2.55 am
More bad news … Lib Dems have failed to take Swansea West and Liverpool Wavertree and Totnes.
We have HELD Taunton. And there’s a recount in Ashfield.
2.50 am
Jo Swinson has held Dunbartonshire East.
Confirmation of the LIB DEM LOSS in Harrogate and Knaresborough, with a large 9.1% swing from Lib Dem to Tory:
Conservative 24,305 45.7% (+9.8)
Claire Kelley Liberal Democrat 23,266 43.8% (-8.4)
Labour 3,413 6.4% (-2.7)
2.47 am
The Tories’ Jeremy Hunt holds in Surrey South West, with an 8.6% swing from Lib Dem to Tory.
2.43 am
Chris Huhne HOLDS Eastleigh.
Confirmation of the Lib Dem GAIN in Eastbourne, with 4% swing from Tory to Lib Dem on 67% turnout:
Stephen Lloyd Liberal Democrat 24,658 47.3% (+5.6)
Conservative 21,223 40.7% (-2.3)
Labour 2,497 4.8% (-6.0)
2.40 am
Here’s David Heath’s victory in Somerton and Frome, and for once he has a majority in four figures (he’s held it with a 3-figure majority since 1997):
David Heath Liberal Democrat 28,793 47.5% (+3.8)
Conservative 26,976 44.5% (+1.9)
Labour 2,675 4.4% (-6.4)
2.36 am
Labour hold in Glasgow North, another Lib Dem target, despite increasing our vote:
Labour 13,181 44.5% (+5.1)
Katy Gordon Liberal Democrat 9,283 31.3% (+3.9)
Scottish National Party 3,530 11.9% (-1.0)
We’ve also missed out on Swansea West, again despite a decent 5.7% swing from Labour to Lib Dem:
Labour 12,335 34.7% (-7.2)
Peter May Liberal Democrat 11,831 33.2% (+4.3)
Conservative 7,407 20.8% (+4.8)
2.29 am
Confirmed that Mark Williams has HELD Ceredigion, with a huge 10% swing. Also reported that David Heath has held on once again in Somerton and Frome.
However reported that Lib Dems have LOST Harrogate to the Tories – that’s Phil Willis’s old seat.
2.24 am
This is the big drama … the GOOD NEWS …
LIB DEM GAIN in Eastbourne: wonderful.
BUT THE BAD NEWS OF THE NIGHT … Lembit Opik loses Montgomeryshire: that’s devastating. Huge 13.2% swing from Lib Dem to Tory in Lloyd George’s old seat:
Conservative 13,976 41.3% (+13.8)
Lembit Opik Liberal Democrat 12,792 37.8% (-12.5)
Plaid Cymru 2,802 8.3% (+1.3)
2.20 am
Confirmation of Willie Rennie’s defeat in Dunfermline & West Fife – a big swing of 8% from Labout to Lib Dem, but it’s not enough to retain the seat:
Labour 22,639 46.3% (-1.2)
Willie Rennie Liberal Democrat 17,169 35.1% (+14.9)
Scottish National Party 5,201 10.6% (-8.3)
2.16 am
Unconfirmed reports that Lembit Opik may have lost Montgomeryshire.
2.14 am
I think it’s fair to say this is turning into a night of deep disappointment for the Lib Dems – all the more so for the high hopes we had.
2.08 am
LIB DEM NEAR-MISS in Newport East. A good swing of 8.3% from Labour to Lib Dem, but it’s not enough:
Labour 12,744 37.0% (-8.2)
Ed Townsend Liberal Democrat 11,094 32.2% (+8.5)
Conservative 7,918 23.0% (-0.5)
And there’s some quite grim news in Richmond, too, where it sounds like it’s going to the wire, with Tories looking optimistic.
2.05 am
LIB DEM HOLD North East Fife (Ming Campbell), but with 5% swing from Lib Dem to Tory:
Menzies Campbell Liberal Democrat 17,763 44.3% (-7.8)
Conservative 8,715 21.8% (+2.3)
Labour 6,869 17.1% (+4.4)
2.01 pm
LIB DEM LOSS in Dunfermline. Wllie Rennie has been defeated 🙁
Guardian reports:
Oliver Letwin is safe in West Dorset, I’m told. He had a notional majority of 2,461 over the Lib Dems and there was speculation that he was in trouble.
1.54 pm
The Lib Dems have missed out on Wrexham, another long-shot hope:
Labour 12,161 36.9% (-9.2)
Tom Rippeth Liberal Democrat 8,503 25.8% (+2.2)
Conservative 8,375 25.4% (+5.4)
A good swing of 5.7% from Labour to Lib Dem, but the rise in the Tory vote has kept Labour in.
As with Guildford, so with Newbury – a crushing defeat, sadly, for the wonderful David Rendel:
Conservative 33,057 56.4% (+7.4)
David Rendel Liberal Democrat 20,809 35.5% (-7.1)
Labour 2,505 4.3% (-1.7)
1.46 pm
Bad news for Lib Dems in Guildford – it’s a Tory hold, with a big 6.5% swing from Lib Dem to Tory. Bad luck Sue Doughty 🙁
Conservative 29,618 53.3% (+9.9)
Sue Doughty Liberal Democrat 21,836 39.3% (-4.0)
Labour 2,812 5.1% (-4.8)
And we’re hearing the news from Watford is not optimistic, either.
1.42 pm
LIB DEM HOLD in Yeovil – great result for David Laws:
David Laws Liberal Democrat 31,843 55.7% (+4.2)
Conservative 18,807 32.9% (-1.2)
Labour 2,991 5.2% (-5.3)
Another effective Labour squeeze. 69% turnout, with 3% swing from Tory to Lib Dem.
1.38 pm
Big victory for Gordon Brown in his constituency at least, with a 3.3% swing from SNP to Labour in Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath.
1.30 pm
City of Durham declaration, a top Lib Dem hope. And it’s a big disappointment, I’m afraid – Labour hold:
Roberta Blackman-Woods Labour 20,496 44.3 -2.9
Carol Woods Liberal Democrat 17,429 37.7 -2.1
Nick Varley Conservative 6,146 13.3 +3.9
You can contact us in the following ways:
- By email: [email protected]
- By direct message via Twitter: @libdemvoice
- By text/SMS: my number is 07976 629166. But please confirm your mobile number with me by email so I can be sure you are who you say you are!
Or of course you can leave a comment on the site at any time.
For those of you are at election night counts, or otherwise not able to access a computer, please remember you can access LDV’s mobile-friendly site at m.libdemvoice.org.
Follow @libdemvoice.org on Bluesky
Like us on Facebook
Subscribe to our feed
Sign-up for our daily email digest
"The old savage England": D.H. Lawrence visits the Stiperstones
Church Green video
Thinking of standing for election or re-election next year? Helpful questions to consider
Endometriosis and acetylation
Nonconformistradical
Henry
Daniel Walker
David Raw
105 Comments
Both Labour and Lib Dems losing votes to the Conservatives. Not Great.
This is not going desperately well. And now I can’t get into Twitter 🙁
Swing of 2.7% to the Lib Dems in Yeovil.
Swing to the Lib Dems in Rushcliffe.
Coalition, a bill to pass electoral reform (STV), and abolish the unelected Lords, followed by immediate dissolution? OTY, Labour?
But I fear we will not get the chance. The Tories look to have beaten Labour soundly enough to get an OMaj, or at least enough to deny a Lab/LibD OMaj. Even if they had not, I suspect some of our -ahem – more economic liberal MPs would claim it was somehow not ‘democratic’ to do so, because Labour have been rejected.
But we may get more Lib Dem MPs – so the long march continues for another generation? Maybe a Coalition with Labour will be more attainable next time the Tories lose. Let’s hope it is soon.
Microscopic swing to the Lib Dems in Christchurch.
But the Tories hold Guildford with a 7% swing.
Damn – Con hold Guildford.
Very tight in Chesterfield
Sky have withdrawn calling Edinburgh South for LDs – reports of recount there.
Damn – Con hold Newbury as well. Things aren’t going well.
http://www.takebackparliament.com/ – sign the electoral reform petition tonight. Every Lib Dem and Labour and Other supporter should sign.
Swing just over 3% from Lib Dems to Tories in Sevenoaks.
It’s not looking great is it.
Swing 7.3% from Lib Dems to Tories in Newbury. Incredibly variable.
Very sad for my friend Carol Woods. Would have loved to have seen her finish the job she started back in 2001. Also sorry to see Sue Doughty not get Guildford back. At least there are some crumbs of comfort around the place it seems.
Labour to Tory swing of only 2.9% in Gedling.
Massive swing to the Tories in Newbury, now crossing my fingers with Lewes,
In England, there seems to be a big swing to the Tories, even from a high starting point. Different story in other parts of the UK.
And yes, I think there has been some pro-Tory tactical voting in some constituencies (eg Putney, where I live) as well as pro-Labour tactical voting by left-leaning Lib Dems in other parts of the country.
Ouch – 7% swing LD to Con in Newbury.
Edin Sth recount poss tomorrow – ITV
There seems to be a trend that the Labour vote doesn’t automatically go Lib Dem, but is just as likely to go Torie.
Can’t help thinking that the Tory-press anti-Clegg alarmism eventually had an impact on undecided voters. Particularly in relation to the amnesty and the Euro. A great shame. Now finding myself cheering Labour holds from the Tories as it keeps open the possibility of a hung parliament.
Hey Toby, how are things going?
5.4% swing to Lib Dems in Canterbury.
That’s really bad news about Willie Rennie.
8.3% swing from Lab to Lib Dem in Durham NW. (Is that new or did I miss it before?)
Lost Dunfermaline and West Fife, very sad. Hoping for some good news soon.
Hi Bernard.
I’m the bemused bystander here as you may have heard from your brother. Have to say that I’m not enjoying this!! Never has an election promised so much and then delivered so little.
Tiny swing of 1.1% Lab to Tory in Staffs South, with Lib Dems adding 3.3%. Perhaps the Tories have lost personal vote for retiring Tory grandee Patrick Cormack.
6% swing Lab to Tory in Exeter.
Labour win back Glasgow East.
My gut feeling is that it seems that Lib Dems will suffer from polling day jitters.
Don’t think any of us are enjoying this much so far.
3.5% swing Lib Dem to Tory in Norfolk South.
Maybe we should call ourselves ‘Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrats’ on ballot papers – Labour are joking online that our new recruits from the surge forgot what party they should be voting for. Reasonable hypothesis among the less well informed, I’m afraid to say. Though most of it surely down to a last minute squeeze and Brown’s/Cameron’s better performance/more money in the last few days.
Large 9.4% Lab to Tory swing in Kettering.
But only 5.5% in Loughborough.
Anthony – 3.5% swing Lib Dem to Tory in Norfolk South.
Damn – I live there!
Conservatives have hold West Dorset
4.2% swing Labour to Lib Dem in Barnsley Central.
Looks like Tory advance may be hurting Lib Dems in southern seats after all, while Labour’s vote is proving surprisingly resilient. But it’s still hard to see a consistent picture.
7.2% swing Lab to Con in Bishop Auckland.
Conservatives hold Eastbourne this is really bad.
I think the saddest part about all this is the pattern that is emerging: mostly, everything is staying the same. All three major parties campaigned on themes of “change” and “fairness”, and so far this election is showing very little of either. If it keeps on this way, that’s not a mandate for reform, it’s a mandate for another parliament exactly like the last one.
Rumours that Ashfield could go Lib Dem….BUT Eastbourne is rumoured to have not fallen.
Conservatives also hold Worcester Mid
Swing of 0.05% from Lib Dems to Tories in Wocestershire Mid. (Is this a record?)
Montgomeryshire was historically one of our safest seats, i don’t want to place the blame – but that could be down to Lembits antics.
Lembit’s lost!
Conservatives have gained Montgomeryshire, now that is really bad.
Now Lembit is history! What an awful night!
1% swing from Con to Lib Dem in Devon East.
Lembit’s gone – nooooooooo!
Lembit Opik defeated.
On a 13.2% swing.
ITV say Eastbourne is a Lib Dem gain ???
1.9% swing Con to Lib Dem in Hertford and Stortford.
The BBC have confirmed we’ve held Ceredigion, still no comfort.
We’ve gained Eastbourne, but this is still an awful night.
This is a weird one. Lord Ashdown on Radio 4 stating that David Heath has held on in Somerton and Frome…
Eastbourne is not a rumour, and Lemsip has lost Montgomery.
Yet there is a swing of over 5 per cent from Tory to Lib Dem in Canterbury, where the Lib Dem has worked it hard.
Two neighbouring seats with Lib Dem to Con swings: Aylesbury: 2.1%; Chesham and Amersham: 2.3%.
Tories comfortably held Folkestone and Hythe Bernard. No surprise there. Tiny swing from Tories to Lib Dems which is dismal given that Howard stood down. Could I have done better? We’ll never know now.
0.1% swing to the Lib Dems from the Tories in Charnwood. (Stephen Dorrell’s seat – didn’t know he was still alive.)
I wonder how the Greens faired in Brighton, i wonder if they will suffer what happenened to us.
Labour hold Swansea West another target missed, we are being squeezed.
lib Dem blogger Tez Burke quoting a Tory councillor as predicting a Lib Dem win in Bradford East.
7.9% swing Lab to Lib Dem in Hull West (Alan Johnson).
The Swings have been very random depending on the constituency. Wainting for some more NE results in Newcastle Blaydon and Redcar.
Well, it’s great to see that Stephen Lloyd has taken Eastborne! Well done to him!
Sorry Lembit losing is not devastating – given the anti politics mood he has played the role of the arrogant buffoon abusing the voters trust – he should have been deselected and we would have held. I am however confident that a new sane candidate will win it back.
“lib Dem blogger Tez Burke quoting a Tory councillor as predicting a Lib Dem win in Bradford East.”
I’ll take anything at the moment even if it is rumours.
Can’t really keep up but but I don’t think we’ve had 2.9% swing from Con to Lib Dem in Bridgwater.
I would not get too excited about the North East to be honest with you all. Durham not going to Carol Woods sends me a signal of gloom. I would love to be wrong but……
Eh? Lloyd George’s old seat was Caernarfon, not Montgomery.
The Huhnee monster is back!
Eastleigh is coming up now, Lib Dem a smaller hold than i expected, but on tonight i will take it.
Eastleigh held…phew…
Eastleigh count on BBC now….
Huhne gets 24,000, Tory 21,000….it was a wafer- thin Lib Dem majority of 600 before!
A good gain In Eastbourne in the end. Yay.
Harrogate has gone so a negative position again. What a shame.
Confirmation of us losing Harrogate, very sad. The exit polls look correct now.
Harrogate gone – I’m not enjoying this.
Lembit it’s your fault, if we can hold onto Torbay than you can hold one of the few traditional Lib Dem seats.
Recount from Ashfield
Odd result in Birmingham Edgbaston where it is rumoured that Labour have held on….
I didn’t catch who was ahead in Ashfield…but somebody was by 190 votes…
Recount in Edgbaston, which would have required only a swing of 2% for the Tories to win.
Hold Taunton that’s good on a night like this as it was a real marginal.
Taunton Deane Held.
Jeremy is back as well! He’s the first Lib Dem to hold Taunton I believe!
There are some incredibly poor results for us tonight. Bad candidates. After all, as Abelard says up thread, if some LDs can hold out against a Tory rising tide…
Small swing of 2.6% from Lab to Tory in Broxtowe.
Tories hold Chelmsford – another LD target missed.
Is there any news on the London seats, struggling to find some good news.
I’m not surprised about Liverpool Wavetree as the Michael Shields family came out in favour of Labour, Labour our dug in there.
Chelmsford held by the Tories on a swing of 0.05%.
New live-blog thread here:
https://www.libdemvoice.org/the-ldv-election-night-liveblog-300-430-pm-19360.html
Surely Cameron should have said more seats than they had won for _18_, not _80_, years?
Cameron’s misleading soundbite ‘ we have won more seats than at any time since 1920s’ – he means ‘gained’, but he’s spinning it to the ignorant. WE MUST CHALLENGE IT WHEREVER WE SEE HIM QUOTED.
Cue a FB group? If the Tories are a minority, they must not claim to have won.
That’s a massive Lab to Con swing in Dover.
Total failure in Oxford East. What the hell is going on?
Anyone know which way around the Ashfield vote is at the moment? Was it Lib Dem over Labour by 190 or the other way round?
Norman Baker back in Lewes thankfully.
A lot of gloom here, but let’s remember some positives:
* 2 years ago, I thought we’d lose a slew of seats to a Cameron surge – instead we’re broadly holding our own.
* Clegg has proven a superb communicator on TV, which will be very useful in the future.
* Our economic and tax policies have been popular.
* Labour have shifted further to a policy position in favour of PR.
* If Cameron forms the government, it may be a pyrrhic victory.
* We might have the option of a LibLab coalition which delivers PR.
Redcar ~! wow. On a swing of 15 per cent. Eight weeks ago it was not on anyone’s target list, despite the success of winning seats in the local elections, and the Corus steel mill shutting….thats a nice snatch.