OUR experts have weighed in on a seismic night in politics in a live Never Mind the Ballots election special.
While analysing the night’s biggest stories, Political Editor Harry Cole discussed how Reform had taken just four seats on 14.3 per cent of the vote.
Ian WhittakerThe Sun’s election results special with Harry Cole[/caption]
Ian WhittakerThe political editor was joined by Noa Hoffman and Scarlett Maguire[/caption]
GettyReform UK leader Nigel Farage reacts after winning his first seat[/caption]
And Scarlett Maguire was asked if the Conservative Party would be able to compete with Reform.
The director of polling firm JL Partners replied: “There will be growing pressures to merge.
“I think that’s one of the things we started to hear over night.
“There’s going to be four of them and they are quite big personalities in Parliament.
“The Tory leadership contest might well be very drawn out. You might even see some people go over sooner.”
Reform won four seats, with Farage joined by former Tory Lee Anderson, party chairman Richard Tice and former Southampton FC chairman Rupert Lowe in being elected to Parliament.
After winning in Clacton, Farage said “we’re coming for Labour, be in no doubt about that”.
Political Correspondent Noa Hofman said: “Nigel Farage will shake up the Commons. He’ll be a thorn in the side of every party.
“I think there are elements of Reform’s policies that appeal to voters across the board.”
On a historic night:
Labour has reached the required 326 seats in a Tory wipeout
Piers Morgan told our Never Mind The Ballots election show that Sir Keir MUST deliver after the Tory disaster
A battle for the soul of the Conservative party is already underway
Rishi Sunak has admitted defeat and said he has called Sir Keir
He is expected to meet with King Charles later today
Sir Keir told supporters “we did it!”
But ex-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps became the first Tory big beast to lose out
He was followed by Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt, one of eight Cabinet ministers have lost their seats
Former PM Liz Truss also loses her seat
Tory defector Lee Anderson claimed the first Reform seat. He was followed by Nigel Farage, who has become an MP for the first time at the eighth attempt
Mr Farage warned Labour “will be in trouble very, very quickly”
Sir Keir Starmer declared “we did it” after a Labour landslide put him on course to be the next prime minister.
At a victory rally in central London, Sir Keir said the country could now “get its future back”.
But Scarlett argued: “About 80 per cent of Britain won’t have cast a vote for Labour.”
Tory leader Rishi Sunak conceded defeat after a “sobering” night for his party which saw predecessor Liz Truss and a record 11 Cabinet ministers lose their seats.
At his acceptance speech after being re-elected in Richmond and Northallerton, Mr Sunak said: “I take responsibility for the loss.”
The result is likely to trigger a fresh round of infighting within the Tory party as MPs scramble to replace Mr Sunak, who is expected to resign in the wake of the defeat.
In Wales, the Tories were wiped out, while in Scotland Labour were rampant.
PALabour leader Sir Keir Starmer speaks to supporters after a landslide win[/caption]
AFPRishi Sunak reacts as he waits for the declaration for Richmond and Northallerton[/caption]