As expected Harold Wilson got the majority he wanted, taking 363 seats while the Conservative total dropped to 253.

Labour's majority of 96 meant that for only the second time in its history the party could look forward to a full term in office.

On a swing of 3.1% from Tory to Labour, Wilson's party took a healthy 47.9% of the vote, leaving the Tories way behind with 41.9%.

Contrarily, the Liberal share of the vote fell, but the party picked up seats, rising from nine to 12.

As turnout fell, Labour seemed to benefit from the fall off in Liberal support, polling 750,000 more votes than in 1964, while the Conservatives lost half a million voters.

With the foundations in place for a long spell in office Wilson was able to dig in and chance his arm at turning Labour into the natural party of government.