Election 2015: The results in pictures
- Published
David Cameron, seen here at his constituency declaration in Witney, said his aim in his second term as prime minister is to govern "for everyone in the United Kingdom".
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, being greeted by supporters and the press in Glasgow, is celebrating the news that her party has won 56 out of 59 seats in Scotland
In Paisley and Renfrewshire South a 20-year-old student, Mhairi Black, became Britain's youngest member of Parliament since 1667 having defeated Labour's Douglas Alexander with a 26.9% swing.
Labour Party leader Ed Miliband arrives with wife Justine Thornton at his constituency declaration at Doncaster Racecourse knowing his party has not fared as well as they had hoped. He called it a difficult and deeply disappointing night.
The Liberal Democrats have had a disastrous night, seemingly set to get around 10 seats, though party leader Nick Clegg (centre) held on to his seat.
One senior Lib Dem who lost his seat was former Business Secretary Vince Cable who was defeated by Conservative Tania Mathias, who seemed shocked to have won. Lib Dems Ed Davey, Charles Kennedy and Simon Hughes also lost their seats.
Earlier, as the polling stations closed an exit poll suggested that the Conservative Party would get 316 MPs to Labour's 239 when all the results have been counted.
Across the country ballot boxes begin to arrive at the counting centres.
Counting begins at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
In Northern Ireland a volunteer makes a tally as counting gets under way in King's Hall in Belfast.
An SNP election canvasser tries to sneak a peek at ballot papers being counted at the Banff and Buchan, Gordon, and West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine constituency counts at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Pegs hold tallied ballots together at a count in Sheffield.
As usual the first result was in the safe Labour seat of Houghton and Sunderland South. Labour's Bridget Phillipson takes 21,218 votes, beating UKIP into second place.
It's not all hard work. Counters share a moment at the count in Witney in Oxfordshire, where Prime Minister David Cameron is standing.
A photographer has added some drama to the count at the Kings Hall in Belfast.
Though in Sheffield things look a little more downbeat.
London Mayor and Conservative Party parliamentary candidate for Uxbridge and Ruislip South, Boris Johnson, receives a hug from a supporter.
Self proclaimed Superhero Captain Beany is standing to be an MP in the Aberavon constituency against Stephen Kinnock, the son of former Labour leader Neil.
Al Murray (centre), British comedian and candidate for the Free United Kingdom Party arrives at the counting centre in Margate.
Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson (left) and Jen Wilson arrive at the Glasgow count.
During the campaign, candidates often made time for a selfie, and election night is no exception as Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams poses with Mary Lou McDonald and the party's Belfast candidates at the King's Hall in Belfast.
For some it is a long night as the count continues.
Monster Raving Loony Party candidate for Uxbridge and Ruislip South, Howling Laud Hope (centre), watches election results on live television.
In East Renfrewshire counting agents supervise the count where Scottish Labour Party leader Jim Murphy lost his seat.
Gavin Robinson of the DUP kisses his wife Lindsay after winning the Belfast East seat.
Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt celebrates with her husband Stephen Kinnock as he is elected the Member of Parliament for the Aberavon Constituency. Mr Kinnock is son of the former Labour Party leader Neil.
Conservative Party candidate for Bristol North West, Charlotte Leslie, is photographed having won the seat for her party.
As with all elections a random encounter can make a good picture. Here Mr Cameron walks past a man dressed as Elmo at the Windrush Leisure Centre in Witney.
The passion of SNP supporters can be seen in this picture taken as more results are announced.
After his hug earlier Mr Johnson went on to win his seat in Uxbridge and Ruislip South.
UUP candidate for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Tom Elliott celebrates having won his seat.
One high-profile Labour casualty was former shadow chancellor Ed Balls who lost his seat to Conservative candidate Andrea Jenkyns.
Despite significant losses, Labour did make some gains, including Cardiff Central which Jo Stevens (right) took from the Liberal Democrats.
Back home again. After all the ups and downs of the polls, David Cameron is back in 10 Downing Street.