UK: Tories secure majority as Corbyn says he won't lead Labour into next election
LONDON-Anadolu Agency
Britain's leading Conservative Party has won the early general election after securing more than 326 seats in the House of Commons, according to results declared in 626 of 650 constituencies.
According to the results, the Conservatives led by Boris Johnson now have a legislative majority in parliament.
The Tories have won 348 seats in the House of Commons, passing well over the 326 mark for an outright majority.
Johnson thanked all voters in his victory speech after securing his seat in Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency.
"This one nation Conservative government has been given a powerful new mandate to get Brexit done – and not just to get Brexit done but to unite this country and to take it forward," he said.
“This election means that getting Brexit done is now the irrefutable, irresistible, unarguable decision of the British people,” he added.
“And with this election, I think we put an end to all those miserable threats of a second referendum,” he said.
"We will get Brexit done on time by the 31st of January. No ifs, no buts, no maybes. Leaving the EU as one United Kingdom, taking back control of all those borders, money, our trade, immigration system, delivering on the democratic mandate of the people."
The Labour Party, in contrast, is projected to get its worst results in decades. The party has so far won 201 seats, losing dozens of seats it held since 2017.
Speaking at his victory speech after winning his traditional seat in Islington North constituency, Jeremy Corbyn said he would carry on leading the party during a “reflection process,” hinting at his resignation.
Jeremy Corbyn has said he will remain in place as Labour leader while his party undertakes a “period of reflection” after suffering catastrophic election losses in its traditional heartlands.
“I want to also make it clear that I will not lead the party in any future general election campaign,” he said.
“I will discuss with our party to ensure there is a process now of reflection on this result and on the policies that the party will take going forward.”
He said he would “lead the party during that period to ensure that discussion takes place and we move on into the future.”
Scottish National Party
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has secured 46 seats, gaining ground from other mainstream parties.
It would be considered a success, erasing the bad memories of 2017 snap election results.
The party has an agenda to hold a second independence referendum in 2020 if Scotland is dragged out of the European Union against its will.
The majority of voters in Scotland chose to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum.
Party leader Nicola Sturgeon said the result has given them a stronger mandate for the second independence referendum.
Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrat Party leader Jo Swinson has become the only leader so far to have lost a parliament seat. She narrowly lost to the SNP candidate in East Dunbartonshire constituency.
Swinson said fighting for the seat as a party leader was a "particular challenge," adding she has been MP for East Dunbartonshire for 12 and a half years.
Her party failed to reach intended success with their pledge to cancel Brexit if they came into power as it has won 9 seats.
Brexit Party
Nigel Farage's Brexit Party has failed to win a single seat so far, but it is because they did not fight in most of the Leave constituencies against the Tories.
22 seats have been won by independent candidates.
EU expects vote on withdrawal agreement
The EU expects a vote on the withdrawal agreement as soon as possible, said President of the European Council Charles Michel on Dec. 13.
Speaking to reporters on the second day of EU leaders' summit, Michel said on the U.K. elections that "EU is ready for the next phase". “We will negotiate a future trade deal which ensures a true level playing field,” he added.
Michel also congratulated U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on his victory.