Theresa May's failed quest for a big majority was ostensibly to give her wriggle room with her back benches not only when dealing with contentious Brexit negotiations but also with domestic legislation in education, care, the NHS and public spending. This is all now out the window.

Technically Mrs May still has a majority. Assuming the 10-strong DUP stays neutral and avoids voting against a Conservative government, and Sinn Fein continues not to participate, then she has 319 MPs against the collective 313 from Labour, the Lib Dems. Plaid Cymru, SNP and the one Green – an overall majority of six.