Election results – live: Thornberry denies calling Labour Leave supporters ‘stupid’ as Tories and SNP clash over Indyref2

Former Tory MP Ed Vaizey claims Boris Johnson could be a 'centre-left Conservative PM'

Speaking to Channel 4, Mr Vaizey claimed newly elected MPs in the former “red wall” are not “careerists” like himself and are going to “very much change the tone of the Conservative Party”.

Speaking of Michael Gove and Dominic Cummings, he added: “There is a passion and drive at the centre of Downing Street really to make a difference, not just because of political strategy or opportunity.”

Johnson's 'revolutionary' plans to shake up government and cabinet could be distraction from delivery of public services, union warns

Andrew Woodcock reports that a union representing senior civil servants has warned Boris Johnson’s plans to shake up Whitehall risk being a wasteful “distraction” from the delivery of key public services.

A former Europe adviser to Theresa May has also warned that the government and civil service are not “match fit” for the negotiations with Brussels on a future trade relationship which will take up much of the coming year.

Bolstered by his 80-seat majority from Thursday’s general election, the prime minister is understood to be planning a “revolutionary” overhaul of the machinery of government, driven by his close adviser Dominic Cummings.

Read more here: 

More Scottish Labour figures openly question party's opposition to IndyRef2

After a disastrous election result in which Labour lost all but one of its seven seats, several former and current MSPs have questioned their party's stance.

The party's Holyrood health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said while she was opposed to independence "people in Scotland have voted in very large numbers for the SNP, including many Labour voters".

Former Scottish Labour MP Ged Killen, who lost the Rutherglen and Hamilton West seat to the SNP, signalled his agreement on Twitter.

He said: "I campaigned on a promise to vote against indyref2, but I lost. The SNP made massive gains on a promise to hold another referendum and, as democrats, we must accept it even if we don't like it."

Their comments came after Labour councillor Alison Evison, the president of the local authority group Cosla, said democracy could be strengthened "by enabling the voice of Scotland to be heard through its formal processes", adding "that must mean a referendum on independence".

Meanwhile, another defeated MP, Paul Sweeney, said the party must look at backing "radical reform" for a more federal United Kingdom.

Mr Sweeney, who had been the MP for Glasgow North East, said while he did not believe independence would be the best outcome for Scots "we cannot tolerate the status quo any more".

Neil Findlay MSP also wrote a column published today claiming Scottish Labour "cannot deny the people of Scotland a referendum when the majority is calling for it", echoing the "will of the people" rhetoric adopted by Nicola Sturgeon earlier this morning.

Former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said opponents of independence needed to find a new argument for keeping Scotland in the UK - and that the Yes movement had been working since 2014 to overcome the major stumbling blocks of currency and economic security.

"You need a new argument for the union which isn't rooted in Queen and country unionism. You need this regardless of whether referendum is next year or in a generation."

Sturgeon jokes about controversial celebration on election night

Scotland's first minister has turned herself into a meme, sharing footage of herself wildly celebrating 27-year-old Amy Callaghan's victory over Jo Swinson in East Dunbartonshire.

Ms Sturgeon was criticised by some for displaying a lack of sensitivity, and she later apologised, saying: "On a personal level, I really do feel for her, but of course I can't help but be delighted by the performance of my party this evening."

However she appeared to downplay criticism over her reaction by resharing a gif of her celebration with the caption: "TFW the Christmas tree is up and you’ve had only the mildest of disagreements with your husband."

Who will succeed Jeremy Corbyn and how does a Labour leadership contest work?

The battle to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader is already in full swing after the party suffered its worst defeat at the ballot box since the Second World War.

Mr Corbyn said he would stay in place until another leader has been appointed but contenders for the Labour crown are already jockeying for position behind the scenes.

As the contest gets underway, our correspondent Lizzy Buchan takes a look at how the Labour Party elects its leader.

New York Times publishes Steve Bray aka Stop Brexit man's post-election declaration of defiance

The paper published a Reuters report in which Steve Bray, who has achieved fame for standing outside Westminster lambasting politicians with the aid of a traffic cone, declared: "The fight carries on, absolutely.

"I'm going to do everything I can, and I’m sure millions of other people will too. Whilst we are still in the European Union there is hope, albeit the odds are stacked against us. Rome was not built in a day."

Corbyn tells supporters 'our time will come'

The outgoing Labour leader has recorded a video message for his followers in which he takes "full responsibility" for the "deeply disappointing" result, but said: "I'm proud that our movement has created a new political mainstream - one that is anti-austerity and supports public ownership, which has inspired millions of people to engage in politics for the first time."

He was criticised by some this morning over an article he wrote for The Observer, in which he claimed a cynicism among voters had contributed to the result.

Scottish Labour leader said to be mulling historic U-turn on IndyRef2 after crushing electoral defeat

Richard Leonard is considering backing a second Scottish independence referendum after a series of interventions by senior figures in the party, according to The i newspaper, detailed a few posts below.

The party lost all but one of its seven seats north of the border.

While the reports are currently unconfirmed, Mr Leonard earlier signalled his party would be looking to host a public "listening exercise".

The appetite for progressive politics is still there – but we need to deliver by working together

Parties need to stop this squabbling and become a cooperative force to defeat the now united right, Layla Moran writes in The Independent.

Former Scottish Ukip chief unwelcome in Tory party, says Scottish leader

Former Ukip MEP, David Coburn told the BBC he had joined the Tories to help the PM “save the Union” in the event of IndyRef2.

But Jackson Carlaw, Scottish Tory leader, has some sharp words to the contrary.