NEW DELHI: Keir Starmer will take over Britain’s new Prime Minister on Friday after his centre-left Labour Party secured a sweeping victory in the general election, effectively ending 14 years of Conservative rule. Starmer’s election marks the first Labour government since 2010, achieving a significant shift in the political landscape.
Landslide victory for Labour Party
Labour managed to capture a significant number of traditionally Conservative seats across the country, leading to the defeat of several high-profile members of the Cabinet.
Defence secretary Grant Shapps was among the notable losers, along with senior minister Penny Mordaunt and prominent Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg. Finance minister Jeremy Hunt, however, narrowly retained his seat by a margin of just 891 votes.
The Conservative Party’s worst electoral result prior to this was 156 seats in 1906.
Labour’s resounding success contrasts sharply with their fortunes just five years ago, when Jeremy Corbyn led the party to its worst defeat since 1935 in an election heavily influenced by Brexit. Keir Starmer took leadership in early 2020, moving the party back to the political center, expelling internal conflicts and issues such as anti-Semitism, thus making Labour a more viable option for voters. Consistent polling had shown Labour enjoying a 20-point lead over the Conservatives for nearly two years, suggesting an inevitable Labour victory — the first since Tony Blair’s win in 2005.
Change begins here: Starmer
Addressing a triumphant crowd of Labour supporters in central London, Starmer, 61, declared, “Change begins here,” promising a “decade of national renewal” and pledging to put “country first, party second.” Despite the victory, he cautioned that such transformative change would not be immediate.
Starmer inherits a challenging agenda with slow economic growth, underfunded public services, and financially strained households. He has pledged to restore political integrity after a turbulent period marked by five Tory prime ministers, including three within four months, amid scandals and allegations of misconduct.
Sobering results: Outgoing PM Rishi Sunak
Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, re-elected to his seat, acknowledged the change in power with a somber message. “The Labour Party has won this general election, and I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory,” Sunak said. “Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner with goodwill on all sides,” he added, referring to the landslide results as “sobering” and taking responsibility for the Conservative defeat.
Sunak is set to tender his resignation to King Charles III, who will then invite Starmer to form a government.
Landslide victory for Labour Party
Labour managed to capture a significant number of traditionally Conservative seats across the country, leading to the defeat of several high-profile members of the Cabinet.
Defence secretary Grant Shapps was among the notable losers, along with senior minister Penny Mordaunt and prominent Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg. Finance minister Jeremy Hunt, however, narrowly retained his seat by a margin of just 891 votes.
The Conservative Party’s worst electoral result prior to this was 156 seats in 1906.
Labour’s resounding success contrasts sharply with their fortunes just five years ago, when Jeremy Corbyn led the party to its worst defeat since 1935 in an election heavily influenced by Brexit. Keir Starmer took leadership in early 2020, moving the party back to the political center, expelling internal conflicts and issues such as anti-Semitism, thus making Labour a more viable option for voters. Consistent polling had shown Labour enjoying a 20-point lead over the Conservatives for nearly two years, suggesting an inevitable Labour victory — the first since Tony Blair’s win in 2005.
Change begins here: Starmer
Addressing a triumphant crowd of Labour supporters in central London, Starmer, 61, declared, “Change begins here,” promising a “decade of national renewal” and pledging to put “country first, party second.” Despite the victory, he cautioned that such transformative change would not be immediate.
Starmer inherits a challenging agenda with slow economic growth, underfunded public services, and financially strained households. He has pledged to restore political integrity after a turbulent period marked by five Tory prime ministers, including three within four months, amid scandals and allegations of misconduct.
Sobering results: Outgoing PM Rishi Sunak
Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, re-elected to his seat, acknowledged the change in power with a somber message. “The Labour Party has won this general election, and I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory,” Sunak said. “Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner with goodwill on all sides,” he added, referring to the landslide results as “sobering” and taking responsibility for the Conservative defeat.
Sunak is set to tender his resignation to King Charles III, who will then invite Starmer to form a government.