The United Kingdom’s Labour Party, Friday, emerged victorious in the country’s general elections, bringing into power, leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer as Prime Minister-elect.
The Labour had long anticipated the win, following months of continuous campaigning and expression of its drive to turn things around for the greater good of the country.
Labour Party’s Keir Starmer as UK’s New Prime Minister-elect
Speaking shortly after the announcement of results from the polls which revealed that the Labour party exceeded the 326-seat threshold for a working majority in the House of Commons, Prime Minister-elect, Keir Starmer, joined supporters for a triumphant dawn rally in London.
The 61-year-old former human rights lawyer who delivered a triumphant victory speech said, “A mandate like this comes with a great responsibility,” as he pledged to start a period of “national renewal” in the UK after his opposition Labour Party defeated the ruling Conservatives in the general election.
His words: “Today we start the next chapter — begin the work of change, the mission of national renewal and start to rebuild our country,”
This was however, after Head of state, King Charles III asked Starmer to form a government during a meeting at Buckingham Palace, officially appointing him as PM.
Starmer also doubles as the Labour Party’s first Prime Minister since Gordon Brown in 2010. His landslide victory remarkably, puts an end to 14 years of Conservative rule in the UK.
In his speech, Starmer also said in his first speech as PM:
“Now, our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and a return of politics to public service.
“The work of change begins immediately, but have no doubt, we will rebuild Britain,”
The BBC reports that as the final figures come in, Labour is expected to win 410 seats, with the Conservatives on 144.
Conservative Sunak congratulates Starmer, Says “Sorry”
Meanwhile, Conservatives Rishi Sunak has accepted defeat and said he called Starmer to congratulate him while agreeing to step down as PM.
According to reports, the 44-year-old former financier gambled on going to the country six months before he had to, hoping that better economic data would swing public support back towards the Tories.
However, it became glaring as results began to roll out from Thursday’s polls, indicating faint opportunity for the Conservatives to retain power after 14 years of economic hardships, Brexit upheaval and Tory infighting.
Sunak while speaking outside the Prime Minister’s residence at Downing Street, before heading to Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation as prime minister to King Charles III, said, “To the country, I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry.”
“I have given this job my all, but you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change. And yours is the only judgment that matters.
“I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss,” Sunak added.
The observant Hindu who is Britain’s first PM of colour wished his successor Keir Starmer well, calling him “a decent, public-spirited man who I respect.”
Sunak also said, “One of the most remarkable things about Britain is just how unremarkable it is that two generations after my grandparents came here with little, I could become prime minister.”
“And that I could watch my two young daughters light Diwali candles on the steps in Downing Street. We must hold true to that idea of who we are.”
World Leaders Congratulate Starmer
Following Starmers announcement as UK’s new prime minister-elect, congratulatory messages have trooped in from various world leaders including the European Council chief Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who said Starmer would be a “very good, very successful” prime minister.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his congratulatory message also said the two countries would “continue to be reliable allies through thick and thin,” even as Ramsey Sargent, an ally from Outside London’s busy Waterloo station, called it a “super exciting time.”
According to Sargent, a 49-year-old engagement officer who spoke with news men, “It was a momentous election. It has been very rocky over the last few months and years. I’m excited to see what happens next.”
The results have however, bucked a trend among Britain’s closest Western allies, with the far right in France eyeing power and Donald Trump looking set for a return in the United States.
