Rishi Sunak has taken responsibility for the historic defeat of the Conservative Party in the general election.
Sir Keir Starmer has led the Labour Party to a landslide victory and is set to replace Sunak as the UK’s prime minister.
Addressing supporters, Sunak acknowledged the sobering verdict delivered by the British people, stating, “There is much to learn… and I take responsibility for the loss.”
Speaking in central London, Sir Keir expressed his optimism, proclaiming, “Change begins now. It feels good, I have to be honest.”
With over 500 seats declared out of 650, Labour is projected to form the next government with a majority of 166.
The Conservatives are facing their worst result in history, losing over 170 seats and forecasted to hold only 136 MPs.
Sir Keir told cheering Labour supporters that the country is awakening to a new dawn of hope, emphasizing the opportunity after 14 years to reclaim its future.
He added, “Now we can look forward – walk into the morning.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage secured a seat in Parliament on his eighth attempt in Clacton, promising further surprises to come.
The Scottish National Party is expected to be reduced to just eight MPs, as Labour regains dominance in Scotland.
Several senior Tories including Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, Commons leader Penny Mordaunt, and former minister Sir Jacob-Rees Mogg lost their seats.
The Liberal Democrats are benefiting from a collapse in Tory support and are predicted to secure 66 MPs – their best result in history.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn retained his Islington North seat as an independent, while high-profile former Labour MP George Galloway lost to Labour’s Paul Waugh in Rochdale.
Carla Denyer of the Green Party won Bristol Central, and co-leader Adrian Ramsay secured Waveney Valley, doubling their party’s MPs with hopes for further gains.
Sir Keir Starmer’s expected landslide victory, while less than Tony Blair’s 179 majority in 1997, marks Labour’s return to Downing Street after 2010, setting the stage for a Tory leadership battle if Sunak steps down.
Former attorney general Sir Robert Buckland, the first Tory MP to lose his seat, described the election as “electoral Armageddon” and criticized colleagues for divisive campaign behavior.
SNP First Minister John Swinney acknowledged challenges in the independence argument despite ongoing support in opinion polls.
“We’ve got to look at very carefully as a party and to think about how we can remedy that situation,” he said.
