Key Takeaways
- The UK Labour Party has won an outright majority in the British parliament, paving the way for Keir Starmer to become the new Prime Minister.
- Rishi Sunak has conceded defeat and is expected to announce his resignation soon.
- The Labour Party’s victory marks a significant shift in British politics, with the party expected to serve the interests of the British people.
London: The Labour Party, headed by Keir Starmer, has won an outright majority in the lower house of the British parliament, according to a tally of seats by broadcaster Sky News.
With 467 of parliament’s 650 seats declared, the Labour has won 326, Sky News said early Friday.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat in the general election minutes before any media outlet declared that the threshold of 326 seats was reached.
The exit poll forecasted a landslide win for the Labour Party, with 410 seats. Meanwhile, the Conservatives were expected to lose 131 seats.
“The Labour Party has won this general election, and I’ve called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory,” Sunak said.
“The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight, there is much to learn… and I take responsibility for the loss,” he said.
Sunak is expected to announce his resignation soon to pave the way for Starmer to take over as Britain’s new prime minister after meeting Britain’s King Charles III.
“We did it. You campaigned for it, you fought for it — and now it has arrived,” Starmer addressed crowds in central London after the Labour majority was confirmed. “Change begins now.”
The British people “had to look us in the eye and see that we can serve their interests — and that doesn’t stop now,” he said.
“I don’t promise you it will be easy,” he added. “But even when the going gets tough — and it will — remember tonight and always what this is all about.”
