NEW DELHI: Keir Starmer’s Labour Party won big in the UK general elections, marking a huge shift in British politics as Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party fell apart.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak admitted defeat to Labour Party leader Keir Starmer as the Conservatives faced a historic loss in the elections. Starmer is set to become the next UK Prime Minister, with trends showing the Labour Party crossing the majority mark in the House of Commons.
Under Keir Starmer’s leadership, the Labour Party has secured a majority after 14 years in the House of Commons, surpassing the 326 seats needed. They are currently leading with 406 seats, while Rishi Sunak’s party has only won 112 seats so far.
Rishi Sunak said the British people had given a “sobering verdict” and acknowledged there was a lot to learn from this. He took responsibility for the loss and said, “The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight… and I take responsibility for the loss.”
He added, “The Labour Party has won this general election, and I have called Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.”
After 14 years in power, the Conservative Party faced challenges, especially with how it handled the economy after the turbulent exit from the European Union.
ALSO READ: Hemant Soren returns as Jharkhand CM after 5 months
The cost of living crisis, with inflation hitting 11.1% in 2022, is believed to have hurt the Tories. Voters were also frustrated by the Sunak government’s poor handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and the healthcare system, as shown in opinion polls.
The Labour Party, led by the lawyer-turned-politician Keir Starmer, is set for a landslide victory in the UK elections, ending the Conservatives’ 14-year rule.
“On May 28, Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, declared on Social Media (X), ‘I have transformed Labour. I will fight for you and transform Britain,’ as part of his campaign for the UK elections held on July 4.”
Mr Starmer campaigned for leadership with a platform of 10 key pledges, which he said were rooted in the moral principles of socialism. These pledges included raising income taxes for the top 5% of earners, limiting UK arms sales, nationalizing railways, postal services, energy, and water, implementing a new Green Deal, and enhancing workers’ rights. However, since becoming party leader, he has largely moved away from these promises. He also emphasized that Brexit, the COVID pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and Tory government policies have severely impacted the nation’s economic progress.
Starmer, a former lawyer-turned-politician, campaigned on a platform promising substantial reforms, including higher taxes for the top earners, restrictions on arms sales, and broad nationalizations. However, upon assuming leadership, he pivoted, citing economic instability and the UK’s highest tax burden since World War II. His manifesto now focuses solely on nationalizing railways, postponing a €28 billion climate investment promise.
In a press conference in London, Starmer outlined Labour’s priorities to rejuvenate national unity through renewed political service, expressing relief at what he called a pivotal moment for the country.