Labour leader Keir Starmer pledged a “national renewal” after has party achieved a landslide victory in the UK’s general election.
With more than half of seats counted, Labour has gained at least 326. The threshold for a working majority in the House of Commons is 320.
Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives have seen their seat share drop down to 131.
“Our task is nothing less than renewing the ideas that hold this country together: national renewal,” Starmer said.
“A mandate like this comes with a great responsibility,” he said.
“We did it,” he said at a victory party in London. “Change begins now.”
Hope is “shining once again on a country with the opportunity after 14 years to get its future back,” he said.
“The fight for trust is the battle that defines our age,” he said. “It is why we’ve campaigned so hard on demonstrating we are fit for public service.”
“We have to return politics to public service. Show that politics can be a force for good.”
World leaders congratulate Starmer on landslide win
World leaders congratulated Keir Starmer after his Labour party achieved a landslide result in UK’s general election.
“Congratulations (Sir Keir) on a comprehensive victory in the UK election,” Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Congratulations @Keir_Starmer on a comprehensive victory in the UK election. I look forward to working with you as close neighbours and friends. The relationship between Ireland and the UK is deep and consequential. I look forward to it going from strength to strength
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 5, 2024
“I look forward to working with you as close neighbours and friends,” the Taoiseach, as Ireland’s prime minister is known, said.
“The relationship between Ireland and the UK is deep and consequential. I look forward to it going from strength to strength.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters that he looks forward to working with Starmer’s government.
“We have a strong relationship between our two countries, but in Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner and so many others who I am very familiar with in the British Labour Party, I look forward very much to working with them. They have very similar views to us on a range of issues,” he said.
“I’m sure we’ll work closely on AUKUS, where we worked very closely as well with the former government.”
Canada’s head of government, Justin Trudeau, congratulated Starmer on the “historic” victory.
“Congratulations, @Keir_Starmer, on a historic U.K. election victory. Lots of work ahead to build a more progressive, fair future for people on both sides of the Atlantic. Let’s get to it, my friend,” he said.
Congratulations, @Keir_Starmer, on a historic U.K. election victory.
Lots of work ahead to build a more progressive, fair future for people on both sides of the Atlantic. Let’s get to it, my friend. pic.twitter.com/QWlNF9NYcJ
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 5, 2024
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon congratulated Starmer and thanked outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
“Congratulations @Keir_Starmer on your election victory. New Zealand and the UK are great friends and can do so much more together. I look forward to working on every opportunity together as prime ministers. Thank you @RishiSunak for your service to your nation and friendship to New Zealand,” he said.
Rishi Sunak concedes defeat, calls Keir Starmer to congratulate the incoming PM
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has conceded defeat and apologized for a poor election result.
Although Sunak retained his seat of Richmond in Yorkshire, his speech following that declaration in his constituency had a somber tone, as he said: “The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight, there is much to learn and I take responsibility for the loss. To the many good, hard-working Conservative candidates who lost tonight, despite their tireless efforts, their local records and delivery, and their dedication to their communities. I am sorry.”
He added that he had called Labour leader Keir Starmer to congratulate him.
Source: DW
