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 and that is what we will now do
and if we are lucky enough to be
returned as the polls as the exit polls
seem to suggest then that work will
begin tomorrow thank you all very much
rather I should say not tomorrow today
[Applause]
this is obviously a very disappointing
night for the Labour Party with the
result that we've got but I want to say
this in the election campaign we put
forward a manifesto of hope a manifesto
of unity and a manifesto that would help
to right the wrongs and the in justices
and inequalities that exist in this
country I want to also make it clear
that I will not lead the party in any
future general election campaign 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 and I will
lead the party during that period to
ensure that discussion takes place and
we move on into the future for millions
of people in our country these results
will bring dread and dismay and people
are looking for hope
I still believe that we as a country can
be warm and generous inclusive and open
and that by working together with our
nearest neighbors we can achieve so much
more