In a historic shift, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has conceded defeat in the UK elections held on Thursday, July 4. With this concession, the stage is set for Labour Party leader Keir Starmer to become the next prime minister. The Labour Party is on track for a landslide victory, ending the Conservative Party's 14-year rule.
Addressing his supporters and the media, Sunak declared, "The Labour Party has won this general election." He extended his congratulations to Keir Starmer and took responsibility for the Conservative Party's significant electoral loss.
Although Sunak managed to secure victories in Richmond and Northallerton, the Conservative Party, under his leadership, has faced its worst-ever electoral defeat. With results for 500 out of 650 House of Commons seats declared, the Labour Party is projected to surpass the halfway mark of 326 seats and potentially win an additional 166 seats.
The elections were initially not scheduled until January 2025, but Sunak's decision to call for early polls surprised many. His hopes for increased voter support, bolstered by an improved economic situation, ultimately fell short.
The Conservative Party's 14-year tenure has seen five different prime ministers, several of whom faced controversies while in office. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson lost both his premiership and his parliamentary seat after it was revealed that he had misled lawmakers about hosting parties during the strict COVID-19 lockdown. Liz Truss, another Conservative PM, resigned after just 45 days in office following the implementation of a disastrous economic policy that severely impacted the British economy and sent shockwaves around the globe.
With the Labour Party poised to take control, a new chapter in UK politics is about to begin, marking the end of a tumultuous era for the Conservative Party.
