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Summary

  • Conservatives have Commons majority of 12

  • David Cameron promises his party will 'govern as a party of one nation'

  • Ed Miliband quits as Labour leader. Ed Balls loses seat

  • Labour crushed in Scotland, with SNP winning 56 of 59 seats

  • Lib Dems routed, big names ousted - Clegg holds seat but resigns as leader

  • UKIP gets 13% of vote but Nigel Farage quits as leader after missing out on seat

Live Reporting

Sam Francis, Angela Harrison and Georgina Pattinson

  1. 'Ruthless machine'

    Deputy Political Editor, The Telegraph tweets

  2. Messy times ahead?

    Daily Mirror political editor tweets

  3. Increased voter share

    Political Editor, New Statesman tweets

  4. Quite astonishing

    Westminster Newseditor, ITV Regions tweets

  5. 10 minutes until our Q&A

    Follow @´óÏó´«Ã½_HaveYourSay

  6. Gove's 'sympathy' for Ed Balls

    ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live

    Conservative Chief Whip Michael Gove says he feels "sympathy" for Ed Balls, who lost his seat in the West Yorkshire constituency of Morley and Outwood.

    The former shadow chancellor lost to Conservative Andrea Jenkyns by just 422 votes.

    that whilst he was "delighted" by the Conservatives' victory, he felt "sympathy for Ed."

    Michael Gove and Ed Balls on the Andrew Marr show

    When we crossed swords I always respected the fact that, although we came from different standpoints, he was someone who was in politics for the right reasons. He was driven by a sense of idealism."

    Michael Gove, Conservative Chief Whip

  7. No longer weak?

    Westminster reporter, for the Northern Echo, tweets

  8. Single party government returns

    SkyNews Political Editor

  9. On a high?

    Assistant political editor, The Huffington Post UK tweets

  10. Curtains are twitching

    Politics Reporter for @´óÏó´«Ã½Newsbeat tweets

  11. Readers' reaction

    Email: politics@bbc.co.uk

    A selection of your comments:

    Caroline Reed: Showing the world it's ok to quit if you lose is NOT ok. I respect a leader who will continue to work and try harder than someone who gives up. This is a poor example to the young people today let alone the rest of the world.

    Kevin: Political leaders are falling quicker than England wickets in an Ashes test match.

    Christina Holland: A decent man lost today. The Tories, helped by the Tory press, used scaremongering and character assassination to win, while Ed Miliband fought on the issues. Regardless of who you support, today is a bad day for democracy.

    Simon Butler: The three departed leaders have shown their true colours at a time when their parties require them more than ever. An indictment of their leadership qualities.

  12. Add to the debate

    Text: 61124

    Mark Bradford, St Albans:

    Former politicians are much more pleasant and engaging to listen to when they don't have to toe the party line or fear making a mistake!

  13. Get involved

    Text: 61124

    Daily Politics viewer:

    I am an out and out Conservative voter who was delighted at the result but have to pay my respect to Nick Clegg. Selfless, humble and put his nation above his personal interests. Not many politicians in any party will ever do that. I hope he stays in the public eye and if David Cameron wants to be truly inclusive he should involve him.

  14. Off to see the Queen

    Royal tweet:

  15. 'Sad day'

    Ex-Conservative chairwoman tweets

  16. Where's the cat?

    ´óÏó´«Ã½ News Assistant Political Editor tweets

  17. Harman warning

    @bbc5live tweet

    ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 5 Live

  18. More thanks

    Political correspondent at The Guardian tweets

  19. Respect

    Columnist and former MP tweets

  20. Back to Russell

    Political Editor, The Sunday Times tweets