Boris Johnson has won a huge victory in the general election, tearing seats from Labour in its heartlands.
The Conservatives clinched their majority after winning 326 seats – their majority is on course to be between 78 and 82.
He told staffers at the Tory party’s HQ that “no one can now refute” his “stonking mandate” to deliver Brexit.
Speaking at the private gathering in the early hours, he said: “We must understand now what an earthquake we have created… the way in which we have changed the political map in this country.
“We have to grapple with the consequences of that. We have to change our own party. We have to rise to the level of events.”
In a recording obtained by Buzzfeed, he added: “We have to rise to the challenge that the British people have given us.”
After holding on to his own seat, he told party members in Uxbridge and South Ruislip: “Above all I want to thank the people of this country for turning out to vote in a December election that we didn’t want to call but which I think has turned out to be a historic election that gives us now, in this new government, the chance to respect the democratic will of the British people to change this country for the better and to unleash the potential of the entire people of this country.”
After a crushing night for Labour, Jeremy Corbyn announced he would not lead his party in any future general election campaign.
But he suggested he would not be departing as Labour leader immediately.
“I will discuss with our party to ensure there is a process now of reflection on this result and on the policies that the party will take going forward,” Mr Corbyn added.
“And I will lead the party during that period to ensure that discussion takes place and we move on into the future.”
Culled from sky.com
