LONDON (AP)—British media are reporting that Conservatives can no longer win an outright majority in Parliament.
Sky News reported early Friday that Labour held the seat of Southampton Test, guaranteeing that no party will reach the 326 seats necessary for an overall majority in the 650-seat Parliament.
The result will heap pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May to resign, after she called a snap election in the hope of increasing the Conservative majority in Parliament to strengthen her position in Brexit negotiations.
British Prime Minister Theresa May says her Conservative Party will work to provide stability whatever the result of the election.
An exit poll and early results suggest the party will be the biggest in Parliament but may fall short of a majority. If that happens May — who called the election in a bid to increase her majority — will come under intense pressure to resign.
May looked tense as she was resoundingly re-elected to her Maidenhead seat in southern England.
She didn’t say explicitly what she planned to do if the projection was borne out. May said “the country needs a period of stability and whatever the result the Conservative Party will ensure that we fulfill our duty in ensuring that stability.”
Corbyn calls on May to resign
British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn says Prime Minister Theresa May should resign and make way for a new government.
With results still coming in Corbyn says May’s Conservatives have lost seats, votes and support.
An exit poll projects the Conservatives will be the largest party in Parliament but may fall short of a majority.
Corbyn says the result means “politics has changed” and people have rejected Conservative austerity.
Speaking after being re-elected to his London seat, Corbyn said May should “go and make way for a government that is truly representative of this country.”
Amber Rudd holds on as Home Secretary
Britain’s home secretary has narrowly avoided defeat in the general election, holding on to her seat in Parliament by 346 votes after a recount.
In the 2015 election, Amber Rudd won the Hastings and Rye seat in southern England by almost 5,000 votes. But the governing Conservative Party has suffered big losses in the election and is on the verge of losing its parliamentary majority.
Several government ministers have lost their seats.
The result will heap pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May to resign, and many consider Rudd a potential Conservative leader.
She is regarded as having performed well during the campaign, which was marred by deadly attacks in Manchester and London. As home secretary, Rudd is in charge of the police and security services and helped lead the response to the attacks.
