A Tory victory, Labour bloodbath and Lib Dem crushing: Five questions from the general election

Discussions during the campaign centrered on coalitions, negotiations and party deals but what has emerged is a clear winner.

David Cameron

How did the polls get it so wrong?

Leading up to May 7 the opinion polls suggested a neck-and-neck result for Labour and Conservatives, with all eyes on the minority parties to bolster the main parties’ standing in the commons.

The 10pm exit poll returned what seemed last night like an unbelievable result.

Many thought it would round out with the Lib Dems taking some seats from the Tories and Labour from the SNP, but the nation woke up to the country turning a shade of blue.

It seems the Conservative’s scaremongering over a Labour/SNP coalition has paid off, with the electorate choosing what they know rather than the uncertainty of fresh blood in office.

Questions will remain over what changed between who people said they would vote for and how they voted in reality.

Who will replace Miliband to lead the Labour party?

Cameron bowled a hatrick as Farage, Clegg and Miliband step down as leaders of their parties following the shock results.

Miliband announced his resignation just over an hour ago, appointing Harriet Harman as interim leader.

Alongside staff and campaigners he thanked the selfie revolution and the rise of Milifandom, which proved not to be enough to secure his future.

Ed Miliband

He insisted the fight for a Labour government will go on, despite the party’s painful defeat.

"Now it is time for someone else to take forward the leadership of this party so I am tendering my resignation taking effect after this afternoon's commemoration of VE Day at the Cenotaph,” he said.

Farage quits but has he left the door open to return?

Nigel Farage announced his resignation earlier this morning after losing his Thanet south seat to the Conservatives.

Following his defeat he said he it was a weight off his shoulders and he had never felt better.

The Ukip leader called for electoral change and announced he would step down as leader- but said he could return after the summer.

It looks like he might take the summer off, enjoy a holiday, and return as the Ukip leader to continue the battle against the EU.

Nigel Farage

Can the Lib Dems survive?

The golden boy of the 2010 election is no more after a crushing blow which saw the Lib Dems reduced to just eight seats.

Some of the big names within the party- Vince Cable, Danny Alexander and Ed Davey- lost their seats, leaving very few to choose from in the battle for leadership.

Clegg, who retained his Sheffield Hallam seat, said: "It is simply heartbreaking to see so many friends and colleagues who have served their friends and constituents so diligently over so many years abruptly lose their seats because of forces entirely beyond their control."

Nick Clegg

He insisted the party “would win again” after a new leader has been chosen.

Was this election peak social media?

Selfies, Snapchats and stardom has defined this general election with the internet playing a encouraging part in engaging people, particularly the young.

Facebook was asking users to proudly confirm they voted and Snapchat ran a live stream of pictures from voters across the country.

Boris Johnson improving his selfie game

Election officials even had to warn voters not break the law by snapping a selfie in the voting booth.

Twitter users were in their element with memes and gifs appearing seconds after every trip, bacon sandwich accident and slip of the tongue.