Britons elect hung parliament in general election

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May waits for the result of the vote in her constituency at the count centre for the general election in Maidenhead, June 9, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

With more than 631 of the 650 results declared, the Conservatives got 306 seats against 258 seats for main rival Labour. No party has won 326 seats required for becoming a majority party.

Early morning editions of the London daily newspapers headlined Friday that prime minister Theresa May's gamble in calling a snap general election had backfired.

Former government minister Anna Soubry in an interview around 5 am local time said May must consider her position following the results in the election.

May appeared defiant, insisting that the country needs stability and the Conservatives will deliver that stability.

But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, commenting after being re-elected in the London Islington North constituency, said it was time for May to go and make way for a government that would be "truly representative of the people of this country".

Corbyn said: "The prime minister called the election because she wanted a mandate, but she has lost seats, lost votes and lost confidence and that is enough for her to go."

The London Times headline read "May's election nightmare", while the Daily Mail's headline was "Gamble That Backfired" with a sub-heading stating "Corbyn surge puts Britain on a knife edge" and another saying "Fears of Brexit chaos".

Just 24 hours earlier most of the London newspapers had urged readers to back Theresa May and her government.

The Conservative Party is predicted by BBC and Sky News to finish the election with between 315 and 321 seats, and with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) making gains in Northern Ireland, May could, with their support, form a government.

The DUP made two gains, taking their total to ten, with counting continuing in other constituencies. Their support will be seen as crucial to keep the Conservatives in power.

Labour were predicted to suffer a landslide of losses, but with almost 100 results still awaited, Labour had made so far 28 gains and the Conservatives had lost 11 seats.

Under election convention the party with the highest number of members of parliament would have the first opportunity of forming a government.

Despite that Emily Thornberry, Labour's shadow foreign secretary said Corbyn could end up as prime minister under a Labour-led progressive alliance.

Political commentators are already posing the question of whether the expected result will make it impossible for Theresa May to continue as prime minister.

May started the campaign with a majority of 17, with expectations of seeing it rise in the election.