The U.K.’s opposition Labour Party secured a significant parliamentary majority in the recent general election, ending the Conservatives’ 14-year rule. In a historic turn of events, outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged defeat early on Friday as Labour crossed the threshold required to govern independently.
The center-left Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, is set to assume power, with Starmer being declared the nation’s next prime minister following the victory announcement in the early hours.
Projections indicate that Labour is on track to achieve its second-largest majority, rivaling the monumental 179-seat majority secured by former Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1997. The election saw millions of voters across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland casting their ballots for local representatives in the 650-member House of Commons, the lower house of parliament. While ballot counting is ongoing, individual constituencies are progressively revealing their elected candidates as vote tallies are finalized.
The election results reflected a resounding defeat for the Conservatives, with approximately 250 Conservative lawmakers losing their seats. Notably, a record number of senior ministers, including former Prime Minister Liz Truss, were among those ousted from office.
As the final results are awaited, Labour has already secured 410 seats, overshadowing the Conservatives’ 117 seats, while the centrist Liberal Democrats have achieved their best-ever performance with 70 seats.
The overwhelming victory by the Labour Party and the consequent change in government leadership mark a significant political shift in the U.K., setting the stage for new policy directions and priorities under the incoming Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration.
