The big reveal
The exit poll was a huge surprise. The number of Conservative seats forecast – at 316 – was far more than anyone predicted. In the Guardian newsroom there was that sense of frenetic activity you only get when something unexpected breaks. Michael Gove was the first senior Tory to react. He told the BBC that any government led by David Cameron would have “considerable authority” if the projection proved correct.
Even Michael Gove is surprised by the exit poll.
— Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) May 7, 2015
Speaking for the Lib Dems, former leader Paddy Ashdown told Andrew Neil “If this exit poll is correct, I’ll publicly eat my hat,” though he was obviously worried: he hastily added that it would be made of marzipan.
Tomorrow's Guardian first edition: Shocker pic.twitter.com/0UdnkgbIDD
— Paul johnson (@paul__johnson) May 7, 2015
The first result
In the safe Labour seat of Sunderland South, Bridget Phillipson won as expected, but with a huge swing to Ukip, which came second. The Conservatives were in third place, the Greens fourth and the Liberal Democrats a pitiful fifth, with only 791 votes: a portent of the terrible things to come for the junior partners in the coalition government.
Tristram Hunt putting a brave face on it
As the news turned from bad to worse for Labour, the shadow education secretary, Tristram Hunt, told Andrew Neil that Ed Miliband had “exceeded expectations”. What sounded like backhanded compliment was in fact an show of loyalty. But Hunt’s positive spin became harder to buy as the night wore on, and pundits began writing Miliband’s political obituary.
Hunt says Miliband “exceeded expectations" @afneil: “How in any definition of the english language could that be?!" pic.twitter.com/OUF4InCpkB
— Mark Di Stefano (@MarkDiStef) May 8, 2015
Competin’ in Nuneaton
Standing in front of an incongruously sunny backdrop, at 1.50 in the morning, the Conservative candidate for crucial seat of Nuneaton smiled broadly as he heard a result he can only have dreamt of. Labour needed a 2.3% swing to gain this key seat. In fact, the swing went against them and the Conservatives increased their share of the vote by 4%.
The Lib Dem wipeout
Before midnight the party had already lost three deposits.
LibDems lose 3/3 £500 deposits so far, under 5% of vote. Didn't lose any in 2010.
— Adam Boulton (@adamboultonSKY) May 7, 2015
In many constituencies it was pushed into fourth or even fifth place. The list of prominent Lib Dems who lost their seats was long: veteran MP Menzies Campbell, justice minister Simon Hughes, chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander, business secretary Vince Cable, schools minister David Laws and former leader Charlie Kennedy.
Douglas Alexander defeated by a 20-year-old
Earlier in the evening, the shadow foreign secretary had apparently believed he could hold onto the seat. But he was swept away by a 27% swing from Labour to the SNP. The trouncing was made all the more remarkable by the fact that the Nationalist candidate, Mhairi Black, is only 20. She will become the youngest MP for 348 years. Elsewhere in Scotland the news for Labour was just as dire. The Scottish Labour leader, Jim Murphy, lost his seat, and the largest swing of the election, 39% from Labour to the SNP, was recorded in Glasgow North East.
The Scottish lion roaring
Speaking after winning his seat in Gordon, the former Scottish first minister said “there is a swing underway in Scotland the like of which has not been seen in recorded politics”. He went on, to rapturous applause: “It is an extraordinary statement of intent from the people of Scotland. The Scottish lion has roared this morning across the country”.
George Galloway loses to Labour
The bitterly fought contest for Bradford West, between George Galloway and Labour challenger Naz Shah, ended in defeat for the Respect MP. Labour now has a majority of 11,420 in the seat.
Ed Miliband’s speech in Doncaster
A Labour leader described as “ashen” by Laura Kuenssberg spoke for the first time at the count for his constituency, Doncaster North. “This has clearly been a very disappointing and difficult night for the Labour party,” he said. “In Scotland we’ve seen a surge of nationalism overwhelm our party. The next government has a huge responsibility ... in facing the very difficult task of holding our country together.”
Aides of @Ed_Miliband look forlorn. One tells me just feels 'really, really tired' and then tears well up in his eyes #brutal #GE2015
— Jon Sopel (@BBCJonSopel) May 8, 2015
It's over. @Ed_Miliband didn't formally concede defeat but his face and his reference to "a very disappointing & difficult night" did
— Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson) May 8, 2015
David Cameron’s speech in Witney
Just after dawn in Oxfordshire, David Cameron addressed crowds after hearing that he’d increased his majority by a couple of thousand votes.
Fresh as daisy. David Cameron relishing his win.
— John Rentoul (@JohnRentoul) May 8, 2015
His theme was the unity of the UK, and he held out the prospect of immediate devolution for Scotland and Wales. “I want to bring our country together,” he said. “I want my party and I hope a government I would like to lead to reclaim a mantle that we should never have lost, the mantle of one nation, one United Kingdom.”
David Cameron promises to press ahead with further Scottish devolution but doesn't yet claim the keys to Downing Street - 5.50 am
— Alan Travis (@alantravis40) May 8, 2015
This election looking like huge personal triumph for David Cameron (which must annoy many in his own party as well as in his rivals) #GE2015
— Ian Birrell (@ianbirrell) May 8, 2015
