UK election: Conservatives win after securing majority in parliament

Victory allows Boris Johnson to push through his own Brexit deal

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party has won a significant majority in the UK elections that will allow him to drive through his vision of Brexit.

The ruling Conservatives crossed the threshold at about 9.15am (5.15am GMT) as results trickled in through the night - matching the exit poll forecast.

Earlier the poll, released as voting stations closed at 10pm local time, showed Mr Johnson’s party winning 368 of the 650 seats for the lower house of Parliament. The BBC predicts a majority of 74.

Mr Johnson told party members in an email to "enjoy a celebration" after seeing the exit poll forecast.

"You powered this campaign. We couldn’t have done it without you."

The opposition Labour Party is predicted to win only 191 seats, a blow to its left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The pound surged by almost 2 per cent after the exit poll, with sterling jumping from $1.32 to $1.34.

More than 4,000 polling venues across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including a windmill, several pubs, a hair salon and a chip shop, opened their doors at 7am (11am UAE) for a day of voting until 10pm.

Voters turned out in large numbers in some locations, despite cold and wet weather, with social media users posting pictures of long queues at polling stations.