Cameron on cusp of second term as PM

David Cameron and the Tories are heading for an overall but slim majority, in a shock election result expected shortly that will secure him a second term as prime minister.

It means the Conservatives can govern on their own without having to form a coalition, which was expected, assuming they win the 334 seats predicted, versus just 229 for Labour.

It represents the first time for years that an incumbent party has added to its voting share, although the expected majority is so marginal that governing will be ‘a challenge.’  

Such is the alert from top Tories, who are glad that Labour and the Lib Dems suffered heavy losses last night, notably Danny Alexander, Vince Cable, Ed Balls and Douglas Alexander.

The leaders of the respective parties, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg, held their constituency seats, but their leadership is now in doubt. Either leader may resign today or tomorrow.

Speaking in this morning’s early hours, a sombre Mr Miliband admitted it had been a “difficult and disappointing” night for Labour, which was decimated in Scotland by the SNP.

Similarly, after securing his seat, Mr Clegg told supporters that it had been a “cruel and punishing” night for his party, which is projected to win just eight seats out of the UK’s 650.

That projection means that the Lib Dems will be ousted as the third biggest party in Westminster by the SNP, whose leader Nicola Sturgeon is credited with the party’s success.

The only other leader widely regarded to have had a good campaign, Mr Cameron, was quick to emphasise his electioneering success after winning his seat in Witney, Oxfordshire.

The Tory leader spoke of a “very strong night” for the Conservatives, which were receiving a “positive response to a positive campaign,” he said.

Sounding all but assured of the victory he’s now set for, the PM added: “I want my party and a government I would like to lead to reclaim the mantle of one nation, one United Kingdom.”

It is an allusion by Mr Cameron to speeches by Mr Miliband, though initial reaction to the election from the contractor sector suggests the PM should leave Labour’s language alone.

“Labour’s negative rhetoric regarding the recruitment industry and umbrella companies demonstrated an alarming misunderstanding of our sector,” Rob Crossland of umbrella company Parasol said this morning.

“[So] this result boosts the prospects for the stability, continuity and certainty craved by professional contractors and recruiters…from tax to regulation and employment legislation”.

He also said the Tories had now won a mandate to implement pledges made in their manifesto, which is more “pro-business and pro-job creation” than the other party manifestos.

“The arrival of Ed Miliband at 10 Downing St would have worried many contractors,” Crossland said. “The one cloud on the horizon is the prospect of an EU referendum, which threatens to cause uncertainty in the business community and negatively impact on investment and job creation. Mr Cameron must set out his agenda on Europe swiftly and ensure this does not happen.”