Cameron and Conservatives sweep to unexpected triumph in British election
British prime minister defies polls predicting close election to secure majority but now faces questions about the country's position in EU
Prime Minister David Cameron won a stunning election victory in Britain, overturning poll predictions that the vote would be the closest in decades to sweep easily into office for another five years, with his Labour opponents in tatters.
The sterling currency, bonds and shares surged on a result that reversed expectations of an inconclusive "hung parliament" in which Cameron would have had to jockey for power with Labour rival Ed Miliband.
Instead, Cameron headed off to meet Queen Elizabeth before noon to accept a swift mandate to form a government.
The royal standard was raised at Buckingham Palace to signal the queen was there awaiting him.
"This is the sweetest victory of all," he told enthusiastic supporters at party headquarters. "The real reason to celebrate tonight, the real reason to be proud, the real reason to be excited is we are going to get the opportunity to serve our country again."
Despite the unexpectedly decisive outcome, more uncertainty looms over whether Britain will stay in the European Union - and hold together as a country.