change. they| labour, i do not see change. they say labour, i do not see change. they say it— labour, i do not see change. they say it is— labour, i do not see change. they say it is time _ labour, i do not see change. they say it is time for— labour, i do not see change. they say it is time for change _ labour, i do not see change. they say it is time for change but- labour, i do not see change. they say it is time for change but i- labour, i do not see change. they say it is time for change but i do. say it is time for change but i do not think— say it is time for change but i do not think that _ say it is time for change but i do not think that is _ say it is time for change but i do not think that is the _ say it is time for change but i do not think that is the case - say it is time for change but i do not think that is the case at - say it is time for change but i do not think that is the case at all. i not think that is the case at all. lib demsm _ not think that is the case at all. lib demsm i'm _ not think that is the case at all. lib dems... i'm going - not think that is the case at all. lib dems... i'm going to - not think that is the case at all. lib dems... i'm going to ask. not think that is the case at all. i lib dems... i'm going to ask david about the lib dems. they are not getting a lot of attention tonight

because of the bigger story going on but how do you think if there is over 50 lib dems, back to the good old days? i’m over 50 lib dems, back to the good old da s? �* ., over 50 lib dems, back to the good olddas?�* ., old days? i'm voting tactically in my constituency _ old days? i'm voting tactically in my constituency but, _ old days? i'm voting tactically in my constituency but, yes, - old days? i'm voting tactically in my constituency but, yes, those numbers back before the bad times when they lost an awful lot of seats. it was the obvious alternative to the tory situation in our constituency and to be honest people have just had our constituency and to be honest people havejust had enough. so many lies, the economy read, so many things going wrong.— lies, the economy read, so many things going wrong. thank you very much ou things going wrong. thank you very much you three. _ things going wrong. thank you very much you three. as _ things going wrong. thank you very much you three. as follows, - things going wrong. thank you very much you three. as follows, peterl much you three. as follows, peter gibson, conservative _ much you three. as follows, peter gibson, conservative party-

gibson, conservative party candidate, 14,323 laura mcavoy labour party, 16,621, matthew is count, green party, 2837. simon thorley, liberal democrats, 1735. michael walker, reform uk, 6852. i have to deal with the rejected ballot papers. 121 ballot papers were rejected. there were no rejected for marking... 0k were rejected. there were no rejected for marking... ok so labour have taken the seat of darlington from the conservatives. thea;r have taken the seat of darlington from the conservatives. they took it into thousand _ from the conservatives. they took it into thousand 19. _ from the conservatives. they took it into thousand 19. it _ from the conservatives. they took it into thousand 19. it is _ from the conservatives. they took it into thousand 19. it is mcavoy - from the conservatives. they took it into thousand 19. it is mcavoy who l into thousand 19. it is mcavoy who has taken it. in second place

michael walker from reform has taken it. in second place michael walkerfrom reform uk. the turnout again disappointing. 60% but the majority 2298 so labour taking back darlington from the conservatives with that majority. a, conservatives with that majority. seed that turned blue into thousand 19 has attained red again. you can see what happened to the conservative share, crashing by 16%. labour barely coming up at all and the reform party up by 13%. reform did not do enough to defeat the conservatives into second place but if the reform had not been around, the tories would have held it. a swing of a .1%. darlington once again in labour hands. they listed

in 2019 and back in labour hands tonight. in 2019 and back in labour hands toniaht. . . , , in 2019 and back in labour hands toniuht. ., ., , , ., tonight. labour a winning sense, no ruestion tonight. labour a winning sense, no question about _ tonight. labour a winning sense, no question about that _ tonight. labour a winning sense, no question about that and _ tonight. labour a winning sense, no question about that and the - tonight. labour a winning sense, no question about that and the exit - question about that and the exit poll was full a majority of 170 seats. a majority. so they are doing well. that is the story but reform and their percentage share is also part of the mix and one of the seats that labour have taken this evening is strout and reeta has been drilling down into the numbers. i drilling down into the numbers. i have indeed. in that cox wells, drilling down into the numbers. i have indeed. in that cox wells, a top labour, and it is quite a bellwether seat. top labour, and it is quite a bellwetherseat. it top labour, and it is quite a bellwether seat. it was labour during the days of tony blair and then conservative during the cameron years. fix. then conservative during the cameron ears. �* . ,., ~ .

years. a new labour mp with a ma'ori years. a new labour mp with a majority of _ years. a new labour mp with a majority of over _ years. a new labour mp with a majority of over 11,000. - years. a new labour mp with a | majority of over 11,000. people years. a new labour mp with a - majority of over 11,000. people have really come out to cast their vote here stroud in. labour up by 5% and the conservatives down, 20% of their votes lost since 2019. 10% up by reform and the swing here from the conservatives to labour is 12%. labour only needed to% to take stroud so they have done it with bells on, really.— bells on, really. thank you. the nuneaton _ bells on, really. thank you. the nuneaton result, _ bells on, really. thank you. the nuneaton result, classic- bells on, really. thank you. the - nuneaton result, classic bellwether seat. labour under blair. labour have taken it from the conservatives. a nursery manager, beating a government web and on the

tory right, 11,000 and plus. the turnout disappointing, 57% but the majority and reform coming in with a healthy majority. the majority and reform coming in with a healthy majority-— healthy majority. the prime minister cam aiaunin healthy majority. the prime minister campaigning there — healthy majority. the prime minister campaigning there just _ healthy majority. the prime minister campaigning there just the _ healthy majority. the prime minister campaigning there just the other - campaigning there just the other day. campaigning there just the other day it— campaigning there 'ust the other da . ., ., day. it did not save them. one of those absolute _ day. it did not save them. one of those absolute classic _ day. it did not save them. one of those absolute classic seats - day. it did not save them. one of. those absolute classic seats around the country that tends to vote with the country that tends to vote with the prevailing wind of the nation. labour up 5% which is significant. the tories crashing by 32% that is falling off a cliff. a very significant swing in the seat. the kind of seat where labour had to be making significant progress and signed that is absolutely what they are doing. signed that is absolutely what they are doinu. 1, , ., .

signed that is absolutely what they aredoin. ., . �* are doing. basildon and billericay, the recount _ are doing. basildon and billericay, the recount involve _ are doing. basildon and billericay, the recount involve the _ the recount involve the conservatives. the labour leader of the local _ conservatives. the labour leader of the local council saying there are 20 votes — the local council saying there are 20 votes in — the local council saying there are 20 votes in it. a the local council saying there are 20 votes in it.— the local council saying there are 20 votes in it._ we . the local council saying there are | 20 votes in it._ we will 20 votes in it. a nailbiter. we will see. a 20 votes in it. a nailbiter. we will see- a quick _ 20 votes in it. a nailbiter. we will see. a quick tally _ 20 votes in it. a nailbiter. we will see. a quick tally of _ 20 votes in it. a nailbiter. we will see. a quick tally of where - 20 votes in it. a nailbiter. we will see. a quick tally of where we - 20 votes in it. a nailbiter. we willj see. a quick tally of where we are so far this evening. coming up to two o'clock in the morning. labour are under 13 seats, up four. the conservatives have a single seat and they are down five. the liberal democrats up one seat. reform no sense but we have talked a lot this evening about that vote share and the greens on no seats yet so far. there is a long time to go.- there is a long time to go. there is. i there is a long time to go. there is- l have — there is a long time to go. there is- l have a _ there is a long time to go. there is. i have a mouthful— there is a long time to go. there is. i have a mouthful of- there is a long time to go. there is. i have a mouthful of banana. | is. i have a mouthful of banana. well, _ is. i have a mouthful of banana. well, we — is. i have a mouthful of banana. well, we need our energy. laughter. well, we need our energy. laughter. we will no well, we need our energy. laughter. we will go a — well, we need our energy. laughter. we will go a new— well, we need our energy. laughter. we will go a new duet _ well, we need our energy. laughter. we will go a new duet to _ well, we need our energy. laughter. we will go a new duet to the _ well, we need our energy. laughter. we will go a new duet to the table - we will go a new duet to the table while you two about and talk about your snakes. while you two about and talk about yoursnakes. dame while you two about and talk about your snakes. dame margaret lodge,

lundell labour politician on the way to the house of lords and lee kane who was borisjohnson 's director of communication and one of the people who was part of the 2019 campaign that turned the red to blue and now tonight it seems you are seeing the blue being turned back to red again. what has happened that has smashed to beat that group of voters, that victory you had in 2019? i to beat that group of voters, that victory you had in 2019?- to beat that group of voters, that victory you had in 2019? i was with boris victory you had in 2019? i was with iaoris johnson _ victory you had in 2019? i was with boris johnson when _ victory you had in 2019? i was with boris johnson when he _ victory you had in 2019? i was with boris johnson when he wrote - victory you had in 2019? i was with boris johnson when he wrote and l boris johnson when he wrote and delivered — boris johnson when he wrote and delivered the speech where he told that new _ delivered the speech where he told that new coalition, thanking them for lending us the vote. he went on to say— for lending us the vote. he went on to say that — for lending us the vote. he went on to say that people here want change and we _ to say that people here want change and we cannot, we cannot and must not let— and we cannot, we cannot and must not let them — and we cannot, we cannot and must not let them down and we did. and if that is— not let them down and we did. and if that is a _ not let them down and we did. and if that is a fundamental reason why we are seeing _ that is a fundamental reason why we are seeing people deserting the tory party in _ are seeing people deserting the tory party in droves. gne are seeing people deserting the tory party in droves— party in droves. one of the reasons they might — party in droves. one of the reasons they might say _ party in droves. one of the reasons they might say they _ party in droves. one of the reasons they might say they have _ party in droves. one of the reasons they might say they have switched | party in droves. one of the reasons i they might say they have switched to labour, and we are watching pictures in the corner of your screen, the

labour deputy leader. she might walk into that door. many people might think it was not that you just didn't do the things you promising 2019 but also the way borisjohnson went on to govern and it is also because of things about party gait. declaration in barnsley. as follows. baker, penny, liberal democrats, 1336. devoy, tony, yorkshire party, 603. fisher, neil, independent, 616. hayes, tom, green party, 1805. jarvis, dan, labour party, 18,600 and ten. the conservative party candidate, 3000 83. lomas, robert,

reform uk 10,799 and english democrats national party, 42. and they were 114 spoiled ballots. again, you see there and the north of england, held by the labour and p and former military man, —— and former military man. we are going to go straight to another declaration. the conservative party candidate, 6594. anna christine forsythe, green party, 3794, durrantjames longhorn,

404. rachel wreath, labour party, 18,976. cheering and applause. dan bob carr, liberal democrats 1743. sasha watson, social democratic party, 79. and whitehead, reform uk 6281. the total numbers of babies rejected, 121. i hereby declare that rachel reeve is duly elected. cheering and applause. she is about to give her victory speech. let's listen in.- she is about to give her victory speech. let's listen in. thank you. it is a speech. let's listen in. thank you. it is a huge _ speech. let's listen in. thank you. it is a huge honour— speech. let's listen in. thank you. it is a huge honour and _ speech. let's listen in. thank you. it is a huge honour and privilege i speech. let's listen in. thank you. | it is a huge honour and privilege to have _ it is a huge honour and privilege to have treen— it is a huge honour and privilege to

have been returned as the labour member— have been returned as the labour member of— have been returned as the labour member of parliament for leeds west and pudsey. member of parliament for leeds west and pudse . . and pudsey. cheering let me begin - and pudsey. cheering let me begin by - and pudsey. cheering | let me begin by thanking and pudsey. cheering - let me begin by thanking the returning officer, the counting agents. — returning officer, the counting agents, the polling clerks and the police _ agents, the polling clerks and the police who make elections possible. let me _ police who make elections possible. let me also — police who make elections possible. let me also thank the other candidates in this contest for the campaigns that they have run. i want to thank— campaigns that they have run. i want to thank my— campaigns that they have run. i want to thank my team, all our labour councillors — to thank my team, all our labour councillors and everyone who has volunteered in armley, bramley, cavani. _ volunteered in armley, bramley, cavani, farsley and pudsey. i could never— cavani, farsley and pudsey. i could never list _ cavani, farsley and pudsey. i could never list all — cavani, farsley and pudsey. i could never list all of those who support and friendship i have been so grateful— and friendship i have been so grateful for these last 14 years or more, _ grateful for these last 14 years or more. but — grateful for these last 14 years or more, but special thanks must go to my election — more, but special thanks must go to my election agentjoe more, but special thanks must go to my election agent joe fidesz. cheering and also to my predecessorjohn battle. _ and also to my predecessorjohn battle, whose help... and also to my predecessorjohn battle, whose help. . .— battle, whose help... applause whose help _ battle, whose help... applause whose help and _ battle, whose help... applause whose help and generosity - battle, whose help... applause whose help and generosity have| battle, whose help... applause - whose help and generosity have been invaluable _ whose help and generosity have been invaluable for so many years. a word too for _ invaluable for so many years. a word too for somebody who isn't with us

today _ too for somebody who isn't with us today. jane — too for somebody who isn't with us today. jane hill, who ran my constituency office for the best