The UK has a hung parliament, with the Conservatives winning the most seats, after the general election produced no overall winner.

With nearly all results in, Theresa May looks likely to end up with 12 fewer seats than when she called the election.

It is expected that the Prime Minister will try to form a government, but Jeremy Corbyn is also considering his options..

May said the country needed "stability" after the election result and she intended to try and govern on the basis that her party had won the largest number of votes and seats.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says it is vitally important a government is established as quickly as possible to provide political and economic stability. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "UK Automotive is vitally important to the UK economy and jobs across the country and now more than ever we need strong engagement by government with the industry, both on the domestic agenda and in European negotiations, to secure future growth and investment in our sector.

"Collaboration with our industry is the key to securing a globally competitive business environment, an ambitious industrial strategy and a strong relationship with Europe and our trading partners across the world."

Nigel Baxter, managing director at RH Commercial Vehicles, said: “I had hoped that the economic realities and the need for a strong hand going into the Brexit negotiations would carry more weight with voters. Yes, we have some difficult, complicated and expensive social and security problems to solve but tax and spend to meet wild promises just isn't the answer.

“Theresa May didn't gel with voters, and didn't come across well enough to those who have endured a very long but necessary period of austerity, I had hoped and expected more from her in the campaign.

“It's not good for the UK, we don't look cohesive to our European friends as we go into difficult and complex negotiations which will be hampered by opposition and compromise here in the UK Parliament.”

He continued: “For our own part, we need to ensure close cost control to protect our business and employees and continue to deliver excellent service to our clients hoping that confidence isn't too badly damaged in respect of sales activity.

“For a nation weary of elections I'd bet on another before the year end.”

Isotrak CEO, Tony English, said whoever forms the next government will face the important task of improving the air quality in the UK. “When the government has been formed, it will be under pressure in the coming months to address and fulfill a range of pressing issues," he said. 

"We are hopeful that it will place as much emphasis on the equally important task of improving air quality in the UK, as highlighted in the Draft UK Air Quality Plan published earlier in May. 

"Investing in cleaner air and doing even more to tackle air pollution were key priorities set out in the draft plan, with a particular focus on tackling the high levels of nitrogen dioxide around roads. This action, combined with a commitment to making motoring cleaner through innovation, will ideally create a healthy, better-off UK for people to live and work. 

"The government will however, need to consider trends such as the rise in popularity of online shopping and related home/office delivery, which has unfortunately contributed to increased levels of air pollution, particularly in the larger cities where levels are seen at their highest.

"The use of electric vehicles is certainly a viable solution in the long-term, but in the more immediate future, telematics will be highly valued and have a significant role to play as a means to become more operationally efficient and eliminate waste, thereby contributing to a reduction in harmful emissions.”

 

 

 

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