In a monumental shift in British politics, Sir Keir Starmer has declared “change begins now” following Labour’s decisive victory in the general election. Labour secured the necessary 326 seats to achieve a majority in the House of Commons, ending 14 years of Conservative governance. Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat shortly before Labour reached the required number of seats, acknowledging their win and congratulating Starmer on his triumph.
Amid cheers from supporters, a jubilant Keir Starmer addressed the crowd: “We did it, you campaigned for it, you fought for it, you voted for it and now it has arrived, change begins now.”
Starmer emphasized a renewed sense of hope for the UK: “The sunlight of hope, pale at first but getting stronger through the day. Shining once again on a country with an opportunity after 14 years to get its future back.”
Although votes are still being counted, exit polls predict Labour will secure 410 seats, more than doubling their previous count and resulting in a majority of 170 in the House of Commons. This would be just shy of the historic 179-seat majority won by Tony Blair in 1997, Labour’s last elected prime minister.
The results mark a dramatic shift, with the Conservative Party reduced to a predicted 131 MPs, their lowest in history.
A somber Rishi Sunak, who held onto his seat in Richmond, accepted responsibility for the defeat: “The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight.. and I take responsibility for the loss. To the many good, hardworking Conservative candidates who lost tonight… I am sorry.”
Key moments from the election night included several Tory cabinet ministers, such as Grant Shapps and Penny Mordaunt, losing their seats to Labour. The Liberal Democrats also claimed victories in traditionally Conservative strongholds, unseating Alex Chalk and Gillian Keegan. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn retained his seat as an independent, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage finally secured a Commons seat on his eighth attempt. Additionally, Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer defeated Labour’s Thangam Debbonaire in Bristol Central, and Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth lost his seat to an independent.
Rishi Sunak, the youngest prime minister of the modern era, took the helm of the Conservative Party in 2022. His leadership tenure faced challenges culminating in this historic election outcome, signifying a profound change in the political landscape of the UK.
