THERESA May signalled the Conservatives will seek to push on in power after insisting it will be “incumbent” on the party to provide post-election stability.

The Prime Minister, accepting victory in her constituency of Maidenhead, said the full picture across the UK has yet to emerge although it appears as if the Tories will win the most seats and most votes.

Amid predictions the Tories may fall short of a majority, Mrs May said: “At this time more than anything else, this country needs a period of stability.

“And if, as the indications have shown and if this is correct that the Conservative Party has won the most seats and probably the most votes, then it will be incumbent on us to ensure we have that period of stability – and that is exactly what we will do.”

Mrs May went on: “I would like to thank all those across the country who have voted for the Conservative Party today. “As we ran this campaign, we set out to consider the issues which are the key priorities for the British people – getting the Brexit deal right, ensuring that we both identify and show how we can address the big challenges facing our country, doing what is in the national interest.

“That is always what I’ve tried to do in my time as a Member of Parliament, and my resolve to do that is the same this morning as it always has been.

“As we look ahead and wait to see what the final results will be, I know – as I say – the country needs a period of stability and whatever the results are the Conservative Party will ensure we fulfil our duty in ensuring that stability so that we can all, as one country, go forward together.”