In only a slightly less profound version of Labour’s dramatic recapture of power in 1997, Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party secured a powerful parliamentary majority in the British general election on Thursday.

While the final measure of the Conservative victory is not yet clear, the exit poll and results that have come in thus far suggest the conservatives will win between 355 and 375 seats. Certainly any result within that margin would give Johnson a significant buffer with which to enact his legislative priorities. But it also means that Johnson will have great latitude in his negotiating strategy towards the European Union as he seeks a long-term trade and political relationship post-Brexit.