Jeremy Corbyn said he'd stay in his post while his party reflected on the outcome and debated its next steps. Credit:AP

Labour has been reduced to being party for the cities and has no clear way forward with its membership dominated by metropolitan elites and a leadership ruled by hard-left socialists sticking to an economic agenda that has been rejected twice under Jeremy Corbyn who will stand down as leader. Labour has been defeated now at four consecutive elections.

The outlook is also grim for the Liberal Democrats who lost their leader to the SNP and failed to gain seats for their star candidates who had defected from the major two parties.

Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson, second right, reacts as she loses her East Dumbartonshire constituency. Credit:PA

The SNP under the leadership of the formidable Nicola Sturgeon is triumphant again with nearly all of Scotland voting for the nationalists.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has renewed calls for independence after a dramatic increase in support for her party. Credit:Getty Images

The scene has also materially changed in Northern Ireland with the unionists losing their electoral dominance to the Nationalists for the first time in history.

All this means Brexit will happen by 31 January 2020 but that combined with tonight's results also sets in motion the possible collapse of the union.

And that's a wrap from me. I hope you've enjoyed our live coverage of this riveting result. Thank you for joining us.