…What you need to know about the UK election
By Zaheena Rasheed and Urooba Jamal
Published On 4 Jul 2024
The Labour Party has secured a landslide victory in the UK election to end 14 years of Conservative rule. “We did it!” Keir Starmer, the Labour leader and incoming prime minister, said in his victory speech. “Change begins now.”
Outgoing Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak concedes defeat, saying it has been a “difficult night”.
There was a surge in support for the Liberal Democrats, while the populist right wing Reform UK party picked up support from disgruntled Conservative voters to win a clutch of parliamentary seats.
The Scottish National Party had what party leader John Swinney called a “very poor result” losing dozens of seats.
Key issues for voters in the UK included the cost of living, the health service and housing.
At (10:01 GMT)
Breaking
Sunak thanks Britons in final remarks
This is a difficult day at the end of a number of difficult days.
But I leave this job honoured to have been your prime minister.
This is the best country in the world, and it is thanks entirely to you, the British people, the true source of all our achievements, our strengths and our greatness. Thank you.
At (09:58 GMT)
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More from Sunak
Sunak continues:
Whilst he’s been my political opponent, Sir Keir Starmer will shortly become our prime minister.
In this job, his successes will be all our successes and I wish him and his family well.
He and his family deserve the very best of our understanding as they make the huge transition to their new lives behind this door and as he grapples with this most demanding of jobs in an increasingly unstable world.
Sunak then thanks his colleagues, civil servants and family, before concluding:
One of the most remarkable things about Britain is just how unremarkable it is that two generations after my grandparents came here with little, I could become prime minister and I could watch my two young daughters light Diwali candles on the steps in Downing Street.
We must hold true to that idea of who we are. That vision of kindness, decency and tolerance that has always been the British way.
At (09:55 GMT)
Sunak hails his government’s achievements
The outgoing leader said:
When I first stood here, as your Prime Minister, I told you the most important task I had was to return stability to our economy. Inflation is back to target, mortgage rates are falling, and growth has returned.
We have enhanced our standing in the world, rebuilding relations with allies, leading global efforts to support Ukraine, and becoming the home of new generation of transformative technologies.
And our United Kingdom is stronger to with the winds of framework devolution restored in Northern Ireland, and our unions strengthened.
I’m proud of those achievements. I believe this country is safer, stronger and more secure than it was 20 months ago.
At (09:47 GMT)
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Sunak calls Starmer a ‘decent’ man
“I will shortly be seeing his majesty the king to offer my resignation,” said outgoing PM Rishi Sunak.
“Starmer is a decent, public-spirited man who I respect,” Sunak added.
At (09:47 GMT)
Sunak says he is stepping down
Sunak says:
To all the Conservatives candidates and campaigners who worked tirelessly but without success, I am sorry we could not deliver what your efforts deserved.
It pains me to think how many good colleagues who contributed so much to their community and their country will now no longer sit in the House of Commons.
Following this result, I will step down as party leader, not immediately, but once the formal arrangements for selecting my successor are in place.
At (09:42 GMT)
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Rishi Sunak delivers speech
The outgoing prime minister and leader of the Conservative Party has just begun his speech outside Number 10 Downing Street.
Source :Al Jazeera