BACK in 1966 at Wembley commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme uttered the immortal words “They think it’s all over... it is now as Geoff Hurst completed his hat-trick to seal England’s 4-2 win over West Germany and seal World Cup glory.

The same can now be applied to yesterday’s General Election, the third in a mere five years. Hopefully we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief and utter “thank God it’s all over” in the hope the result proved decisive.

I haven’t got a crystal ball so have no idea whether it is Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn who will be clutching the front door keys to Number Ten today.

Regardless of the outcome however, what is not in doubt is that this has been one of the most divisive election campaigns we have experienced.

Several key issues have dominated... Brexit, climate change, the economy and the NHS very much to the fore.

There has been plenty of rhetoric from the two main party leaders and many promises. Whether they will be delivered on clearly remains to be seen.

It has been intriguing to watch the hustings and indeed the television debates, plus of course there was Boris’ Love Actually spoof. It was either brilliant or cringe inducing, depending on your point of view.

The big hitters from all the parties were much in evidence throughout the campaign with Jo Swinson, Nicola Sturgeon and Nigel Farage also being given plenty of airtime on both the terrestrial and satellite television channels.

However, there were others who were notable by their absence.

Labour’s Diane Abbott, for instance, was nowhere to be seen. Bearing in mind she has been somewhat gaffe prone in the past and would, if Labour came to power, in all probability become Home Secretary, perhaps it was for the best.

Ditto applied to Jacob Rees Mogg, the Tory toff who made some ill-advised comments about the Grenfell Tower tragedy and hasn’t been heard of since.

Basically he went into Scarlet Pimpernel mode. “They seek him here, they seek him there, they seek him everywhere”.

But it was to no avail. The previously media friendly Mogg simply disappeared from our screens, banished to the outer fringes of the election campaign.

True to form, the weather on polling day was appalling but for the politicians themselves it was twiddle your thumbs time. Their work was done and their political futures were in the hands of that most unpredictable of beasts... the electorate.

One wonders what on Earth makes anyone want to become a politician.

OK, they are fairly well remunerated for their efforts but if I had been party to the interminable battle to resolve Brexit I would probably have plunged head first into the River Thames long before now.

Regardless of which party is in power as you read this those who are expecting a seismic change in attitude from the warring factions are likely to be disappointed.

Parliament will almost certainly be as divided as ever.

There will of course be some notable faces missing after they chose not to stand for re-election.

Former Conservative chancellor Ken Clarke will certainly be missed. He was a tremendous character who snubbed a swish government motor in favour of driving his own Ford Escort XR3i, invariably teamed a pair of Hush Puppies with his pinstripe suit and was partial to Havana cigars and a decent glass or three of port.

It is also to be hoped that Dennis Skinner, the Beast of Bolsover, has retained his seat although there has been a concerted effort to bring an end to his 49 years in Parliament this time around.

Skinner has been great value in the Commons for donkeys’ years and it is almost impossible to envisage him not delivering some of his classic barbs from the backbenches henceforth.

Closer to home, previous Conservative Home Secretary Amber Rudd has chosen not to stand again as indeed has Sir Nicholas Soames, the former Tory grandee who represented Mid Sussex.

It remains to be seen what the calibre of the new influx of MPs will be. Most importantly, regardless of the new make up of the House, we can but hope the petty squabbling and cheap shots will stop but the chances are slim and slim just left town.

If the politicians themselves are feeling tired and emotional then perhaps it is time for them to spare a thought for the electorate. Please, no more elections for the next five years.