Labour high spirits were dampened later in the day when Prime Minister Theresa May, in spite of an election debacle that saw her Conservatives lose their parliamentary majority, told the nation she would stay on in a minority government coalition. Mrs May said on Twitter on May 20: “If I lose just six seats I will lose this election and Jeremy Corbyn will be sitting down to negotiate with Europe.”

It seems she has indeed lost six seats - or more. Even if the Conservatives won all the remaining seats, the party would fall short of the 326 needed for an outright majority. “If the election results in a hung parliament, the pound could fall as low as $1.25 on Friday.”

On April 18, May had called for a snap election three years earlier than scheduled, saying it would help Britain make a smooth exit from the European Union. “What’s happened is people have said they have had quite enough of austerity,” he said, adding it was time for a government that is “truly representative of all the people of this country.”

Earlier in the night, Corbyn said his campaign had upended the country’s political landscape. • Election result: Exit poll shows Conservatives gain no seats at all in the West Midlands

Her own party may be furious at her, both for calling and unnecessary election and for running a lousy campaign.
Polls open in the United Kingdom, with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and incumbent Theresa May of the Conservatives battling in a tight race, according to final opinion polling, to become prime minister.