The United Kingdom has a hung parliament after no party won a majority in yesterday’s general election.
The Conservative Party won 318 seats in the election and 43% of the vote share, winning more votes than Tony Blair got in his 1997 landslide, but falling short of the 326 seats needed to form a majority government.
Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party came second in the election, winning 261 seats and 40% of the vote share.
The Conservative Party looks poised to form a deal for a minority government with the backing of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), who won 10 seats.
Speaking outside Downing Street after visiting The Queen in Buckingham Palace, Prime Minister May promised to form a “government of certainty” with the DUP, to “provide certainty and lead Britain forward at this critical time for our country” and “get to work” on Brexit.
Prime Minister May said: “Our two parties have enjoyed a strong relationship over many years, and this gives me the confidence to believe that we will be able to work together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom”.
DUP leader Arlene Foster has said the party will enter discussions with the Conservatives to “explore how it may be possible to bring stability to this nation at this time of great challenge”.
In Scotland, under the leadership of Ruth Davidson, Conservative support surged to secure 13 seats – the party’s best performance in the country since 1983.
The Scottish Nationalist Party lost 21 seats, ending up with 35, and the Liberal Democrats finished with 12 seats. Sinn Fein won seven seats in northern Ireland, Plaid Cymru won four in Wales, and the Green Party held their sole seat.
In the north London constituencies of Hendon, Finchley and Golders Green, Harrow East, and Chipping Barnet, CFI Officers Dr Matthew Offord, Mike Freer, Bob Blackman, and Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers retained their seats.
CFI Officer David Burrowes sadly lost in Enfield Southgate. We thank David for all his support for Israel and dedicated work over the years; his voice will be missed in Parliament.
CFI congratulates all the candidates that won, and we look forward to working with them in the future.
