John Curtice: Pollster who predicted shock 2017 election result given knighthood

The pollster who predicted the shock general election result has been awarded a knighthood in the New Year Honours.

Sir John Curtice was regarded by some as a winner of election night when he stunned the nation by foreseeing that Theresa May would lose her Commons majority – despite the Tories wielding a significant lead over Labour in the polls at the start of the campaign.

The 64-year-old psephologist, who has become an unlikely celebrity through his work on elections over the last three decades, said he was “surprised - and humbled” to be honoured.

Sir John, a professor of politics at Strathclyde University, said: "Just six months ago the exit poll I led surprised everyone with a shock prediction that went on to be uncannily accurate. Now it is my turn to be surprised - and humbled - by the gracious decision to grant me a knighthood.

"It is not something I ever expected to happen. But it appears that my attempts to analyse public opinion and outline its implications for the country's political life and public policy are appreciated."

Just after 10pm on June 8, Sir John delivered the results of his exit poll which foretold that Ms May's snap election gamble had failed and the Conservatives would lose their parliamentary majority.

The Prime Minister called the early election to strengthen her hand in the Brexit negotiations, and the Conservatives still believed they would perform well despite a lacklustre campaign.

But Sir John's survey of some 20,000 voters leaving polling stations suggested the Tories had taken just 314 seats, while Labour would increase its share to 266. The final results were 318 and 262.

The calamitous result plunged Ms May's party into chaos and forced the Prime Minister to strike a deal with the Democratic Unionist party (DUP), to shore up her weakened administration.

It was not the first time he has proved his doubters wrong.

Former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown famously said he would eat his hat if Sir John's 2015 exit poll proved correct, which said the Lib Dems would lose all but 10 seats. Lord Ashdown was later forced to consume a hat made of chocolate live on television when the party only won eight seats.

Born in Cornwall, Sir John studied politics, philosophy and economics at Oxford University, and was a student with Sir David Butler, who helped to devise the swingometer.

As well as his academic role at Strathclyde University, Sir John also works as a senior research fellow at NatCen Social Research and is president of the British Polling Council.

His presence in Britain's electoral coverage has become so ubiquitous that he even has a Twitter parody account - JohnCurticeonTV - which keeps its 9,000-plus followers informed of his frequent media appearances.

Conservative Graham Brady, who chairs the influential 1922 committee, was also awarded a knighthood, alongside former Liberal Democrat deputy prime minister Nick Clegg.

On the Labour side, Commons Deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle and Preston MP Mark Hendrick were also knighted.