shortly after voting ended, two exit polls conducted for broadcasters found that labour was on course for victory. harris, for itn, gave labour 50%, conservatives 32% and liberal democrats 11%, while nop for the bbc found labour on 51%, the conservatives 32% and the liberal democrats 10%. labour were so confident of winning that a champagne celebration was held for the benefit of news photographers who would have deadlines long before the result was declared. it was 3:30 am before the returning officer announced the actual result.