C-SPAN II is carrying BBC coverage and analysis of the election returns, starting at 5 PM eastern time (2 PM pacific, 10 PM in the UK). Coverage continues until 10 PM eastern time (7 PM pacific, 3 AM in the UK). Use this thread to leave your comments on proceedings. I have a sense their might be a number of interesting and surprising results. Even if there aren't, watching all the candidates from a particular constiuency stand on stage and have their vote totals announced - whether they are in the Labour, Conservative, Monster Raving Loony, or Freedom to Smoke Pot Party, is a sight to behold.

Update: The exit polls shows 37 Labour (down 3.3), 33 Conservative (up 1.3) , 22 Liberal Democrat (up 3.7). A sixty-six seat majority for Labour is predicted. More results as they come in.

11:31 (London time) The results so far, which admittedly are very few, look as though things might be even worse for Labour than the exit polls suggest. The overall swing against them might be 5%, which is only 1.5% off from a hung parliment. This might result in a very narrow majority, and the end of Tony Blair as Labour leader. Both the Tories and the Liberals look to make decent gains.

1:35 am: It is starting to look like a big night for the Tories. While the Liberal Demcorats are doing well in picking up Labour seats and old Labour voters, the Tories are picking up both Labour seats and Liberal Democrat seats. Also, while the Liberals are doing well in safe Labour districts, the Tories are gaining almost only in close races. The Labour majority might be less than 40. Gordon Brown might be Prime Minister very soon.

First forecast (1:52 am): Labour 357 (down 46), Tory 201 (up 36), Liberal Democrat 59 (up 8). Labour majority of 68. Perhaps not quite so bad for Labour after all. That would probably be enough for Blair to survive.