The final polls of the general election showed neither Labour or the Tories could break the deadlock that looked destined to end in a hung parliament.

Labour pulled back three points to end the campaign level with the Tories on 35 per cent, according to the final ICM poll for the Guardian.

The pollster predicted that would leave both parties with exactly 273 MPs.

Ed Miliband and David Cameron denied throughout the campaign that they would need to seek support from other parties.

But this morning both will have begun negotiations with the leaders of smaller parties who could help them form a government.

They need to be sure of the support of at least 326 MPs ahead of the Queen’s speech on May 27.

In a hung parliament, the incumbent prime minister has the first opportunity to form a government.

But Mr Cameron will have a smaller pool of possible partners for either a formal coalition or informal confidence and supply deal.

Their chances are damaged by the ICM poll prediction that the number of Lib Dems will have been cut from 57 to 27 overnight.

Even with the support of 8 DUP MPs and any Ukip members, 273 Tories and 27 Lib Dems will not be enough to form Con-Dem mark II.

So if Labour can win the largest number of seats, then Mr Miliband’s claim to be able to form a government will be boosted. Winning the largest share of votes across Britain would also help.

The huge new group of SNP MPs, along with Plaid, Green and SDLP members is more likely to reach the magic majority.

Labour could then rule as a minority safe in the knowledge that the smaller left-wing parties would pay a heavy price for bringing down a Labour government.