An unpredictable, exhilarating night for democracy

Although this was my first time being able to vote in a general election, due to my obessesiveness with politics and elections I know that this was perhaps the most unpredictable general elections for generations. There were marginals with tiny majorities that failed to be enveloped by the Tories while simultaneously apparently unwinnable seats fell with unprecedented swings.

The Liberal Democrats did terribly considering up until polling day they were on course to winning around 90 seats. They lost 13 seats and only gained 8. Indeed, I don't think Lembit Opik was expecting to lose his Montgomeryshire seat with a swing to the Tories of 13.2%. The election results quite frankly are all over the place.

I somehow managed to watch the whole thing from 10pm straight up until just over an hour ago thanks to the splendours of lucozade. So, what happens now?

Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats would be fools if they do not accept Cameron's offer of cooperation. If they refuse, they will look partisan and if they accept they will, after 100 years have some say in government. Personally I think this is the most favourable outcome of the hung parliament scenarios because it means Labour is finally (well, hopefully) gone for a few years while bi-partisanship and cooperation for the good of the nation will be a good symbol of democracy at work.

The swing to the Tories while not enough to gain them a workable majority, still is an impressive feat. The swing overall is larger than that of Thatcher in 1979 and indeed the Tories have gained more seats in this election than they have since 1931. Considering only a week ago it looked as though the Lib-Dem surge would be maintained until polling day, Cameron has succeeded. His party admittedly will be angry and frustrated: how on earth did they not have a landslide when the government has presided over 13 years of bloated, stagnant failures led since 2007 by a universally unpopular Prime Minister?

The answer to that is relatively simple; the Tories were starting off at a relatively low base with which to gain a majority so to gain 100 seats is something the Tories should feel positive about.

What now must happen is serious plans for deficit reduction and spending cuts in order to get the country moving again. The recent economic developments in Greece, Portugal, Spain and last night New York are all signifying the incredible problems ahead for this country. Do I think a hung parliament will inhibit any solutions to this problem? No. This could be the opportunity where the parties come together in order to tackle the almost insurmountable structural deficit we as a nation currently possess.

Overall an interesting night with some spectacularly random results. Congratulations to Zac Goldsmith for winning Richmond Park off Susan Kramer despite the Lib-Dem surge. I've always liked Mr. Goldsmith and am sure he will be a more than capable MP. Also congratulations to Caroline Lucas in winning the first Green seat in Brighton Pavilion. Now don't get me wrong, I personally despise the Green Party's blatant communist, tax-obessessed mentality but to win a seat at Westminster when your party's national share of the vote is currently just 1.0% (285,616) is quite an achievement.

Comiserations to Nigel Farage in coming third in Buckingham, I also hope he and the pilot have a speedy recovery after the unfortunate plane crash that occured yesterday.

With a hung parliament now clearly official, I can happily say I am excited about what this will do for politics in Britain.

The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats would be wise to now work together to sort this country out. The voters deserve honesty, clarity and much-needed solutions.

Let's just see what happens...