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Exit poll at 10pm BST to give indication of election outcome ahead of overnight vote countsUK general election results 2024: live trackerWhat time will we know who won? Guide to the nightThere are many memorable moments on election night, but it is hard to beat hearing the exit poll being read out. For those actively involved in the campaign, this is the moment of agony or joy. It’s coming soon.For years David Dimbleby read the results out on the BBC. As a broadcaster, it is one of the biggest tasks you can be given. But, surprisingly, Dimbleby thinks exit polls are a bit of a waste of time, and that they spoil the drama. This is what he writes about them in his memoir, Keep Talking.The glory of a British election is that 650 constituencies have to give their result individually and do so within a few hours of the polls closing. So what is the point of exit polls? As they become more accurate they drain the drama from the night, like revealing the denoument of what should be a play in five acts. I see no point in spending money predicting what is going to happen in a few hours’ time rather than waiting for it to happen. The exit poll adds nothing and spoils the fun. If it is accurate and is confirmed by the actual results it makes the reality a dull affair, simply confirmation of what has been predicted. Continue reading...