London – After 14 years of Conservative government, the Labour Party has won the general election in a landslide result.
Keir Starmer becomes the 7th Labour Prime Minister in the history of the party and the UK’s 58th Prime Minister.
“We did it! Change begins now,” Starmer, the incoming Prime Minister, said in his victory speech.
The UK is getting a new government and a new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.
The first past the post system means people vote for who they want to be their local representative in Parliament, with 650 MPs elected across the country.
Despite voter turnout being the lowest in more than 20 years, the Labour Party has won a majority, taking 33.9% of votes across the country and winning 412 seats.
This is a result that’s comparable to Tony Blair’s 1997 triumph.
On the other hand, the Tories took 23.6% of the popular vote and won 120 seats.
Former PM Liz Truss was among the Tory heavyweights to lose their seats in the Conservatives’ worst electoral performance for generations.
In a final Downing Street speech, Rishi Sunak said he would also step down as Conservative Party leader, but not immediately.
“I have heard your anger,” he said, after a devastating night for the Conservative party.
Sunak resigned as Prime Minister after meeting the monarch, as the monarch has a key role as head of state and a Constitutional role.
Labour leader Starmer has met the King at the palace to formally become Prime Minister, after which Starmer will address the nation from Downing Street.
Starmer said he had been to Buckingham Palace, where King Charles invited him to form a new UK government.
The new UK prime minister said in his speech, “Now our country has voted decisively for change and a return of politics to public service.”
Starmer continues: “Whether you voted Labour or not — in fact, especially if you did not — I say to you directly that my government will serve you.
“Politics can be a force for good. We will show that.
“We have changed the Labour Party and returned it to service; that is how we will govern.
“Country first, party second.”
Starmer further acknowledged that change may take time but promised to rebuild the nation “brick by brick.”
A challenge lies ahead for him and his party, but they have been preparing and making their plans to get down to business and deliver change fast.
There will be events that will happen domestically and internationally that will show the work of the Labour Party and what they will be doing to bring about the change that is needed.
He, however, accepted that “our work is urgent and begins today.”
