Punishment seems to come from all sides, with a landslide for Keir Starmer and sizeable gains for the Lib Dems and Reform
Gradually, then suddenly. That is how Ernest Hemingway famously described a character’s bankruptcy. That was how the 14-year Tory hegemony of Britain came to a brutal end.
If the exit poll released on the stroke of 10pm is even half right, this is less a changing of the executive, more a punishment beating – and one that is well deserved. A 170-seat majority for Keir Starmer and his refashioned Labour party, which is projected to land 410 seats. A drubbing for the Tories, pegged back to 131.
Hugh Muir is the Guardian’s executive editor, Opinion
Guardian Newsroom: Election results special
On Friday 5 July, 7.30pm-9pm BST, join Gaby Hinsliff, Hugh Muir, John Crace, Jonathan Freedland and Zoe Williams for unrivalled analysis of the general election results. Book tickets here or at theguardian.live
