Tag: Britain

LONDON — Political deadlock gripped Britain on Friday as no party won enough seats to form a government — a so-called "hung parliament." The result plunges the country into uncertainty just 10 days before complex and high-stakes talks with Europe over Brexit are due to begin. Although an election had not been due until 2020, Prime Minister Theresa May gambled and sent voters to the ballot box early as she sought to bolster her strength ahead of the talks. Instead, her hold on power was weakened as she lost her majority in the House of Commons. Her Conservatives retained the most seats — 318 out of 650 — but were unable to govern without a deal involving another party. A spokesman said May would visit Queen Elizabeth later to seek permission to form a minority government with the h...