While Labour figures largely kept cool heads over their predicted historic victory, many Conservatives were visibly devastated
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It was no less incredible for being heavily predicted. In a devastating rejection of the Conservative party, Sir Keir Starmer appeared to be on track for a majority of the scale that swept Tony Blair to power in 1997.
Labour looked set to achieve a larger landslide than both the 145-seat majority for Clement Atlee in 1945, and the 144 seats that secured a second term in office for Margaret Thatcher’s Conservatives in 1983.