".. all politics is local

So the results are mostly in and a night of records, some not so welcome. Labour won with a slightly reduced landslide, a majority of 167 predicted instead of the previous 177. Conservatives (Tories) gained 8 and lost 8, Liberal Democrats up about 7.
(Our anagram now reads "LAB DUMPS WETTER TORIES")
Lowest voter turn out at 58% since 1918. This means that Labour has a majority of 167 with only 24% of the electorate voting for them (42% of the voters). The highest turnout was where an Independent was elected with a 17500 majority, based on the single issue of saving a local hospital.
Hague has effectively resigned as leader of Tories, just as soon as they can find another leader, and they have some serious thinking to do.
Tactical voting seems to have played its part, Labour actually gained a seat from Conservative locally, turning a majorority of 67 into one of 153. This election started (I think) with a record number of marginals, but the Conservatives just haven't managed to prise them loose, which is worse for them as there is usually a reaction against a landslide in the following election.

This is your UK political correspondent signing off for another 4 years or so.

Rod