Appalling weather fails to curb turnout as PM’S gamble pays off

secretary, said: “I am deeply, deeply depressed if these projections prove true, because we will have let a lot of people down.”

Asked if Mr Corbyn now had to go, he said: “The leadership of the party will be discussing these things in the next few days.”

Mr Mcdonnell said: “A lot of people thought the polls were narrowing. We knew it would be tough.

“I think Brexit has dominated everything, by the looks of it. We thought other issues could cut through and there would be a wider debate.

“It sounds like people wanted a decision on Brexit. Even those who supported Remain thought, ‘Let’s just get this out of the way now.’”

Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, insisted that the

SNP’S strong result in Scotland did not make a second referendum more likely.

Mr Johnson had taken a huge gamble by calling the first December election since 1923, but appalling weather across the country appeared to have had little or no effect on turnout.

Predictions of tactical voting swinging the result away from the Conservatives proved to be well wide of the mark as Labour and the Lib Dems failed to make serious inroads in marginal seats.

In Brussels, gasps echoed around the European Council summit building as EU leaders heard the exit poll result as they finished a working dinner during a two-day meeting.

More than 600 of the 650 constituencies were expected to have declared by 7am today, with later results in some parts of Cornwall.