JO Swinson has quit as leader of the Lib Dems this morning after she lost her seat to the SNP by 149 votes – and Nicola Sturgeon couldn’t hide her joy.
The party leader – savaged for her below-par campaign performances – lost her Dunbartonshire East seat with 19,523 votes to Amy Callaghan’s 19,672.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon pumped her fists in the air after finding out the party’s candidate Ms Callaghan had taken the seat.
It’s a blow to the Lib Dems after Ms Swinson was only just elected as leader this year.
In the early hours of the morning the Lib Dems announced she would resign and a leadership election would be triggered in the New Year.
Meanwhile Ed Davey and Sal Brinton will be acting leaders.
Speaking after her defeat, she said the Lib Dems would continue to promote openness and fairness.
In an emotional address, she told crowds: “I still believe that we as a country can be warm and generous inclusive and open by working together with our nearest neighbours we can achieve so much more.”
After her defeat, Sir Ed Davey and Baroness Sal Brinton will become the joint acting leaders of the Liberal Democrats, the party said this morning.
Her pledge to cancel Brexit on day one of a Lib Dem government saw the party slide in the polls throughout the campaign – triggering a last-minute pivot to backing a second referendum.
Meanwhile flip-flipping Chuka Umunna – who went from Labour to Change UK to Lib Dem ahead of the election – sensationally lost his seat.
Chukasuffered a dramatic fall from grace this morning after once being heavily tipped to become Labour leader.
Meanwhile Boris Johnson was applauded and cheered by supporters as he arrived in Uxbridge alongside girlfriend Carrie.
Just after 5am this morning the PM’s majority was confirmed as he made it over the line to formally win the election.
Meanwhile, Mr Corbyn said he will step down as Labour boss before the next election after failing to win a second poll in a row – and taking the party to its worst result in 40 years.
He said as he won his seat in Islington North: “I want to also make it clear that I will not lead the party in any future general election campaign.
“I will discuss with our party to ensure there is a process now of reflection on this result and on the policies that the party will take going forward.
“And I will lead the party during that period to ensure that discussion takes place and we move on into the future.”
The third General Election in less than five years has been largely dominated by the 2016 vote to leave the European Union – with Labour pledging to give voters another say in a second referendum, while the Tories have vowed to take the UK out of the EU next month.
The last election in the UK in 2017 saw a 68.8 per cent turnout, higher than at the 2015 and 2010 elections – with bookies offering 6-4 odds on a 65-70 per cent turnout this year.
