Tories storm to shock election triumph

DAVID Cameron will to remain as Prime Minister after his Conservative Party defied all the opinion polls and won a majority of seats in the House of Commons.

With all 650 seats declared, the Tories won 331 seats, 99 more than Labour with 232 and holding a majority of 12.

Speaking outside Number 10 Downing Street, a triumphant Cameron said: “We can make Britain a place where a good life is in reach for everyone who is willing to work and do the right thing. We will govern as a party of one nation, one United Kingdom.”

The shock result on Thursday night and Friday morning sparked the immediate resignation of Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage, the leaders of Labour, the Liberal Democrats and UKIP parties respectively.

On a day of high drama, which saw two former top Liberal Democrat Cabinet ministers, Business Secretary Vince Cable and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander lose their seats, and Labour all but wiped out in Scotland, it was clear voters heeded Conservative warnings over the economic recovery and did not believe in the credibilty of Ed Miliband’s Labour leadership.

On a hugely disappointing night for Labour, Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls lost his seat to the Conservatives after a recount at Morley and Outwood near Leeds.

The Liberal Democrats meanwhile lost an astonishing 44 seats and were left with just eight MPs.

Chancellor George Osborne, who retained his seat in Tatton, Cheshire, hailed a “great result” for the Conservatives, but acknowldged to the BBC there is a “huge challenge” to unite the nation, with the SNP winning 56 out of 59 seats in Scotland.

It was not all good news for the Tories though, as employment minister Esther McVey lost her seat at Wirral West to Labour.

Also in the North West, the Conservatives took Hazel Grove and Cheadle from the Liberal Democrats and Bolton West from Labour.

Chris Fletcher, director of policy at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce said: “With a Conservative-led government there will be a focus on the whole question around the UK’s role in Europe which we will be consulting with our members on in due course and we will also be interested in ensuring that the work started under the previous government as regards devolution is swiftly delivered.”

North West entrepreneur Peter Done said: “I am happy with David Cameron returning, he’s done a great job in turning around the economy, he can do the job and we need him to finish off what he has been tasked with. whilst giving small business the tools and opportunities to grow and succeed.

“I believe it needed tough decisions to turn around the economy and I have to applaud both David Cameron and George Osborne for making them. Hopefully no radical changes will reflect in a more stable economy for the UK and sterling will perform in foreign markets and ideally continue to grow in strength against other currencies.”