2024-07-05 10:00:10
Keir Starmer’s Labour Party is headed towards a resounding victory after crossing the majority mark in the 650-seat parliament, heads and shoulders ahead of the incumbent Conservative party led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as results of the UK general election rolled in on Friday.
Conceding defeat to Starmer, Sunak said the British people have “delivered a sobering verdict” as Labour handed a historic defeat to the Conservatives (Tories), who were in power for 14 years marked by turmoil and economic doldrums.
With results declared in over half of the constituencies, Labour won 343 seats, with its tally growing by the minute, while the Tories were a very distant second with just 76 seats in their kitty. The Liberal Democrats secured 37 seats, while the right-wing Reform UK, led by Brexit champion Nigel Farage, won in four constituencies. The Scottish National Party also bagged four seats, with others winning 13 seats.
UK election results: Latest developments
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Exit polls indicate that Keir Starmer is poised to become the next Prime Minister, with his Labour Party set to secure 410 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons, establishing a commanding majority of 170 seats.
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The Conservative Party is forecast to take only 131 seats, a drastic decline from their 365 seats in the 2019 election. Senior Tory leaders, including Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, and Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer, are predicted to lose their seats.
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In more bad news for Rishi Sunak, he may lose his parliamentary seat. A survey suggests that his 27,000-strong majority in the Richmond Northallerton constituency could be overturned. In the event of such an outcome, he would be the first sitting Prime Minister to lose his seat in a general election.
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The Liberal Democrats, led by Ed Davey, are projected to secure 61 seats, a notable increase from their 2019 performance. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party is expected to win 13 seats.
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Labour’s success is being attributed to widespread discontent with the Conservative government’s handling of the economy and internal party strife. The party faced additional challenges from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, which siphoned off Conservative votes with its anti-immigrant rhetoric.
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Keir Starmer won his seat in north London but on a much-reduced majority, the Associated Press reported. After his victory, the Labour leader said “voters have spoken and they are ready for change”.
“It all starts with you. Change begins in this community,” he said. “You have voted, it is now time for us to deliver.”
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Nigel Farage became an MP on his eighth attempt, winning a seat in the pro-Brexit town of Clacton. He played a leading role in bringing about Britain’s departure from the European Union and has found takers for his anti-immigrant policies.
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In the highest-profile Conservative loss so far, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps lost his seat to Labour’s Andrew Lewin. Commons leader Penny Mordaunt was also defeated by her Labour rival in Portsmouth North, the BBC reported citing sources.
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Former Justice Minister Robert Buckland, the first Tory to lose his seat as results trickled in, blasted his own party for “performance art politics” and a lack of discipline under Rishi Sunak’s leadership.
Andrea Leadsom, another senior Tory leader, said the party was no longer “Conservative enough” and criticised its engagement with “woke” issues.
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Senior Labour politicians, including Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, praised Starmer for leading the party to the “cusp of power.”
Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s shadow education secretary, delivered the first victory speech of the night, declaring that the British people have “chosen the leadership of Keir Starmer.”
