Let’s rewind to 10pm yesterday evening, when the exit poll was released. Most
politicos – myself included – were incredulous. We could just about believe that there might be a hung Parliament with the Tories as the largest party, but a reduced number of Lib Dem
seats? After Cleggmania and all those recent opinion polls? Gedouttahere.
But, this morning, that exit poll is looking a good deal more prescient. After an evening of erratic results, Sky’s projection matches it almost exactly: 309 seats for the Tories, 259 for Labour, and 54 for the Lib Dems. So we’re on for a hung parliament, and all the backroom discussion and subterfuge that that entails.
Already, the dividing lines have been traced across Westminster. The Tories are saying that Labour have lost their mandate to govern, while Labour are pushing the idea of a “progressive consensus” with the Lib Dems.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in