UK election: Conservatives win after securing majority in parliament

Victory allows Boris Johnson to push through his own Brexit deal

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  Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds leave the Conservative Party's headquarters with their dog following the general election in London, Britain. Reuters

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  Supporters are seen as Green Party candidate Caroline Lucas is announced as the winner for the constituency of Brighton Pavilion at a counting centre for Britain's general election in Brighton, Britain. Reuters

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  Conservative Party candidate Imran Ahmad-Khan speaks after he is announced as the winner for the constituency of Wakefield at a counting centre for Britain's general election in Wakefield, Britain. Reuters

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  Labour Party candidate Lloyd Russell-Moyle celebrates with supporters after he is announced as the winner for the constituency of Brighton Kemptown at a counting centre for Britain's general election in Brighton, Britain. Reuters

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  Carrie Symonds, partner of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, holds their dog at the counting centre in Britain's general election in Uxbridge, Britain, December 13, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville

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  Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn reacts after the General Election results of the Islington North constituency were announced at a counting centre in Islington during Britain's general election, London, Britain. Reuters

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  First Minister and SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon is mobbed by supporters as she arrives at the counting hall during the UK Parliamentary Elections at the SECC in Glasgow, Scotland. Getty Images

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  Ballots in a tray labelled Jo Swinson, Liberal Democrats candidate for East Dunbartonshire, are seen at a counting centre for Britain's general election in Bishopbriggs, Britain. Reuters

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  Official Monster Raving Loony Party candidate Baron Badger reacts next to Conservative Party candidate Dominic Raab, Liberal Democrats candidate Monica Harding and independent candidate Kylie Keens during the announcement of voting results for the constituency of Esher and Walton, at a counting centre for Britain's general election in Esher, Britain. Reuters

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  Brexit Party candidate Richard Tice is interviewed after Labour Party candidate Mike Hill is announced as the winner for the constituency of Hartlepool at a counting centre for Britain's general election in Hartlepool, Britain. Reuters

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  Supporters cheer after Labour Party candidate Mike Hill is announced as the winner for the constituency of Hartlepool at a counting centre for Britain's general election in Hartlepool, Britain. Reuters

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  Brexit Party members watch as ballots are tallied at a counting centre for Britain's general election in Hartlepool, Britain. Reuters

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  Ballots are tallied at a counting centre for Britain's general election at Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Britain. Reuters

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  Official Monster Raving Loony Party candidate Lady Lily the Pink is seen as ballots are tallied at a counting centre for Britain's general election at Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Britain. Reuters

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  Bill Blockhead, an independent candidate in the running for Bath's MP, and his wife Becky are seen outside a counting centre during Britain's general election, Bath, Britain. Reuters

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  Staff members count votes at a counting centre during Britain's general election, Bath, Britain. Reuters

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party has won a significant majority in the UK elections that will allow him to drive through his vision of Brexit.

The ruling Conservatives crossed the threshold at about 9.15am (5.15am GMT) as results trickled in through the night - matching the exit poll forecast.

Earlier the poll, released as voting stations closed at 10pm local time, showed Mr Johnson’s party winning 368 of the 650 seats for the lower house of Parliament. The BBC predicts a majority of 74.

Mr Johnson told party members in an email to "enjoy a celebration" after seeing the exit poll forecast.

"You powered this campaign. We couldn’t have done it without you."

The opposition Labour Party is predicted to win only 191 seats, a blow to its left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The pound surged by almost 2 per cent after the exit poll, with sterling jumping from $1.32 to $1.34.

More than 4,000 polling venues across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including a windmill, several pubs, a hair salon and a chip shop, opened their doors at 7am (11am UAE) for a day of voting until 10pm.

Voters turned out in large numbers in some locations, despite cold and wet weather, with social media users posting pictures of long queues at polling stations.