General Election 2019 reactions: what the winners and losers had to say

It is an election result that has shocked Britain. The Conservatives have been returned to power with a huge majority, as a Jeremy Corbyn-led Labour crumbled at the polls.

In Scotland, the SNP celebrated almost complete domination, while Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson lost her seat to the Nationalists.

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Here are some of the key quotes from politicians and party leaders.

Boris Johnson

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The victorious Tory leader said his party had "changed the political map":

"We must understand now what an earthquake we have created. The way in which we have changed the political map of 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, we must, we just answer the challenge that the British people have given us."

Jeremy Corbyn

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The Labour leader vowed to stand down before the next election:

"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."

Jo Swinson

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The Lib Dem leader, who lost her seat to the SNP, released the following statement:

"I am proud that in this campaign, the Liberal Democrats have stood up for openness, generosity and hope. We were honest about what we believe in and what we were trying to achieve.

"This is clearly a setback for liberal values. But there are millions of people across the country who believe in them. By coming together to fight for them, we can create a positive future."

Nicola Sturgeon

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After winning 48 seats in Scotland, the SNP leader said her party now have a mandate to hold an independence referendum:

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"I accept that Boris Johnson after this election has a mandate to take England out of the European Union, but he does not have a mandate to take Scotland out of the European Union.

"And I have a mandate, a renewed, refreshed, strengthened mandate, to offer people in Scotland the choice of a different future.

"It is then up to people in Scotland what choice they make."

Arlene Foster

The DUP leader was disappointed after the party lost two of its 10 MPs, including deputy leader Nigel Dodds:

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"It was very clear in both North Belfast and South Belfast that nationalism came together and decided they were going to get rid of Emma (Little Pengelly) and Nigel (Dodds).

"We fought very hard against that but the numbers were against us in both constituencies."

Donald Trump

The US President congratulated Mr Johnson on Twitter:

"Congratulations to Boris Johnson on his great WIN! Britain and the United States will now be free to strike a massive new Trade Deal after BREXIT. This deal has the potential to be far bigger and more lucrative than any deal that could be made with the E.U. Celebrate Boris!"

Congratulations to Boris Johnson on his great WIN! Britain and the United States will now be free to strike a massive new Trade Deal after BREXIT. This deal has the potential to be far bigger and more lucrative than any deal that could be made with the E.U. Celebrate Boris!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2019

Nigel Farage

The Brexit Party leader predicted an EU extension:

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"My view is a big majority means that the influence of the ERG, the influence of those who are committed Eurosceptics, becomes a lot weaker and I would expect, I'll predict, by July 1 we will be extending the transition period out until 2022".

Jess Phillips

The Labour MP said there was no "silver bullet" for her party:

"This is not a time for easy answers, as much as I wish it was, I wish there was some silver bullet but I also wish I was a size 10."

There are very few words for how heartbroken I am for the community I represent who have been through enough.

— Jess Phillips Esq., (@jessphillips) December 12, 2019

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"In the weeks ahead we will elect a new leader and our party will continue to be the rallying point for anyone who believes in a country where everyone has the chance to get on in life" - Baroness Sal Brinton who has become the joint acting leader of the Liberal Democrats following Jo Swinson's defeat.

More reactions to the results

"Corbyn was a disaster on the doorstep. Everyone knew that he couldn't lead the working class out of a paper bag" - Former Labour Home Secretary Alan Johnson

"We set out to make the Conservative party conservative again and I think it's job done. Well done to Boris" - Arron Banks, the co-founder of the Leave.EU campaign

"In the last Parliament, I did my best and was at the forefront of the fight to defend British democracy from Boris Johnson. Now it's time for me to switch my energies to defend Scottish democracy from Boris Johnson." - Joanna Cherry, SNP MP for Edinburgh South West

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"My view is a simple view and that is that you cannot ignore democracy. You can try and push it away if you wish but the people in the North, the people who I associate myself with on a daily basis, are very much aggrieved" - Labour Party chairman Ian Lavery who held the Wansbeck seat

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