The exit poll is predicting a massive Labour landslide, but voters online have given a mixed reaction to the forecast.
In a shocking projection the Tories are expected to see their seats slashed from 365 to just 131 – their worst performance in modern political history.
Whereas Labour is on course for a major boost of 170 new seats, falling just short of the 179-seat majority Tony Blair won in 1997.
Yet the social media response remains divided as one describes ‘cheers from the flats around me’ over the prospect of a Labour government while another says ‘It could have been far, far worse for the Tories’.
The Tories are expected to be slashed from the 365 secured less than five years ago to just 131 – their worst performance in modern political history
Sir Keir arrived with his wife Victoria to cast their votes this morning at a polling station in their Holborn and St Pancras constituency in north London
Social media users express their skepticism about the exit poll
One social media user thought the reaction to the exit poll was over hyped and remained unconvinced that anything would change.
‘The hyperbole around the exit poll is actually annoying me. This is not a 1997 moment. There is no money. The country is absolutely in the doldrums. Even if it is the landslide predicted, will there be that much change? I hope I’m wrong.’
Another wrote: ‘Well, if that’s how it all pans out (i.e. like the exit poll), then it could have been far, far worse for the tories.’
A third added: ‘Massive cheers from the flats around me and down the street as the exit poll was announced #C4britainDecides.’
A fourth said: ‘Given the volatility and the narrow margins in many seats..I don’t trust that exit poll.’
Social media user claims he does not trust the exit poll results
Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arrived to cast their vote at Kirby Sigston Village Hall in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, this morning
Moments after ballot stations closed at 10pm, the dramatic exit poll was released – showing Sir Keir winning 410 of the 650 seats
Although the exit survey, run for broadcasters by polling guru Sir John Curtice, is not guaranteed to be exact, it has accurately reflected the outcome in the past few elections.
Sir Keir gave a muted reaction to the bombshell, posting on social media: ‘To everyone who has campaigned for Labour in this election, to everyone who voted for us and put their trust in our changed Labour Party – thank you.’
But his allies were far less restrained, with Lord Mandelson gloating that he was ‘gobsmacked’ and an ‘electoral meteor’ had ‘struck planet Earth’. He said it would have required a ‘superman’ to save the Tories and Rishi Sunak ‘is not superman’.
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner – who could be set to become deputy PM within hours – said the numbers were ‘encouraging’ and praised Sir Keir’s leadership.
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting was in tears as he was told the figures on live TV.
Nigel Farage was seen driving through Clacton, the Essex seaside constituency where he is hoping to be elected the local MP, in an old military vehicle as he rallied the final support for his campaign
Nigel Farage will find out whether his eighth attempt at becoming an MP has been successful when his constituency of Clacton declares at around 4am
Reform are expected to return more than a dozen MPs based on the exit poll, making it the most significant new political party in recent times.
Sir John Curtice told the BBC: ‘It looks as though Reform may win more seats than many polls suggested.
‘This is largely because, not only has the Conservative vote fallen far in seats they previously held, but also because Reform has advanced most in areas people voted Leave in the 2016 EU referendum.
However, how many seats Reform will win is highly uncertain – our model suggests there are many places where they have some – but a relatively low – chance of winning.
