Thursday’s snap election, which was called by Theresa May six weeks ago, has resulted in a hung Parliament. The Conservatives remain the largest party in the Commons, but failed to retain enough seats to make up an overall majority.

Conservative leader Theresa May has attracted the ire of her party; after repeatedly denying that she would hold an election ahead of Brexit negotiations, which are set to begin in ten days’ time, May eventually called an election in April, anticipating that the Tories would massively increase their majority. However, after a disastrous campaign, the party lost 12 seats, while Labour gained 29.

The Lib Dems also made modest gains, picking up 4 seats for a grand total of 12, though former party leader Nick Clegg lost his Sheffield Hallam seat to Labour candidate Jared O’Mara. The party’s press office said last night that there would be “no coalition, no deals” when asked about the possibility of rejoining with the Conservatives or forming a Progressive Alliance with Labour and the SNP. Though they made gains last night, the Lib Dems are in a very different situation compared to seven years ago, when they went into coalition with the Tories, having gained 57 seats.

In the absence of a coalition forming, this will be Britain’s first hung Parliament since the early 1980s.

There have already been suggestions that Theresa May’s position could be under threat in light of the poor result, as well as speculation over Tim Farron’s future as Lib Dem leader, after he managed to retain his Lonsdale seat with a majority of just 777. For her part, May has rejected calls to step down on Friday morning.

Reacting to the result on Friday morning, NFU President Meurig Raymond said, “The NFU is committed to start working with whoever forms the new government to ensure all areas of Whitehall understand and value the importance of British food and farming.  The NFU has a good relationship with all parties and, as ever, will work with whoever is in power to promote the interests of British farming.

“British farming [is] arguably the sector most impacted by Brexit; NFU members need clarity and certainty as soon as possible over who will govern the country and how they plan to support profitable, productive and progressive agriculture and horticulture in the future. The NFU will be seeking early meetings with Ministers. It is important for our industry to have clarity and see certainty from a functioning administration as soon as possible.”

Turning to Brexit talks, Mr Raymond said, “If the formal Brexit negotiations begin as planned on June 19 we will continue to push for the right post-Brexit trade deal, regulatory framework, a domestic agricultural policy suited to Britain and access to a competent, reliable workforce.”

**Update 09/06/2017 10:45am**

On Friday Morning, Theresa May announced she will be asking the Queen’s permission to form a government with the Democratic Union Party. The meeting is set to take place at around 12:30. There is, as yet, no information available on whether the Tories’ deal with the DUP will extend to a full coalition, or a ‘confidence and supply’ agreement.

**Update 09/06/2017 12:55pm**

In an address from Downing Street following a meeting with the Queen, Theresa May announced that she will form a minority government with the Tories' "Friends and allies" in the DUP.