Shock as exit polls predict Conservatives remain largest party but could be short of majority
Polling stations across the UK have closed, and exit polls have suggested that the Conservative Party would remain the largest party but that it could be short of a majority.
Stations closed at 10pm after voting took place from 7am on Thursday.
An exit poll carried out for the BBC, ITV and Sky News predicted that there could be a hung parliament. The poll was carried out by Ipsos Mori.
The broadcasters put the Conservatives on 314 seats, Labour on 266 seats, the Scottish National Party remaining down from 56 to 34 seats, the Lib Dems up to 14 seats, the Greens retaining one seat and UKIP on 0.
Despite the exit poll predicting that the Conservatives would remain the largest party in the British Parliament, Prime Minister Theresa May’s gamble on a snap general election could have backfired as the poll predicts that her party would be 12 seats short of a majority.
It is believed that there was a high turnout in today’s vote.
Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire told Sky News it was “too early” to be making predictions.
Labour’s Emily Thornberry told Sky: “I think we are on the verge of a great result”.
The first results are expected at around 23:00.
Shortly after the exit poll, the British pound dropped by around 1.5 percent compared to the US dollar.
Related: This is what Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and Tim Farron are promising trans voters
The SNP manifesto also commits to reform of the Gender Recognition Act, though Nicola Sturgeon has not yet answered PinkNews readers’ questions.
Theresa May earlier this week revived her plans to repeal human rights laws.
PinkNews readers’ Q&As:
Conservative leader Theresa May
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood
Green co-leader Jonathan Bartlett
