Newington's Lizzy Roberts rounds up our General Election event on what the election result will mean for the future of UK and European politics.

The BBC’s Sean Curran chaired a panel comprising former cabinet member and Conservative election campaign adviser, the RT Hon. Lord Andrew Lansley CBE; journalist, political commentator and former President of YouGov, Peter Kellner; and Managing Director of Newington Public Affairs, Naomi Harris.

Starting the discussion, Lord Lansley was asked whether the Conservatives could still run under the banner of being the free-market party, and whether businesses should be worried.  Reassuring the audience, he said that while there had been pledges that had raised eyebrows among some colleagues, the Conservatives understood how important it would be to position the UK as attractive to investors in a post-Brexit world.

Looking ahead to polling day, Peter Kellner placed his prediction (with the health warning of ‘flying blind’ in light of there being no national poll immediately after the postponement of campaigning) of a Conservative majority of 122 while Lord Lansley said a majority of 80 would be necessary to protect Theresa May from backbench rebellions. A number to keep in mind on election results day.

Naomi Harris looked across the Channel and said the rhetoric during the General Election campaign risked colouring the first round of Brexit negotiations, which would convene just days after the result and set the tone of discussions over the next two years. 

All three agreed that the 2017 General Election, which started as an apparently foregone conclusion, would be remembered for a series of misfires that would have repercussions far beyond the campaign trail.

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