UK's Johnson heads for big win in ‘Brexit election’
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Friday that voters had given his government a "powerful new mandate" to take Britain out of the EU next month, as he headed for victory in a landmark election.
With about 600 of 650 seats declared, Johnson's Conservatives secured the 326 seats required for a majority in the House of Commons, gaining 43 seats, while Labour lost 55 to 197, the BBC reported.
The Tories were heading for their biggest majority in parliament since the heyday of Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s, according to exit polls and partial results.
The pound jumped by about two percent against the dollar on hopes that Johnson would deliver his promise to "Get Brexit Done" after years of political deadlock over Britain's future.
With a large majority of MPs, he will be able to get the divorce deal he struck with Brussels through parliament in time to meet the next Brexit deadline of January 31.
Ratifying the deal would formalize the end of almost five decades of EU-UK integration, although both sides still need to thrash out a new trade and security agreement.
France's European affairs minister, Amelie de Montchalin, was the first EU politician to welcome the indications of "a clear majority, something that has been missing in the United Kingdom for several years."
US President Donald Trump on Friday congratulated UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on his election victory, saying their two countries were now free to strike a "massive" new trade deal.
"Congratulations to Boris Johnson on his great WIN!" Trump tweeted.
"Britain and the United States will now be free to strike a massive new Trade Deal after BREXIT. This deal has the potential to be far bigger and more lucrative than any deal that could be made with the E.U. Celebrate Boris!"