LONDON: Keir Starmer is set to be Britain’s next prime minister after his Labour Party secured a decisive victory in the parliamentary election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. Labour has won over 400 of the 650 seats, with exit polls predicting around 412 seats. The Conservatives have only secured 70 seats, marking their worst performance in history, largely due to a cost of living crisis, failing public services, and scandals.
Starmer, after winning his seat in London, stated, “People are ready for change, to end the politics of performance and return to public service. It is now time for us to deliver.” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat, congratulating Starmer and acknowledging responsibility for the Conservative loss.
Despite the victory, Starmer faces significant challenges, including high taxes, debt, declining living standards, and struggling public services like the National Health Service. He has already reduced some ambitious Labour plans and pledged not to raise taxes for working people.
The right-wing populist Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, contributed to the Conservative defeat by capturing four seats and winning more votes than the Conservatives in many areas. Farage declared, “There is a massive gap on the centre-right of British politics, and my job is to fill it.”
Starmer has promised to improve EU relations post-Brexit but ruled out rejoining the EU. He also vowed continued support for Ukraine and may have to navigate working with Donald Trump if he wins the US presidential election in November.
The election marks a significant turnaround for Labour, which was in crisis three years ago. Conservative scandals, including Downing Street lockdown parties and Liz Truss’s brief, disastrous premiership, eroded their support. Sunak’s early election call, while trailing Labour by 20 points, resulted in a campaign disaster. Ed Costello of Grassroots Conservatives remarked, “The Conservative Party appears exhausted and out of ideas.”
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