INSTANT VIEW-PM Johnson heads for Brexit election win

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is on course to win Thursday's election, giving him the numbers in parliament needed to pass his Brexit divorce deal next month, according to an exit poll on Thursday. Below is early reaction:

JOHN BERCOW, FORMER HOUSE OF COMMONS SPEAKER "That would be a phenomenal victory for the Conservative Party and Boris Johnson will feel completely vindicated with the gamble that he took. That would be an absolutely dramatic victory."

NAOMI SMITH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE PRO-EUROPEAN CAMPAIGN GROUP BEST FOR BRIATIN "While this exit poll isn't promising, the influence of tactical voting at this election has yet to be revealed.

"Let's be clear: a majority for Boris Johnson tonight would engulf the UK in a fresh crisis. There is no Brexit deal, only an agreement to talk about a deal in the future."