London, July 5,2024: The Labour Party has officially won enough seats to have a majority in Britain’s Parliament, as vote counting continues.
Labour leader Keir Starmer, who is set to become the first Labour prime minister in 14 years, says his government will always put “country first, party second.”
He said a “mandate like this comes with great responsibility,” and added that his government will be focused on “national renewal.”
“We have to return politics to public service,” he said.
With more than half of all 650 seats counted, Labour looks set to secure one of its biggest ever majorities in the House of Commons.
Starmer is expected to pay a visit to King Charles III later Friday to get the monarch’s permission to form a new government.
“We did it,” Starmer told supporters at the Tate Modern museum in London.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says Labour has won the election.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says the British people have “delivered a sobering verdict,” and the Labour Party has won the election.
Sunak, who held onto his seat in North Yorkshire, told those gathered: “The Labour party has won this general election.”
“I take responsibility for the loss,” he said. “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 has called Labour leader Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.
“Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner, with goodwill on all sides. That is something that should give us all confidence in our country’s stability and future,” Sunak said.