Gabriel Smy

All this to say, the Tory/Lib Dem duopoly is over in the west country. Labour can win here. It’s on.

And although they didn’t win any rural seats, some were close: Labour lost Cambourne & Redruth in Cornwall by only 1,577 votes.

In the cities, Labour gained Plymouth Sutton from the Tories and held Exeter as well as dominating Bristol.

Labour’s vote share increased 14%+ in Weston, Devon Central and Tiverton, 16%+ in Poole, 18%+ in Bournemouth, and a whopping 22.5% in Truro.

…but this time, Labour beat the Lib Dems to second in 26 of those 39 rural seats.

Not counting cities (Exeter, Plymouth, Bath) it’s true that every constituency in Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Wiltshire is Tory…

After this election it’s time to challenge the myth that only Tories or Lib Dems can win in the rural west country.

I have won The votes That were in your Election And which You wanted To use As your mandate Forgive me They were So strong And so stable

I don't think the pollsters got it wrong. They just got their 2015 and 2017 predictions the wrong way around.

Disappointing to see the west country still blue below Bristol.

Pleased to see @gavinshuker increase his majority. Well done, feller.

Imagine what Corbyn could have done if his party had been behind him.

Still scared we'll wake up tomorrow and somehow Trump will be Prime Minister

Taunton Deane not declared yet, but 74% turnout.

Newcastle has just beaten Sunderland to declare first. This night just gets better and better.

If Sunderland ran like they do when they're counting the vote all of the time they'd still be in the premiership.

Time to lower the voting age to 9, clearly.https://twitter.com/wiveliscombep/status/872813643557109761 …

Mary and I are dieting. For her, that means wholewheat pasta at home. For me, it means pigeon, honeyed pecans and venison in Ludlow.