Giles Hawke: Does a Boris Johnson win signal a new start or more of the same?

And I’ve discussed at length with people what is happening, what should happen and what is good for individuals and for our country.

I’ve heard a range of differing views: “I need to vote selfishly”; “Brexit is what was voted for so we need to get it done”; “comrade Corbyn as PM would be a disaster”; “Boris has got character and a sense of humour”; “you can’t trust any of them”.

On social media, probably based on my own leanings and the people I follow, I’ve seen much more commentary about tactical voting and the need to achieve a hung parliament to force a second referendum.

People are clearly more politicised now than in any time in recent history. The fact ex-Conservative heavyweights such as John Major, Michael Heseltine and Kenneth Clarke were actively urging people not to vote Tory, while A-list celebrities such as Hugh Grant – despite the vitriol they faced from others on social media – argued the same, is evidence of this.

And so the results – a strong majority for the Conservatives in terms of MPs in parliament and some big shocks. Many Labour seats have become Conservative and key figures such as Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson and ex-Tory and Labour candidates now running as independents have not regained their seats – Anna Soubry, Dominic Grieve and Chuka Umunna to name a few

This, however, doesn’t necessarily represent the feelings of the majority. Indeed, it should be noted that more people voted for pro-second referendum parties than for the two pro-leave parties, yet our (flawed) first past the post voting system fails to reflect this.

And despite the promises of Boris Johnson and co now about Brexit being “oven ready”, it’s worth pointing out the next few months and years are anything but certain.