MNI POLICY: Conservatives Win Majority, PM Promises Jan Brexit

--PM Johnson Looks Likely To Pick Up A 70+ Seat Majority

--Opposition Labour Party Fall To Electoral Outcome Since 1935

--SNP Make Strong Gains, Resurrect Claims For Early Independence Vote

     LONDON (MNI) - The Conservative Party won a clear victory in the UK's

General Election, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson being returned to Downing

Street with a clear mandate to 'get Brexit done'.

     By 0530GMT, the BBC were forecasting the Conservatives would hold a

majority of 74 seats, giving Johnson clear daylight in the House of Commons to

push his Brexit legislation through.

     Although Johnson's success will be a key takeaway from the evening, the

failure of opposition parties to make any headway with the electorate was

another. The main opposition Labour Party appear to have fallen to their worst

electoral result since 1935, seen picking up just over 200 seats, down sharply

from the 262 won in 2017.

     The Liberal Democrats, early in the campaign seen as the standard bearers

from pro-Remain voters, failed to deliver on the early promise and look like net

losing seats. To rub salt in the wound, their leader Jo Swinson lost her

Dunbartonshire East seat, just weeks after saying she could be the next Prime

Minister.

     The Scottish Nationalist Party were the exception of the opposition

parties, regaining seats lost in 2017 and heading for gains to take them back

towards 50 seats. That would give them a powerful mandate to claim another

referendum on Scottish independence, although Johnson has often said he will not

grant any request for one.

     Speaking shortly after the results in his own constituency -- won with an

increased majority -- Johnson said "It does look as though this One Nation

Conservative government has been given a powerful new mandate to get Brexit

done," adding he would take the UK out of the EU in January.

     Conservatives won seats across England and Wales, whilst holding onto more

seats in Scotland than initially thought.

     Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the defeated Labour Party, said he would not lead

them into the next General Election and he would start the process of reflection

needed before considering electing a new leadership team.

     Members of Parliament old and new will travel to Westminster on Monday to

start the swearing in process. According to Downing Street sources, the

government intends to reintroduce legislation enabling Brexit by Jan 31 for a

second reading on Dec 20.

     Other highlights of the legislative programme are expected to be delayed

until after Brexit, with suggestions both the next Queen's Speech and the Budget

will be held in March.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

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