Brexit talks can start 'when United Kingdom is ready', says European Union chief negotiator

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But there was one sure take-away from the vote: more women than ever won seats in Parliament.

Ahead of the final result, May said Britain needed a "period of stability". She sought to deflect pressure on Corbyn, arguing that he had a weak record on security matters, but that did not stop questions about her own ministerial decisions. "I don't want to be derogatory, but I think she is a lame duck now".

The Scottish National Party were the other big losers on the night, suffering a humbling loss of 21 seats-unthinkable after their previously unassailable position north of the border.

"This is a major disaster for her personal authority over the country and the Conservative Party, particularly because she made this election all about her "strong and stable" leadership", Jane Merrick wrote for CNN. "The whole reason for the unexpected announcement of a snap election from Theresa May was to gain a more dominant hand when representing the U.K.in negotiations, but this outcome would suggest it has backfired and ultimately will result in the door being opened even wider when it comes to the United Kingdom entering further political uncertainty".

However, it set Scotland on a collision course with the government, with May making it clear that "now is not the time" for a potential split in the UK.

"What tonight is about is the rejection of Theresa May's version of extreme Brexit", said Keir Starmer, Labour's policy chief on Brexit, saying his party wanted to retain the benefits of the European single market and customs union. Lack of a majority can inhibit the government from passing legislation, and the party with the most seats often has to cobble a coalition to enact laws.

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Cleveland native Jason Dufner won the tournament finishing 13 under par. "I didn't want to leave the course angry", Dufner said. First at 4:18 p.m. for 77 minutes and again at 6:48 p.m. - also for 77 minutes - with just a half dozen players on the course.

The opposition Labour Party meanwhile has had a field day, gaining 31 seats as of 0700 GMT (3pm Singapore time) and almost wiping out the Tories in London. As both the largest and the incumbent party in Westminster, the Conservatives will have the first attempt. On the back of an unexpected surge, Labour's defiant Jeremy Corbyn called for May to quit and make way for a government more "reflective" of the UK.

Natural bedfellows in a Conservative-led coalition, perhaps, but with their staunch commitment to an open border with neighboring southern Ireland, they could yet prove a decisive and outsized force in Brexit negotiations - and by virtue, the success or failure of the Conservative Party's key manifesto pledge.

"It looks certain that Theresa May will be in trouble even if she just about squeaks a majority, or is able to form a government with the support of the Ulster Unionist parties".

He ended it with more than 30 extra seats and the UK's political system disrupted. It was also a hard night for Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party, who lost 21 seats (about 40% of her total).

The result represents "an natural disaster in Labour politics", political analyst Robin Oakley told CNN.

The pound has fallen further after British election results showed the Conservative party lost its majority.

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