Labour shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson has won the Houghton and Sunderland South constituency, in the first result of the night.

The commission said it will be conducting research of the public in the coming weeks, including those that applied to vote by post.

Rishi Sunak’s party is set to be routed across the UK, according to the exit poll, the final test of public opinion before results are announced.

The Electoral Commission warned there had been “unacceptable abuse and intimidation of candidates,” as well as acknowledging “there is room to improve the experience for some” during voting after the ...