Here's why you shouldn't despair over that exit poll yet

If Thursday evening's exit poll is anything to go by, we are set for another five years of a Conservative-led government.

But before you despair, there is one caveat.

John Curtice, the psephologist that analysed the poll of more than 20,000 people for the BBC, ITV and Sky News, told Bloomberg this week the poll may be wrong due to the increased number of marginal seats and the rise of smaller parties.

"Unless the polls are wrong, this is the closest election in 40 years," he said. "Once upon a time, you could concentrate on Conservative-Labour marginals, throw in a few Lib Dem seats and basically get it right. Until now you could ignore Scotland. You can’t ignore it any more."

Or, as Nate Silver puts it:

More: The Tories are going to win the election, this exit poll suggests