Following Labour’s victory, the Conservatives suffered their worst defeat since the beginning of the 20th century.
Labour has won the general election by a large margin. Labour secured 412 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons, more than the 326 seats needed to obtain an absolute majority and form the future British government on its own.
The Conservatives suffered their worst result since the beginning of the twentieth century. The centrist Liberal Democrats appear to be gaining strength, while the anti-immigration party Reform UK has scored its first electoral success. Its leader, Nigel Farage, a fervent supporter of Brexit, was elected to the British Parliament.
On the other hand, the Scottish separatists suffered a serious setback, winning only nine seats out of the 57 representing Scotland, compared with 48 previously.
Labour’s comeback
Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, is set to take office at Downing Street, ending 14 years of opposition for Labour following a resounding victory over the Conservatives in the general election. The election was also marked by a significant surge from the hard right. The 61-year-old former human rights lawyer is expected to be tasked by King Charles III on Friday to form a new government.
The incoming British Prime Minister has promised a “national renewal” for the United Kingdom. “Our task is nothing less than to renew the ideas that hold our country together,” he stated in a speech as his party secured an absolute majority in the next Parliament. “I do not promise you that it will be easy,” he added.
Starmer has vowed to transform the country as he did with the Labour Party, focusing on economic re-centering methodically and pragmatically. He aims to boost growth, revitalize public services, strengthen workers’ rights, reduce immigration, and bring the UK closer to the European Union without reversing Brexit, a campaign taboo.
“Our national renewal is a task that we must undertake with determination and unity,” Starmer said, emphasizing his commitment to tackling the significant challenges facing the country. His approach, characterized by careful planning and steady progress, promises to address the key issues that have plagued the UK for years, offering a hopeful vision for the future.
Conservative Ministers Ousted in UK Elections
In a stunning series of defeats, several key Conservative ministers lost their seats in the latest UK general elections. Leading the fall was Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who lost his North London constituency to a Labour candidate. This was soon followed by Penny Mordaunt, the minister for parliamentary relations and a 2022 contender to succeed former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who also lost her seat.
In an unexpected turn, former Prime Minister Liz Truss, who spent 49 days at Downing Street, lost her South West Norfolk seat. This constituency, a Conservative stronghold since 1959, has now flipped to Labour.
Dozens of incumbent MPs had chosen not to run for re-election, including notable figures such as former Prime Minister Theresa May. Conversely, several prominent Conservatives managed to retain their seats, including Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, and Trade Minister Kemi Badenoch. Badenoch, often mentioned as a potential future leader of the Tories, is considered a strong contender to succeed Rishi Sunak after the party’s defeat.
Unsurprisingly, Rishi Sunak announced his resignation as leader of the Conservative Party. “The Labour Party has won this general election,” Sunak conceded. “The British people have delivered a clear verdict tonight (…) and I take responsibility for this defeat,” added the Prime Minister after being re-elected in his Richmond constituency in Yorkshire.
