Seven key points from the US mid-term elections

The reaction to Democratic wins a during party election night event in Washington Credit: Jacquelyn Martin/AP

The US has voted in midterm elections billed by some as among the most important in history. Here are seven things to emerge so far.

  • Democrats take over the House of Representatives

The Democrats will seize control of the House of Representatives from the Republicans, giving them the power to frustrate Donald Trump’s policy plans.

One of two congressional legislative chambers, the House will tip into blue control after Democrats picked up moderate, suburban districts across the north-east and Midwest.

  • But the Republicans hold the Senate

The party of government retained control of the upper chamber and actually made gains in the Senate, which it will hold on to for at least the next two years.

Had they lost control of both chambers, it would likely have had dire consequences for Mr Trump.

  • So who came off best?

The midterms were billed as a referendum on Mr Trump’s presidency, but overall the voters have delivered a mixed verdict.

Both parties can claim partial victories, although the Democrats’ hoped-for “blue wave” has not materialised.

Mr Trump tweeted that the night had been a “tremendous success”.

  • An historic night nonetheless

Democratic candidate Rashida Tlaib became the first Muslim woman to be elected to Congress after she was comfortably installed as representative of Michigan’s 13th District.

She was followed by the second Muslim woman to be elected to the chamber, Ilhan Omar, in Minnesota’s 5th District.

Jared Polis became Colorado’s first openly gay governor on a night when there were many firsts.

  • Beyonce got political

Pop superstar Beyonce revealed who she had backed in the midterms when she shared images of herself wearing a “Beto for Senate” baseball cap.

Democratic candidate Beto O’Rourke was ultimately beaten by Ted Cruz, who challenged Mr Trump for the presidency back in 2016.

  • Queuing controversy

Voters were urged to stay in their queues amid reports of technical malfunctions with machines leading to long lines at polling stations in several states.

Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said it was still possible to cast a ballot if they were in line when stations closed.

  • Our correspondent's view

ITV News Washington Correspondent Robert Moore said the president had been sent "a distinctly mixed message by voters" but the Senate results would be a "huge disappointment" for the Democrats.

He wrote: "So what next for this roller-coaster presidency? Donald Trump now faces brutal trench warfare that will make his first two years seem like a serene picnic.

"Democrats will launch multiple aggressive investigations into the Trump White House. They will demand the President’s tax returns. They will probe his conflicts of interests and his family finances

"They will examine questions of nepotism and corruption.

"You get the picture - there are going to be fireworks all the way to the 2020 presidential campaign.

"What we don’t yet know is how the President will respond."