Election 2017 live updates: Theresa May claims Conservative government supported by DUP will provide 'certainty'
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Theresa May has said she will form a Conservative government backed by the DUP, claiming it can bring "certainty" to the UK.
After visiting the Queen, the Prime Minister claimed there was a "strong relationship" between the two parties, amid concern over the DUP's controversial anti-abortion and anti-LGBT policies.
The PM has also apologised to Conservatives who lost last night. She said: "I'm sorry for all those colleagues who lost their seats." She will "reflect on what we need to do in the future to take the party forward" after the result, she added.
The UK voted for a hung parliament after shock losses for the Conservatives in the 2017 general election. With 649 of 650 seats declared, the Tories had 318 seats - eight short of the figure needed to win outright - with Labour on 261, the SNP on 35 and Liberal Democrats on 12.
Jeremy Corbyn's party increase its share of the vote by 9.6 per cent, while the Tories were up 5.5 per cent, the Liberal Democrats, Greens and SNP saw small loses and Ukip's vote collapsed.
The live blog has now ended
Politicians, voters, and even their pets have been heading to polling stations and are posing for the cameras at every opportunity.
The Prime Minister has made clear that she would rely on the support of the Democratic Unionist Party in order to get her programme through Parliament, despite concern over its stance on issues including equal marriage, abortion and climate change.
Making no allusion to losses suffered by the Conservatives, Ms May said she intended to press ahead with her plans for Brexit.
She faced calls from within her own party to consider her own position after the election, which she brought forward by three years in the hope it would deliver an increased majority in the Commons.
Jeremy Corbyn urged her to resign and allow him to form a minority administration, declaring: “We are ready to serve this country.”
But, after intensive talks with the DUP, the Prime Minister instead drove the short distance to Buckingham Palace to ask the Queen for permission to form a new government.
The final election results came in late on Friday, after Kensington finally declared a Labour win — with a tiny 20-vote majority. They were:
Theresa May is now on her way back to Downing Street from Buckingham Palace, meaning her speech outside Downing Street is imminent.
Theresa May has arrived at Downing Street and is walking up to speak at the podium.
Theresa May says she is forming a government that can "provide certainty and lead Britain forward at a critical time for our country".
"This government will guide the country through crucial Brexit talks that begin in just 10 days."
Ms May says her government will work to keep the UK "safe and secure", bringing in changes outlined after the Manchester and London attacks and giving police and authorities the powers they need.
"Fairness and opportunity" will be at the heart of what the government does, the Prime Minister says. "A country in which prosperity and opportunity is shared."
Ms May says the country needs "certainty", claiming "only the Conservatives and Deputy Unionist Party" are able to deliver it in the Commons.
She hails the "strong relationship" between the two parties and will "be able to work together in the interests of the whole of the United Kingdom."
"Now lets get to work," the Prime Minister closes, exiting inside Downing Street as reporters shout out questions including: "What the election a mistake". The vote has taken the Conservatives from a majority into a minority government, needing the support of a party whose policies are deeply problematic for many British voters.
So, no mention of "strong and stable", but repeated mentions of "certainty", which is already being heavily criticised amid continued political instability.
Political commentators say Theresa May's speech appears to be much the same as that planned for an expected outright election victory with an increased majority.
The Prime Minister made only a fleeting reference to the DUP and no allusion to losses or wavering conference in the Tories and their plan for Brexit.
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