Cameron wins clearly and promises EU vote and more power for Scotland

David Cameron has returned to Downing Street after the Tories defied polls and won the general election. The Conservatives made gains in England and Wales; they have secured 331 seats in the Commons, giving them a slender majority.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has recorded a historic landslide general election victory in Scotland, winning 56 out of 59 seats.

Cameron’s party is expected to get a 37% share of the national vote, Labour 31%, UKIP 13%, the Lib Dems 8%, the SNP 5%, the Green Party 4% and Plaid Cymru 1%.

Mr Cameron's rivals Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage have all resigned after election disappointment.

CAMERON´S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

David Cameron has promised to lead a government for "one nation" and make "Great Britain greater" as he returned to Downing Street as Prime Minister.

In his acceptance speech outside No 10 after visiting Buckingham Palace, he said the UK was "on the brink of something special".

The Conservatives have 331 seats - five more than needed for a Commons majority - their first such victory since 1992. That means they will be able to govern without the need for a coalition or a formal agreement with other parties

Mr Cameron said he would reach out to all parts of the UK and strive to "bring the country together" in the wake of the SNP's election landslide in Scotland - where it won 56 of the 59 seats.

"I have always believed in governing with respect," he said "That's why in the last parliament we devolved power to Scotland and Wales, and gave the people of Scotland a referendum on whether to stay inside the United Kingdom.”

“In this parliament I will stay true to my word and implement as fast as I can the devolution that all parties agreed for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland”, he added.

He has promised Scotland, not quite full fiscal autonomy, but increased power over taxes: “In Scotland, our plans are to create the strongest devolved Government anywhere in the world with important powers over taxation”, he explained.

Although he also made clear the importance of England: “no constitutional settlement would be complete if it did not offer also fairness to England”, he manifested.

Cameron also pledged to go ahead with his promised referendum on the UK's continued membership of the European Union. "Yes, we will deliver that in-out referendum on Europe”, he confirmed in his Downing Street speech.

Mr Cameron said he had spoken to both Mr Miliband and Mr Clegg; paying tribute to the latter's contribution to the coalition government over the past five years.

Top 4 cabinet posts will be announced later this afternoon: Chancellor, Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary, and Defence Secretary. The rest will be known on Monday.

LOSERS RESIGNED

Speaking in London, Ed Miliband confirmed he would step down as leader with immediate effect after Labour lost nearly 48 seats, adding that deputy leader Harriet Harman would succeed him pending a leadership contest.

Labour, he said, needed an "open and honest debate about the way forward without constraints." "I am truly sorry that I did not succeed,  I have done my best for five years", he told his supporters.

Nigel Farage stated that he is a man of his word, having promised to step down should he fail to secure South Thanet. He recommended that Suzanne Evans should be acting leader.

Nick Clegg has also quitted as leader after a "crushing" set of losses, which saw Vince Cable, Danny Alexander, David Laws, Simon Hughes and Charles Kennedy among a slew of Lib Dem casualties.

FOREIGN LEADERS REACTIONS

Foreign politicians have been congratulating UK Prime Minister David Cameron on the election victory of his governing Conservative Party.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said he was "looking forward to meeting Mr Cameron soon".

A statement from his office said he would examine any British proposals in "a very polite, friendly and objective way" but warned that key principles including the freedom of movement were "non-negotiable".

Barack Obama has congratulated David Cameron on his “impressive electoral victory” and once again hailed “their special and essential relationship”.