8 years ago
Exit polls of UK elections favour Theresa May continuing her term as Prime Minister. The snap elections were announced by May on April 18. This elections determine who gets to negotiate Britain's departure from the EU over the next two years, and the strength of mandate that the government will have in parliament for five years. Chief contenders for the post are Theresa May, representing the Conservatives, against Jeremy Corbyn from Labour Party. May's popularity had seen a dip in the past three weeks. The counting began immediately after the polls closed and by dawn the picture of who has won should be clear.
Here are the live updates of UK election:
Follow the election results with us here
The British currency was trading at $1.2751, down 1.5 percent from the day-before level.
Conservative to emerge as largest party with 314 seats, show exit polls
The exit poll predicted the Conservatives would win 314 seats and the Labour Party 266, meaning no clear winner and a "hung parliament". Political deadlock in London could derail negotiations with the other 27 EU countries ahead of Britain's exit from the bloc, due in March 2019, before they even begin in earnest.
The exit poll predicted the Conservatives would win 314 seats and the Labour Party 266, meaning no clear winner and a "hung parliament". Political deadlock in London could derail negotiations with the other 27 EU countries ahead of Britain's exit from the bloc, due in March 2019, before they even begin in earnest.
As exit polls begin coming in, a Brit researcher pays a fun tribute to them
My #lego tribute to #dogsatpollingstations and @ipsosmori exit poll team! pic.twitter.com/ZZJAzNdEry
- Ben Marshall (@BenM_IM) June 8, 2017
Sterling falls after UK election exit poll shows PM May short of majority, reports news agency Reuters.
The Conservatives were set to win 314 seats, followed by Labour on 266, the Liberal Democrats on 14 and the Scottish National Party on 34, the poll for the BBC, Sky and ITV showed.
Exit poll shows no party wins overall majority in British election, reports news agency Agence France Presse. It also shows that Theresa May is expected to continue her stint as Prime Minister of Britain.
Voting closes across Britain. Counting is beginning shortly.
In case you missed it, here are the major parties battling it out this elections
Conservative: The current Prime Minister Theresa May is the candidate for this party. They're called tories by common folk. She has repeatedly called for "strong and stable leadership"
Labour: This is the opposition party. Their socialist leader Jeremy Corbyn is leading the front for them. This time he personally met many young voters.
Liberal Democrats: They were almost wiped out in the last elections. Their candidate is Tim Farron.
Scottish National Party: This party only puts up candidates in Scotland. Their candidate, Nicola Sturgeon, is the current First Minister of Scotland.
UK Independence Party: This pro-Brexit party has lost its only Member in the Parliament.
Pollsters say, that the contest effectively is between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn.
Conservative: The current Prime Minister Theresa May is the candidate for this party. They're called tories by common folk. She has repeatedly called for "strong and stable leadership"
Labour: This is the opposition party. Their socialist leader Jeremy Corbyn is leading the front for them. This time he personally met many young voters.
Liberal Democrats: They were almost wiped out in the last elections. Their candidate is Tim Farron.
Scottish National Party: This party only puts up candidates in Scotland. Their candidate, Nicola Sturgeon, is the current First Minister of Scotland.
UK Independence Party: This pro-Brexit party has lost its only Member in the Parliament.
Pollsters say, that the contest effectively is between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn.
A first time voter
Voted for the first time in my life today.. #feelsgoodman #ElectionDay2017
- Rohan G (@RohanG_) June 8, 2017
Less than an hour to go till polling closes
Just been to vote. Now we wait... #ElectionDay2017
- Morwenna Solange (@MorwennaSolange) June 8, 2017
Hundreds and hundreds of supporters here in Tooting out campaigning for @DrRosena. Another huge team just leaving campaign HQ. #VoteLabour pic.twitter.com/oKeOl82uq4
- Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) June 8, 2017
European Stocks Ahead At Open As Britons Vote
Europe's main stock markets drifted higher at the open on Thursday in cautious deals as Britons began voting in a snap general election.
Europe's main stock markets drifted higher at the open on Thursday in cautious deals as Britons began voting in a snap general election.
Tough Campaigning Before Active Voting
The campaign was hit by a suicide bombing at a Manchester concert on May 22, which killed 22 people including seven children, followed by Saturday's knife and van attack in central London, which left eight dead.
Campaigning was twice suspended in the aftermath of the attacks, which May blamed on "evil" Islamist ideology.
The campaign was hit by a suicide bombing at a Manchester concert on May 22, which killed 22 people including seven children, followed by Saturday's knife and van attack in central London, which left eight dead.
Campaigning was twice suspended in the aftermath of the attacks, which May blamed on "evil" Islamist ideology.
Ballot Box Out For Public Thrice In 2 Years
It is the third time Britain has gone to the polls in two years, twice for a general election and once for the EU referendum, and voter fatigue appeared to be an issue among the early voters.
It is the third time Britain has gone to the polls in two years, twice for a general election and once for the EU referendum, and voter fatigue appeared to be an issue among the early voters.
From Schools To Windmill, Millions Casting Votes In Polling Stations
With security high, millions of voters are casting their ballots in polling stations ranging from schools and public buildings to churches, pubs and even a windmill and a launderette.
With security high, millions of voters are casting their ballots in polling stations ranging from schools and public buildings to churches, pubs and even a windmill and a launderette.
Conservative candidate for Bath, Ben Howlett tweets:
Thanks to all my team who have supported me the last 6 weeks. We'll be out all day encouraging you to get out and vote for me in Bath! pic.twitter.com/5W9wmAN6Q7
- Ben Howlett (@ben4bath) June 8, 2017
Thank you to the 100s of people who've worked so hard over this campaign to ensure B&I remains @BandILabour
- Ruth Cadbury (@RuthCadbury) June 8, 2017
Now just one final 15 hr push! pic.twitter.com/RjxH0XJgIo
Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves a polling station after casting his vote. (AFP)
The Prime Minister Casts Her Vote
Cast my vote with Philip and going to catch up with our campaign locally. Every vote counts - so please #VoteConservative in your area. pic.twitter.com/jpO6tD3OrT
- Theresa May (@theresa_may) June 8, 2017
Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon, and her husband Peter Murrell, leave a Polling Station after casting their ballot paper, in Glasgow, Scotland as Britain holds a general election. (AFP)
Key Points From Manifestos From Parties
BREXIT
Conservatives: Prime Minister Theresa May has already outlined her negotiating demands, saying she will seek a departure from the European Union's single market and an end to free movement of people.
Labour: The party will accept Britain's departure from the European Union, but will fight to retain benefits of the single market, vowing in its manifesto not to leave the bloc without a deal.
IMMIGRATION
Conservatives: The Tories will try to reduce annual net migration to the tens of thousands, down from 248,000 in 2016 although some senior party figures are sceptical whether this can be achieved.
May has promised that Britain will end freedom of movement with European citizens following Brexit.
Labour: Jeremy Corbyn's party has made no pledge to reduce immigration, saying in its manifesto that it "believes in fair rules and reasonable management of migration".
Click here for more pointers from the manifestos
BREXIT
Conservatives: Prime Minister Theresa May has already outlined her negotiating demands, saying she will seek a departure from the European Union's single market and an end to free movement of people.
Labour: The party will accept Britain's departure from the European Union, but will fight to retain benefits of the single market, vowing in its manifesto not to leave the bloc without a deal.
IMMIGRATION
Conservatives: The Tories will try to reduce annual net migration to the tens of thousands, down from 248,000 in 2016 although some senior party figures are sceptical whether this can be achieved.
May has promised that Britain will end freedom of movement with European citizens following Brexit.
Labour: Jeremy Corbyn's party has made no pledge to reduce immigration, saying in its manifesto that it "believes in fair rules and reasonable management of migration".
Click here for more pointers from the manifestos
Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has to say this:
LONDON: This election is so important for our city's future. Have your say and vote today. https://t.co/c6Hm6EBbHY #VoteLabour #GE2017 pic.twitter.com/y7BFOp49Kz
- Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) June 8, 2017
A person pushes a bicycle as they arrive at a Polling Station to cast their ballot paper and vote in London on June 8, 2017. (AFP)
Jeremy Corbyn: Radical Peril Or Amiable Underdog?
A 68-year-old socialist stalwart who has never held major office, opposition Labour party leader Corbyn began the campaign as rank outsider, trailing Prime Minister Theresa May on the existential question of Brexit.
A 68-year-old socialist stalwart who has never held major office, opposition Labour party leader Corbyn began the campaign as rank outsider, trailing Prime Minister Theresa May on the existential question of Brexit.
And David Cameron's pick is:
I urge everyone to back @Theresa_May and the @Conservatives in tomorrow's crucial election. #VoteConservative #GE2017 pic.twitter.com/Z0C1qfr8Qx
- David Cameron (@David_Cameron) June 7, 2017
Best wishes from former Britain Prime Minister David Cameron:
Very best of luck to all @Conservatives candidates today - I remember how nerve-wracking election days can be! #VoteConservative #GE2017 pic.twitter.com/j3ZzLEX3xR
- David Cameron (@David_Cameron) June 8, 2017
What Opinion Polls Say?
Polls initially supported Theresa May gamble, giving her Conservative Party a double-digit lead over its nearest rival, the main opposition Labour Party.
However, the Conservatives' advantage has eroded over the campaign, with pollster YouGov even suggesting on May 30 that the party could fall short of a majority, meaning they would need the support of another party to govern.
But in its latest estimations published on Wednesday, YouGov put the Conservatives seven points ahead of its long-time rival.
ICM put the Conservatives a comfortable 12 points ahead of Labour, a vast difference to a Monday poll by Survation which forecast a gap of just one point.
Polls initially supported Theresa May gamble, giving her Conservative Party a double-digit lead over its nearest rival, the main opposition Labour Party.
However, the Conservatives' advantage has eroded over the campaign, with pollster YouGov even suggesting on May 30 that the party could fall short of a majority, meaning they would need the support of another party to govern.
But in its latest estimations published on Wednesday, YouGov put the Conservatives seven points ahead of its long-time rival.
ICM put the Conservatives a comfortable 12 points ahead of Labour, a vast difference to a Monday poll by Survation which forecast a gap of just one point.
Security on voting day was reviewed following the London attack, with the city's Metropolitan Police force implementing a "specialist and highly flexible operation" which it said could be deployed as needed.
Candidates contesting from top positions are Theresa May from Conservatives and Jeremy Corbyn from Labour Party.
All You Need To Know About UK General Election 2017
Theresa May, who came to power without a national vote last year after David Cameron's resignation, called the election three years early after just one year in charge.
Theresa May, who came to power without a national vote last year after David Cameron's resignation, called the election three years early after just one year in charge.
JUST IN: Polls open in Britain's general election
Here is what Jeremy Corbyn has to say as voting begins in UK:
This is our day. Our time. Our chance. Today, let's come together and #VoteLabour to transform Britain #ForTheMany, not the few. #GE2017 pic.twitter.com/AM8UOXlzk5
- Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) June 8, 2017
Britain Prime Minister Theresa May's message on eve of snap elections:
Back me and together we can make a success of Brexit and build a stronger Britain. Vote Conservative tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/cvJnX5YJJZ
- Theresa May (@theresa_may) June 7, 2017
