UK's centre-left Labour sweeps to power as leader Starmer vows to bring change

RFI

5 July 2024 at 3:02 am·1-min read

Keir Starmer has vowed to bring change to Britain as its next prime minister after his Labour Party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections, ending 14 years of Conservative government. But he also acknowledged bringing change would not be easy.

The centre-left Labour was set to win a massive majority in the 650-seat parliament with Rishi Sunak's Conservatives poised to suffer the worst performance in the party's long history as voters punished them for a cost of living crisis, failing public services, and a series of scandals.

"Change begins now," Starmer said in a victory speech. "We said we would end the chaos, and we will, we said we would turn the page, and we have. Today, we start the next chapter, begin the work of change, the mission of national renewal and start to rebuild our country."

Sunak had earlier conceded defeat and said he had called Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.

"Today power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner, with goodwill on all sides," Sunak said after regaining his seat. "There is much to learn and reflect on and I take responsibility for the loss to the many good hardworking Conservative candidates ... I am sorry."

The EU on Friday congratulated Starmer, with European Council President Charles Michel calling it "historic'.

"I look forward to working with you and your government in this new cycle for the UK," Michel said on social media platform X,.

What will UK foreign policy look like under Labour?

Challenges ahead

(with newswires)

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Challenges ahead

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