David Cameron has promised voters “we are on the brink of something special in this country” as he returned to Downing Street with a Tory Commons majority for the first time.
The Prime Minister saw his seat tally tick over the all important mark of 326, an absolute majority, while he was at Buckingham Palace with Her Majesty The Queen.
And addressing the world’s media outside Number 10, he paid tribute to Nick Clegg’s work as Deputy Prime Minister and welcomed Ed Miliband’s “typically gracious” concession call earlier today.
Standing in front of the famous black door, Mr Cameron said: “We can make Britain a place where a good life is in reach for everyone who is willing to work and do the right thing.”
Mr Cameron had faced becoming the only Prime Minister who had never truly ‘won’ an election, but the Conservative majority means that he has now exorcised those particular demons.
The Prime Minister vowed to deliver his entire manifesto, including an in-out referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU, now he had a majority government.
He said: “As we conduct this vital work we must ensure we bring our country together.
“As I said in the small hours of this morning, we will govern as a party of one nation, one United Kingdom.
“That means ensuring this recovery reaches all parts of our country from north to south, from east to west.
“And indeed it means rebalancing our economy, building that northern powerhouse. It means giving everyone in our country a chance so no matter where you are from you have the opportunity to make the most of your life.”
The SNP’s incredible victory in Scotland means Mr Cameron is likely to face a call for full fiscal autonomy from Nicola Sturgeon and her party, although the Prime Minister appeared to only guarantee what has been included in the proposals put forward by the Smith Commission.
Mr Cameron said he would implement “as fast as I can” the devolution agreed for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, adding that he had “always believed in governing with respect”.
He added: “Governing with respect means ensuring the nations of our United Kingdom have their own governments as well as the United Kingdom government. Both are important.
“And indeed with our plans, the governance of these nations will become powerful with wider responsibilities.”
Mr Cameron concluded: “The real opportunities lie ahead. Everything I have seen over the last five years and, indeed, during this election campaign has proved once again this is a country with unrivalled skills and creativeness. A country with such good humour and such compassion.
“I am convinced that if we draw on all of this then we can take these islands with all our proud history and build an even prouder future.
“Together we can make Great Britain greater still.”
As he travelled back to Conservative HQ to watch the last results come in, Mr Cameron tweeted a picture of himself kissing wife Samantha.
“Here’s to a brighter future for everyone,” he wrote.