"Labour only won because they are not Tory."
The Labour Party won a landslide victory at the general election and this means Sir Keir Starmer will become the next Prime Minister.
The Labour leader secured the 326 seats required for a majority in the House of Commons – putting an end to 14 years of Conservative rule.
Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat moments before the number was reached, declaring at his election count:
“The Labour Party has won this general election and I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.”
Shortly afterwards, Sir Keir told a crowd of supporters:
“We did it, you campaigned for it, you fought for it, you voted for it and now it has arrived, change begins now.”
He added the UK is once again experiencing the “sunlight of hope”.
“The sunlight of hope, pale at first but getting stronger through the day. Shining once again on a country with an opportunity after 14 years to get its future back.”
Labour will now form the next government.
Student Gurpreet was delighted that Labour won the general election and said:
“I’m thrilled to see a change in government and Prime Minister.
“Even though Rishi Sunak represented the Asian community, he was really out of touch.”
However, others were sceptical, with Sanjana telling DESIblitz:
“Let’s be honest, the majority of people and voters know that Labour didn’t win because of Starmer’s leadership or policies.
“Labour only won because they are not Tory.
“I’m delighted the Tories got smoked, but Starmer isn’t the right leader to take us forward.”
Avi agreed: “Labour only won because tactical voters like me made sure the Tories lost.”
Although he held on to his seat in Richmond and Northallerton, a solemn Mr Sunak said his party had faced a “difficult night” and he took full responsibility for the results.
He said: “The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight… and I take responsibility for the loss.
“To the many good, hard-working Conservative candidates who lost tonight… I am sorry.”
The victory means there will be a Labour Prime Minister for the first time since 2010.
Meera now looks at what comes out of this, saying:
“Now we’ll see if Labour will deliver on the promises they’ve made. They have got no excuses.
“They haven’t inherited an economy after a massive global financial crisis. Let’s see if these plans actually exist. I hope so.
“I didn’t vote to be poorer and they promised that I won’t be.”
It also means the Conservatives face a fight over the party’s future direction.
Senior party figures have already been weighing in on what went wrong.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, seen as a leadership contender on the right, blamed the result on the Conservative’s “not keeping our promises”.
Not only have the Tories faced a battering from Labour but also from the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK.
Reform UK’s success saw Nigel Farage win in Clacton – his eighth attempt at entering parliament – alongside former Tory Lee Anderson, who won his seat of Ashfield, and Rupert Lowe, who took Great Yarmouth for the party.
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has hailed the results for his party as “exceptional”.
The Lib Dems won their highest number of seats since the party was founded – securing more than 70.
Outside Downing Street, Rishi Sunak 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 judgement that matters.”
He announced that he would resign as Conservative Party leader but only when formal arrangements for a successor have taken place.
Mr Sunak paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer, whose successes he said will be shared by the country.
He went on to thank his colleagues and expressed gratitude to his wife and daughters.
“I can never thank them enough for the sacrifices they have made so that I might serve my country.”
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