LABOUR'S Tony McNulty has refused to be drawn on his chances of retaining his seat in Parliament.

The Harrow East candidate said he would not predict a result in the constituency seat and labeled his opponent, Tory Bob Blackman, “arrogant” after he earlier declared he was “quietly confident” of victory.

Mr McNulty said: “I was the only candidate in 1997 who came to this very hall without predicting anything.

“I think it is arrogance to say you are quietly confident, and I think it is arrogance to say you've won it.

“We are witnessing something magical here and I don't think we should be predicting anything. It is taking the public for granted.”

The Labour stalwart said he had received “fantastic” support on the doorstep during the campaign, and welcomed the predicted high turnout.

He said: “Whatever the outcome, the increase in turnout has got to be a plus, and in part that is because of the debates.”

Mr McNulty is facing a tough battle to hold on to his Harrow East seat in the face of the challenge from Mr Blackman.

Reflecting on the possibility of a hung Parliament, he defended Gordon Brown's constitutional right to try to form a government if no party gains a majority of seats.

He said: “It is a constitutional imperative that the country can't not have a government, and the incumbent Prime Minister has a responsibility to explore all the options.

“It is a deliberate consititutional entitlement to keep the Queen out of politics.”

The volunteers at Harrow Leisure Centre have finished verifying the thousands of votes cast, and are preparing to start counting.

A result is not expected here until around 5am at the earliest.