In a historic shift, the UK’s opposition Labour Party has won a significant parliamentary majority, ending the Conservative Party’s 14-year reign. Labour Party leader Keir Starmer has emerged as the country’s next Prime Minister, succeeding Rishi Sunak.
“It is surely clear to everyone that our country needs a bigger reset, a rediscovery of who we are,” Starmer declared on the steps of 10 Downing Street. “We will serve country first, party second.”
Labour gained its second-largest majority since Tony Blair’s 179-seat majority in 1997, while the Conservative Party suffered its worst-ever result in terms of seats. The Reform UK Party’s surge in votes significantly impacted the Conservatives’ performance.
Millions of people across the UK voted for their local representatives in the 650-member House of Commons on Thursday. While some ballots are still being counted, Labour has already passed the threshold needed to govern alone.
Sunak conceded defeat and resigned as Conservative Party leader, paving the way for Starmer to become the UK’s next Prime Minister.