Theresa May's emotional speech after shock exit poll results
THERESA MAY cried on her way to the count in her Maidenhead constituency as Conservative Party headquarters imploded after Thursday night’s shock exit poll.
Theresa May at the count in her Maidenhead constituency
One Tory staffer was apparently so shocked by the prediction of a hung parliament that they vomited, while others sat on the floor, crestfallen, with their heads in their hands.
Those present spoke of the room falling into “stunned silence” with no one speaking or moving for several minutes.
An insider described the atmosphere as “the worst party ever” as the reality slowly dawned on crestfallen campaigners that the Prime Minister’s predicted majority had evaporated into a fight for her political career.
At 5.15am an exhausted Mrs May entered the campaign war room to comfort supporters who only hours earlier had been reassured that the exit poll was wrong, and the Conservatives were on course for a majority of 58.
With rumours that 76 seats were on a knife-edge, party workers tried to convince themselves that they would see a repeat of 1987 when the ITV exit poll predicted a hung parliament but Margaret Thatcher went on to win 376 seats.
Those present spoke of the room falling into 'stunned silence' with no one speaking or moving
Theresa May's chief advisors resign following election results
It was only when the Tories lost the crucial bellwether seat of Darlington to Labour at about 1.30am that the realisation dawned that they would fail to win a majority.
We live to fight another day
Amid discarded food wrappers, inflated blue balloons and empty bottles of beer and wine, Mrs May reportedly told staff: “It has been a difficult night but through no fault of anyone here. Everyone here has worked incredibly long hours and I’m thankful for all the work people have put in.
Mrs May had arrived for the result in her constituency looking dejected said an insider
“The Conservative Party is the best political party in the world. We continue to be the best political party in the world and we live to fight another day.”
Just after 3am, Mrs May had arrived for the result in her constituency looking dejected after what insiders said was a “tearful” car journey with husband Philip.