Critics blame Theresa May for Tories’ poor show, SNP loses ground, LibDems fail to revitalise party, while Corbyn is credited with Labour’s stronger than expected performance

Theresa May will stay on as the Prime Minister with support from the Democratic Unionist Party in defiance of critics both within and outside her own party, but it remains to be seen as she could continue to lead the party and the government in the long term.

The Conservatives’ campaign was focussed closely on Ms. May’s track record, but during whose course her personal ratings fell sharply. Critics blame her leadership for Conservatives’ loss of majority in Thursday’s election.

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The close result is a sharp reversal of the comfortable lead in the polls that the Conservatives had in April, when Ms. May called the general election. Commentators had suggested that turnout, particularly among young people, would be key to the result, with the Labour benefiting from a high turnout, particularly among young people who had been inspired by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign.

Conservatives’ failure to get majority was the result of a combination of policy blunders, including on social care for the elderly, and the perception that Ms. May was failing to engage with the electorate directly. “When we didn’t know her she appeared a rather magnificent and dignified figure… the more they have seen of her, the less they seem to trust her,” Matthew Paris, a political commentator and former Conservative MP, told ITV News on Thursday night.

The result lends support to the approach of Mr. Corbyn, under whose leadership there has been a groundswell of support for Labour, against the belief of many in his party.

Mr. Corbyn has increased the Labour’s share of the vote more than any other leader in any other election in post-war Britain. The Labour’s vote share rose 9.5%, which is just shy of Clement Attlee’s 10.4% swing in 1945.

Beyond the Conservatives setback, the polls delivered a number of upsets, with two senior SNP figures Angus Robertson and Alex Salmond losing their seats.

The Liberal Democrats also appeared to be having muted success at efforts to revitalise the party’s support base. Nick Clegg, the party’s former leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, lost his seat, while the party’s leader Tim Farron held on with a narrow majority.