If the exit poll prediction of a hung parliament (with no one party having an overall majority by reaching the 326 Westminster seats required for a bare working majority) is correct will there be time for an organised coalition government to be composed in time for the anticipated beginning of Brexit negotiations on 19th or 20th June?
Forecasts projecting early regional declarations to a national picture do suggest a working majority may yet be possible for the Conservative party but there are so many variables (not least fuelled by a seemingly high turnout) that the governance of the UK may yet be hanging in the balance.
If the Conservative party majority is not strengthened as anticipated will that impact on the UK's negotiating position with the EU? Probably not vis-à-vis the EU though the internal party dynamic will likely be of real relevance.
The 'others' - Independents, Plaid Cymru, Social Democratic and Labour Party, Ulster Unionist party, Green party and UKIP - may be able to wield significant leverage depending on their own presence in Westminster when the dust settles.
Might there be scope for a 'progressive alliance'/'coalition of chaos' (the appropriate label depending on your perspective)?
Curiously, the Green party vote is not reflecting the recent picture in some local authority voting patterns in early declarations in NE England and Swindon North.
A very interesting picture is developing.
Comments
Remaining Swings
There appears to be a discernible relationship between those areas who voted to remain in the EU in the EU referendum and significant swings in voting today.
Scotland, London and Northern Ireland all seem to be demonstrating volatility in polling patterns.
Yeovil, long a Liberal Democrat heartland, appears to have been held by the Conservative party; very possibly a consequence of sentiment regarding EU membership.
There is a possibility that Scottish Conservative returns may afford the Conservative party a majority. The seasoned political commentator Jim Naughtie, co-hosting BBC Radio 4's election coverage, has, astutely, noted that this means that 'English votes for English laws' may echo as an unwelcome rhetorical legacy in a context where Scottish MPs' votes are helpful to Government policy.
Equally, distinctive Scottish Conservative perspective (e.g. favouring the Single Market), may mean scope for unexpected and contrary intra-party leverage from north of the border.
The developing picture just seems to be throwing up more and more dynamics as the night progresses.
Kipper Tie?
A seemingly dissolving UKIP vote appears to have crystallised not just in Conservative support - as was anticipated - but possibly in a tied distribution with UKIP votes appearing to gravitate (equally?) towards the Labour party.
A very real upset in Moray as one of the most effective performers in Westminster, Angus Robertson, has been unseated by the Conservative candidate.
Constitutional limbo?
Current revised forecast places the Conservative party just below an overall majority with 322 seats.
DUP support will be essential.
Mrs. May's position seems to be undermined.
Might Boris Johnson figure as a leadership contender?
Her Majesty the Queen may have to contemplate a position where no viable Government can be formed - creating constitutional limbo.
The SNP are continuing to suffer a fall from their 2015 Zenith.
New comment
So the "One General Election every five years and that's your lot" legislation didn't work very well then. I don't suppose a hung parliament will last five years either. And if Brexit went/goes ahead, there'd be a general election straight after it was implemented anyway to ensure the party that put it in didn't get the blame for it not being a good idea.
So the people who want to run the country don't know what to do, those of us doing the voting are undecided - the future's all a bit crap, really.
The university job service, Prospect, has sent out an email overnight saying there's work going in China, loads of jobs, no up-front fees to work there*, no Mandarin required, and some even pay a stipend. Woot, lucky us!
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