Mr Blair's majority from his 1997 win was 179. Almost immediately, speculation began over the future of the Tory leadership, but the party hierarchy moved to defend William Hague's credentials, although Kenneth Clarke, former chancellor, criticised his leader's stance on Europe. Mr Hague remained defiant to the end, dismissing the exit polls. He is relaxed about them. His reaction was the same as his reaction to other polls.
Polls are polls.
Hamilton South MP, Bill Tynan, became the first Scottish MP to be returned to the Commons with a majority of 10,775 over his nearest rival, SNP challenger John Wilson. All politicians, especially those of us with substantial majorities, ought to take note. I think the profession of politics, in my view, has been demeaned by the nature of the campaign. Turnout in the seat Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader, was fighting to retain was also believed to be low. Earlier, just a few hours before the polls closed, Labour was expecting to lose seats, but not enough to dent its majority severely.