Well! I wasn't expecting that result.

It really does seem that enough young people voted this time to shift the balance and invalidate May's lazy assumption that all she had to do was turn up.

I'm hoping this is another sign that the aberrations of 2016 were not the end of the post-1989 liberal consensus. Trump is in trouble and will eventually do something he can't wriggle out of. France, Austria, Hungary and the Netherlands have all looked at simplistic populism and decided to reject it, and I'm confident Germany will do the same. We here have had a look at the consequences and decided to step back from requesting more of the same.

A messy day, but a hopeful one.

I think the Tories will be able to get what they need from the 11 fellow headbangers of the DUP, rather than rely on the Lib Dems.

Corbyn has a major decision to make. It looks as if Labour did as well as it did by finally mobilizing the youth vote. He may claim some credit for that, but I suspect it was going to happen anyway, on the 'fool me twice, shame on me' principle. Corbyn's achievement (backhanded compliment alert) was to look weak enough to inadvertently sucker May into calling the election in the first place.

I'd advise him now to take what credit comes his way for the party's increased support, and step aside. "Look," he can say, "I've exceeded expectations as caretaker by bringing in all these new voters from the left. Now we can use that as a base from which to regain the centre, but for that you'll need someone younger and more telegenic." Starmer would be my choice, but Corbyn has the opportunity to leave looking both successful and statesmanlike - even though he's just led his party to a third successive defeat.

Alan - that exactly was the problem in my area.  A large Jewish population (not a majority by any means but certainly enough to swing things) and a good local boy MP who is Jewish and proud of it.  Corbyn clearly hates the Jews and even more so the Israelis, so we all feel very vulnerable about him. A few people decided to vote Labour against their better judgement to keep the local boy hoping it would have no effect, but as I said above; every vote counts.  So local boy was re-elected (in since 1997) and various people now have egg on their face.

Genuinely, if Labour had won, within two years I would have sorted out my affairs and would have been off to where the Jews are welcome; Israel, USA, Canada or Australia.  Most likely Israel as I can walk right in, but it doesn't matter. I would go, take my money with me and leave about 25 staff without jobs. Callous I know, but Corbyn would sell me down the river for a handshake with a terrorist.

My knowledge of Northern Ireland politics and history is not great (why were we not taught this in school?).  But frankly similar to most people around the world about the Middle East - a plague on both houses.  It seems to me that having achieved so much for the Catholic community, Sinn Fein are about to mess it up by stupid posturing about Arlene Foster, whereas a little humility from the DUP side would be sensible.  I don't see the issue over the border.  No one wants a hard border; Eire is outside Schengen so agreeing an Island of Ireland entry policy should be easy.

Do I support PR.  To an extent.  There are good and bad systems.  The worst is Israel which has 120 seats, no geographical representation only party lists and corruption. I think the Mayoral elections in May here seemed to do a good job.  The problem is that if you are a Tory voter, there is only one party to select.  If you are more centrist or left wing you have Labour, Liberal and the Greens to choose from as an alternative (if that is the system selected).  

Another election in six months?  Who remembers 1974?

One wonders how a supposed Christian such as herself can propose and implement such distinctly ungenerous, uncaring and unchristian policies. But then one often wonders that about the supposedly religious. Don't do as I do............

Why does Northern Ireland have separate parties? Sinn Fein I understand, but why no Labour, Liberal or Conservatives?

That's right, take the joy out of my win.

I hope your Merc gets wonkier.