Labour celebrates landslide victory in the UK - Keir Starmer to become prime minister
According to the count, Labour secured almost all votes and obtained 410 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons. This brings the party close to its record result of 1997 under Tony Blair, when it won 418 seats. The Conservative Tories led by Prime Minister Sunak reportedly came in second with 119 seats - significantly fewer than their worst electoral result in 1906, when they won 156 seats.
With the election victory, Labour leader Starmer is set to become the new British Prime Minister. In his victory speech at a London party headquarters, the 61-year-old said: "We turn the next chapter today - we begin the work of transformation, with the mission of national renewal and the rebuilding of our country."
The designated Prime Minister urged that the transition would not happen overnight. The incoming Labour government faces "hard work," Starmer emphasized. "It's not enough to press a button to change a country," he stated. He spoke of a "changed Labour Party" that is "ready to serve the nation."
Sunak acknowledged his defeat. The Tory leader called the result "disappointing" and assumed responsibility for his party's poor performance.
The Liberal Democrats also made significant gains and, according to the preliminary results, secured 71 seats. This is the best result in the party's history, surpassing the Scottish National Party, which won eight seats and significantly fewer than in the previous election.
The far-right Reform UK Party of Brexit supporter Nigel Farage gained four seats. Farage himself managed to secure a seat in the British Parliament for the eighth time. The British Greens also gained four seats.
Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour Party chairman, entered the House of Commons once again. The 75-year-old ran as an independent candidate after being expelled from the Labour Party due to antisemitism allegations. Since 2020, Corbyn, who led Labour to its worst defeat in decades in 2019, had been sitting in Parliament as an independent.
In the past 14 years, the British people had experienced five Conservative prime ministers - three in the past four months. Liz Truss managed to stay in office for only 49 days, setting a new negative record.
Four of the past five Conservative party leaders lost their constituencies on Thursday. Former prime ministers and ministers Boris Johnson, David Cameron, Theresa May, and Liz Truss lost their parliamentary seats to opposition candidates. Only the outgoing prime minister Sunak successfully defended his seat.
The Conservatives primarily waged a negative campaign, warning of tax increases under a Labour government and promising tougher approaches on immigration and security issues. Labour leader Starmer, on the other hand, campaigned for a return to seriousness in British politics, promised long-term economic growth, and presented himself as a servant of the country.
After the clear defeat of the Conservatives, Sunak is expected to resign as Prime Minister on Friday and submit his resignation to King Charles III. Shortly thereafter, the monarch is expected to invite Starmer to form the new British government. Starmer's next stop will then be the Prime Minister's official residence at 10 Downing Street in London, where he will give his first speech and appoint his ministers.
For Starmer, who began his political career only nine years ago and worked as a lawyer beforehand, this is a remarkable rise. Sunak, who had taken office only 20 months ago, is however the first serving British Prime Minister not to be re-elected in a Parliamentary election.
European Council President Charles Michel congratulated Starmer on his "historic" victory. "The European Union and the United Kingdom are important partners," Michel wrote on the online service X. He looked forward to future cooperation.
Keir Starmer, the victorious Labour Party leader, is on the brink of becoming the new Prime Minister of Great Britain, following a landslide victory in the election. This result brings Labour close to their record-breaking performance in 1997 under Tony Blair, when they secured 418 seats. Despite their efforts, the Conservative Tories, led by Prime Minister Sunak, came in a distant second with 119 seats.
Starmer, in his victory speech in London, emphasized the need for hard work and transformation, aiming for national renewal and rebuilding the country. His predecessor, Boris Johnson, was among the five Conservative party leaders who lost their constituencies on Thursday, setting a precedent for the recent instability in Conservative leadership.
The Liberal Democrats and the far-right Reform UK Party of Nigel Farage also made significant gains, securing 71 and 4 seats, respectively. Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour Party chairman, returned to the House of Commons as an independent candidate, having been expelled due to antisemitism allegations.
Liz Truss, who served as Prime Minister for only 49 days, set a new negative record for the Conservatives. Four of their past five leaders failed to retain their seats during this election, leaving Sunak as the lone survivor.
European Council President Charles Michel congratulated Starmer on his "historic" victory, looking forward to future cooperation between the European Union and Great Britain. Keir Starmer's incredible rise to the Prime Minister's post began only nine years ago, and he will take office at 10 Downing Street in London.
