I can't help myself on election night. This is quite an interesting result unravelling. Really not sure quite how it will end up.
The high turnout has been a genuine surprise. A by-product of the high Brexit turnout perhaps, plus a re-energised labour support and some of the younger voters bothering themselves.
My feeling with the exit poll was that it was far beyond my wildest dreams and probably far too good to be true. I remember the referendum night and even the US elections night looking quite good early on only to fall away from what I was hoping. I was expecting reality to reveal that the Tories would still get a decent majority. It's still very very early, but the Tories have now failed to take two of their top targets in Darlington and Wrexham, so maybe it will be a good night and the Tories won't get the big majority they were expecting.
In other words you were going to spoil your ballot paper to show you weren't lazy but then couldn't be bothered doing it.
The UKIP voters in 2015 have held up the Conservative vote this time round where UKIP had a larger share of the vote in 2015 such as in some of the seats in the north east. Further south where UKIP had a smaller share of the vote Labour will do better. I think Labour will do pretty well tonight. UKIP look like a busted flush now though.
A football fan spoiled his general election ballot paper by scrawling 'Wenger Out' on it in reference to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. (Daily Mirror)
This is turning into a crazy night. I've never known an election night with so many different trends going on across geographical areas and demographic groups.
It's complete role reversal. When I grew up in Scotland there wasn't a single Tory MP and only about 6 SNP and LIb Dem MP's. Scotland was virtually solid red and that is what caused the massive rise in nationalism - they kept getting leaders they hadn't voted for. Now they could be the ones with the casting votes.
I've got mixed feelings on that. He ran a brilliant campaign in 2010 but betrayed the left of centre of his party by going into coalition. A story of 'what if'.
He convinced his party to sell out to the Tories and (in hindsight) he shouldn't have. I think he's a good man with good intentions, in politics for the right reasons, and is a good debater but he has left himself open to this from his past decisions. Strictly Come Dancing awaits!
...and within minutes Vince Cable is back in and replaces him. If Tim Farron loses his seat I think he'll be the next Lib Dem leader.
