The UK Election 2024 Live Updates: Election night timeline is shaping up to be a nail-biter as the clock ticks towards the final results. Here’s a breakdown of the key moments to watch out for:
10 pm Thursday: Voting ends and the BBC, Sky, and ITV release the Ipsos exit poll, giving the first indication of how the night may unfold.
11 pm: The race to complete counts in North East England constituencies heats up, with results from Blyth and Ashington expected at 11:30 p.m. and Houghton and Sunderland South at 11:45 p.m.
Midnight: The potential for the first Tory loss in Basildon and Billericay looms, while Labour eyes its first gain from the Tories in Broxbourne. The red wall seats may start to shift back to Labour, beginning with Cramlington and Killingworth.
1 am Friday: Labour gains are possible from the SNP in redrawn Rutherglen, as well as from the Tories in Leigh, Atherton, and Swindon North. The Liberal Democrats could also make gains in Harrogate and Knaresborough.
2 am: The Tories defend key seats in North West Essex, Castle Point, and Havant, while Labour looks to gain ground in Middlesbrough South, East Cleveland, and other constituencies across the country.
3 am: Over 100 seats announce results, with Labour aiming to win back red wall seats and key figures like Jeremy Corbyn awaiting their fate. The Greens target Bristol Central, while the Liberal Democrats set their sights on several constituencies.
4 am: More than 120 constituencies declare, with potential Tory losses and Labour gains on the horizon. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK seeks victories in Clacton and Boston and Skegness.
5 am: Potential cabinet casualties are in the spotlight, as Labour and the Liberal Democrats continue to target key seats. The focus shifts to government transition if Labour emerges victorious, with Rishi Sunak expected to resign and Keir Starmer invited to form a new government.
6 am: The last results trickle in, with the Liberal Democrats holding ground and Labour making further gains. The final declarations, including Ilford North, will set the stage for the next chapter in UK politics.
Stay tuned for more updates as the night unfolds and the future of the UK government hangs in the balance.