UK election: Labour leader Miliband admits 'disappointing' night, Liberal Dems eviscerated
What was expected to be a very tight election is shaping up to be a pretty clear victory for the ruling Conservative Party and its leader, Prime Minister David Cameron. The Tories will have the largest bloc in the 650-seat Parliament, and may even get a 326-seat majority, according to BBC News projections. The Labour Party will lose seats, mostly because of heavy losses to the Scottish National Party in Scotland. Labour leader Ed Miliband acknowledged the poor showing early Friday:
If it was a bad night for Labour, it was terrible for Liberal Democrats, part of Cameron's governing coalition. Party leader Nick Clegg held on to his seat, but many of his fellow Liberal Democrats did not, including some cabinet ministers. Clegg acknowledged the "cruel and punishing night for the Liberal Democrats," and suggested he might step down as party leader.
Making sense of the week's political news, delivered every Wednesday
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.