Image source, Reuters

A momentous 24 hours in politics draws to a close. It's the first Christmas election in almost a century. And it's the dawn of a political world: gone are the days of hung parliaments, of knife-edge votes, and of unstable, wafer-thin majorities.

Whatever your political stripes, there's undeniably a more stable situation here in Westminster. But Parliament still faces huge challenges in the weeks and months to come.

So what happened?

The exit poll dropped. It predicted a Conservative majority (correct) and suggested the Tories would get 368 MPs (only three out).

As results poured in through the night, the electoral map began re-forming.

It took until just before 15:00 for all the votes to be counted. The result? An 80-seat Conservative majority - the party's largest since 1987.

Here's how things shaped up:

• Read our main story for the full details

If you're looking for a quick catch-up:

• A super speedy recap of the key points
• Video: The story of the night
• In pictures: The morning after the night before

Who said what today?

• Boris Johnson said the result will bring "closure" to the Brexit debate, telling the nation to "let the healing begin" in his first speech of this Parliament.
• Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would not lead the party into the next election, and said he did "everything he could" to get Labour into power.
• The Lib Dem's Jo Swinson said she was "devastated" by the result but insisted she was "proud" to have been the first woman to lead her party, adding: "One of the realities of smashing glass ceilings is that a lot of broken glass comes down on your head"
• SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said the "overwhelming" victory of her party in Scotland "renews, reinforces and strengthens" the mandate for a second Scottish independence referendum, saying Mr Johnson had "no right" to stand in the way of indyref2.

What's next for...

• Labour Mr Corbyn said he would stay on as leader during a "process of reflection". He said it was up to the National Executive, the ruling body of the party, to decide when he would go, adding it was likely a new leader would be selected in the early part of next year.
• The Lib Dems Sir Ed Davey and Baroness Sal Brinton will act as co-leaders of the party, after Jo Swinson resigned. The party will hold a new leadership contest in the new year.
• The Conservatives Boris Johnson will be meeting newly elected MPs tomorrow, before announcing a cabinet reshuffle early next week. He plans to bring his EU withdrawal agreement before Parliament within the next week or so.
• The SNP Our Scotland editor Sarah Smith says the SNP will insist its result is a thumping endorsement of a second referendum. It's a debate that can only escalate as we leave the EU, Sarah says. Read her full blog here.

The best of the day's analysis:

• Johnson's gamble pays off but challenges lie ahead - by our political editor Laura Kuenssberg
• EU prepares for Brexit hardball - by our Europe editor Katya Adler

• What's behind the Conservative victory? - by our polling expert Prof Sir John Curtice

And if you still can't get enough, don't worry, we'll be back tomorrow morning for more from the live page.

Thanks for joining us.

Image source, Reuters

Just over 24 hours ago, we had no idea what the political advent calendar would look like.

But now the election is finally over, Boris Johnson has a huge majority of more than 80 seats to work with. So what could be in store for the first few weeks of his new premiership?

Tomorrow The prime minister is expected to travel to meet his newly-elected Tory MPs.

Sunday Expect more drama, fall-out, and grilling during the first Sunday political shows since the election.

Monday 16 December Mr Johnson is expected to announce a new-look team next week and his re-shuffle could start as soon as Monday - though we've heard there won't be any seismic movements. But those who had an impressive election campaign could be in line for promotion and others who struggled may be demoted as a result.

Tuesday 17 December MPs return to Westminster and begin the process of swearing in, where they take an oath of allegiance. Usually, the process lasts a few days, but it'll be rushed through in two days to make time for a Queen's Speech before Christmas.

Thursday 19 December The Queen will formally open Parliament, but with "reduced ceremonial elements". The last State Opening was only a few weeks ago - on 14 October - just 10 days before Mr Johnson called the general election.

Friday 20 December The Conservatives have promised to re-introduce Mr Johnson's Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which would ratify the deal with Brussels, in December in what they describe as an "early Christmas present" for voters. This could mean MPs unusually sitting on a Friday in order for the bill to be introduced at first reading.

Then we're all going to have a couple of weeks off for Christmas (at least we hope we are).

January 2020 If Parliament rises for its usual Christmas recess, MPs would be back in Westminster in early January to pass the Brexit bill. They would only have a few weeks to get the legislation through both houses before the 31 January deadline.

And beyond that? We're not being fooled into speculating that far ahead - a month is a long time in politics. But, Mr Johnson has repeatedly said he wants to "get Brexit done" so he can focus his party's other manifesto pledges. And with an 80-seat majority, he shouldn't struggle to pass legislation.

BBC News Channel

Former Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik says the lack of leadership and policy flaws are to blame for the party's poor performance in the election.

He describes Jo Swinson - who lost her seat and then resigned as leader earlier today - as a "great MP" but not a great leader: "There's no substitute for experience. You've either got it, or you haven't - and she didn't."

Mr Opik, who lost his seat in 2010, says the Lib Dem's manifesto pledge of scrapping Brexit was "crazy" and "not even slightly democratic".

"That would be like me going back to Montgomeryshire, my old seat, and saying 'well actually I've changed my mind, I'm just going to carry on being the MP even though I marginally lost the seat'."

Lots of Remain supporters weren't happy with the policy, he says. "It just wasn't credible."

What will the party need in the next leader?

"A very clear Liberal Democrat narrative," he says. "I'm sad to say it, but it's been said privately anyway, number two: there has to be an ability to really reach out and communicate in a way that's got more gravitas than with Jo."

Mr Opik says he hopes the party will take a "cold, hard look at what the Liberal Democrat core vote actually is, and rebuild from that."

Asked who he hopes will take up the mantle, he names Layla Moran, saying she has the "charisma" and the "narrative".

BBC Radio 4

Image source, Getty Images

Labour MP Barry Gardiner is asked on BBC Radio 4's Any Questions what went wrong for the party and how does it recover from the outcome of the election.

"I think there were many factors in the result yesterday and we need the time to reflect what was wrong in the offer we put to the country and what it was people did not feel confident about in our manifesto," says Mr Gardiner.

"Was it that we offered too much? Certainly I believe it was offered in good faith.

"Yes, Brexit played a role in this and that is a difficult divide but I do think what we need to do is reflect on what we got wrong, move on fast and try and regain the trust of the people in this country and I think one of the ways we can do that is by holding this government to account, make sure there is proper scrutiny and make sure the government is transparent in all that it does."

Asked whether Jeremy Corbyn was to blame for the election outcome, Mr Gardiner adds: "I think Jeremy Corbyn has been a decent, honourable man.

"He is a kind man, he is a very sincere man and I think people will look back to this election and will see some of things said about him over the last two years and come to see he has been vilified as well."

Image source, Getty Images

It's been a day of full-on drama - and there's been some good photo opportunities along the way.

We've rounded up the day's best pictures here.

We're here with a Question Time election special in Wandsworth, south-west London. The first question is from Daniel, who asks: "Did Jeremy Corbyn lose the general election or did Boris Johnson win it?"

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says "the truth of the matter is people vote for a whole combination of reasons" but "people wanted to vote to unblock the country, to get things moving again. And I think that's the explanation for a surprisingly large majority in the end."

Asked about his surprise at the size of the Conservative majority, he says: "In fact the PM called me at 10 to 10 - I'm famous for my spreadsheets and trying to make a prediction on this - and I thought that he'd have a majority but I have to say it took me by surprise in terms of the size," adding he thought it'd be about half of the 80-seat majority he ended up with.

Over to Labour's Stephen Kinnock, who says: "It is absolutely clear this is not a Tory victory, this is a Labour failure. How could the Labour Party not defeat a government like this?

"After nine years of Tory failure, they've turned our country into an international laughing stock... they're tearing our communities apart and yet they could not beat them.

"And that is a damning indictment of Labour's failure, I'm afraid to say."

Mr Kinnock says he received the same three messages on the doorstep. The first, he says, was an aversion to Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. On Brexit, he says voters did not understand why Labour was not prepared to "respect the result of the referendum", and when it came to the economy he says there was a feeling there was a "scatter-gun approach" with "too many promises".

Our business correspondent Rob Young has been visiting businesses in Derbyshire to find out what they think the election result will mean.

Norton Motorcycles is near Donington Park - they export most of the bikes they design and manufacture on site.

Chief executive Stuart Garner says he's relieved about the election result.

"If we want to go to India, China or South America, huge motorbike markets, we face 60% tariffs. It makes us uneconomic in these territories. The tantalising prospect for us is that we manage to get some free trade agreements."

A few miles away in Derby are the offices of Work Wallet, a health and safety app for employers.

Boss Adam Civall would have preferred to remain in the European Union but says he is happy with the result.

"There will be some positives to pushing on with Brexit. As a business we have to adapt to change and keep ahead. But any path towards hard or no-deal Brexit is still the potential worst outcome."

Listen to Rob's full report on World Business Report on the BBC World Service.

Nicholas Watt
Political editor, BBC Newsnight

Image source, Getty Images

Loyalty and a ruthless ability to adapt were the twin weapons that once guaranteed the Tories a place as Britain's natural party of government.

In recent years, however, rebellion against successive leaders from both sides on the Europe divide has been the party's default position.

Internal squabbling came first, banishing memories of the collective Tory survival instinct that once served the party so well.

The emphatic nature of Boris Johnson's win in the country means he is the unequivocal victor in the Conservatives' 30-year civil war over Europe.

"In the end the Leavers will win because they care more," one cabinet minister once told me.

But how will loyalty and ruthless adaptation apply under Mr Johnson's premiership?

Read the analysis in full here.

BBC Radio 4

Plenty to talk about on Any Questions on BBC Radio 4 today with Conservative MP Therese Coffey, Labour MP Barry Gardiner and Liberal Democrats MP Layla Moran on the programme.

First question from the audience: "Do you think yesterday's result in the election has proved to be a good day for democracy."

Layla Moran starts by saying: "I think it would be odd for me to say I am pleased with the result but we have a precious democracy and I have lived in paces that don't do what we do and every general election makes me proud to be in this country.

"But I am deeply, deeply concerned for the future of our country. The Liberal Democrats did stand on that stop Brexit platform because we felt it was the best future for our country."

Barry Gardiner adds: "Every election is a good day for democracy because it forces politicians to remember that we are there to serve the public and not to dictate to them without their consent what we think ought to happen.

"Having said that, I also think yesterday has also brought dangers, dangers that the division in this country will not be healed and dangers that the poverty and inequality will increase."

Therese Coffey concludes: "It was a good day for democracy. There were a lot of people that voted Conservative for the first time yesterday in seats that had been Labour for decades. They were fed up that leading parties who had said they would respect the referendum turned their back on those voters.

"We are very conscious that in our broad manifesto there are a lot of things we can do and will do to unite the country in a way that perhaps is unprecedented."

Image source, Getty Images

The US government has congratulated Boris Johnson on winning the election.

In a statement, US official Morgan Ortagus said: "The United States and United Kingdom share a unique partnership and essential alliance, based on a strong foundation of shared values and democratic principles.

"We look forward to continuing our critical work together with prime minister Johnson and his government to further strengthen our enduring special relationship, address mutual challenges, and build on the progress and prosperity we have made on so many fronts.

"The United States is committed to the US-UK shared global agenda, including expanding our robust economic relationship by reaching a comprehensive free trade agreement with the UK once it formally withdraws from the European Union."

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

It was a result not many people predicted: the Conservatives won their largest majority since 1987, and Labour lost seats in its northern heartlands - despite social media suggesting there would be a so-called youthquake at the polls.

So, what exactly happened last night?

Listen to Matthew Price dissect it all on Beyond Today on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Reuters

The newly victorious prime minister, Boris Johnson, has spoken with Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and Irish Premier Leo Varadkar tonight.

Both leaders congratulated him on his election victory.

In a statement, the Irish government said: "The Taoiseach and the prime minister spoke by phone this evening.

"They agreed there is now a significant opportunity to restore the Good Friday Agreement institutions, and pledged to work with the Northern Ireland parties to achieve this.

"They also discussed how to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Ireland and the UK. Both looked forward to the smooth passage of the withdrawal agreement. They agreed to stay in close contact in the period ahead."

Meanwhile, Mrs Merkel "spoke about the importance of maintaining the strong relationship between Germany and the UK" during her phone call with Mr Johnson, No 10 said.

Radio 4 PM

Former Conservative MP Dominic Grieve, who lost his seat in Buckinghamshire after running as an independent, says he has no regrets about the decisions he made that led to the end of his career in Parliament.

Staunchly pro-remain, Mr Grieve was ejected from the Conservative Party earlier this year after he backed a bill to try to stop a no-deal Brexit.

"I don't regret what I did," he tells BBC Radio 4's PM programme. "I could not stay in a Conservative Party led by Boris Johnson. Quite apart from Brexit I'm afraid my own assessment of his character is that he is someone I cannot trust.

"Interestingly, it was something that came up on the doorstep over and over again. The problem for many constituents was that they felt they were between the devil and the deep blue sea. The fear of Jeremy Corbyn was so strong and constituents said 'I would like to vote for you but I just can't, I must vote Conservative because there lies safety'.

"Whether it does or not, time will tell."

Nick Eardley
Political correspondent

You’re also going to hear Boris Johnson talking a lot about one nation conservatism in the next few months.

But what is it?

Well, in some ways that’s down to whoever is defining it. There is no strict definition by which we can judge Boris Johnson over the next few years. It’s an idea which has been around in Tory circles for some time.

But broadly, it refers to the idea the Conservative Party should act for everybody in the UK.

That means policies that work for people from different economic backgrounds, from different regions and from the different nations of the UK.

There was a one nation group in the last parliament – which was in part seen as a counterbalance to the pro-Brexit ERG who had been pulling their weight when Theresa May was PM.

This is how they defined what they were fighting for:

Mr Johnson’s focus on the one nation pitch suggests he will seek to offer policies to people beyond the Tory heartlands – more public spending for example after years of austerity. More focus on infrastructure outside London. A lot more talk about the north of England.

That has become even more important now that a number of his MPs are from former Labour strongholds – sometimes with very different experiences of the British economy.

It might not be easy though – especially when it comes to the idea the UK is indeed one nation.

Last night’s result puts Scottish independence firmly back on the agenda – and the electoral maps in England and Scotland look very different indeed.

Image source, Reuters

Several hundred protesters have joined a rally in Glasgow city centre against Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Crowds have gathered on Buchanan Street to express their anger at the Conservative leader after his victory at the election.

Campaigners are holding placards and chanting as anti-racist speakers address the crowds.

Meanwhile, in central London, protesters are also on the march, including on Whitehall and near Leicester Square.

The campaign group leading the push for a so-called people's vote has conceded a second referendum on EU membership is no longer on the cards.

Open Britain, the organisation that succeeded the official Remain campaign of the 2016 referendum, says it will "rebrand" in the new year to push for a "fair deal for Britain" as the UK leaves the EU.

Tom Baldwin, communications director of the People's Vote campaign, says he doesn't think there is "much chance" of the public having a vote on Boris Johnson's withdrawal agreement.

In a statement, Open Britain says: "The People's Vote will now refocus its campaign to concentrate on vital social issues that this government must urgently prioritise in its Brexit.

It urges the government to "avoid a hard Brexit" which it says would be "a disaster for our country".

"The poorest and most vulnerable will be further marginalised if Boris Johnson's government crashes us out of the EU with no deal," it continues.