New Delhi, July 5: In a dramatic turn of events, Sir Keir Starmer has become the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, following a decisive electoral victory for the Labour Party over the Conservatives.
The power shift was marked by a formal handover at 10 Downing Street, where Rishi Sunak conceded defeat after the Tories faced their worst electoral performance in modern history.
Sunak addressed the nation, accepting responsibility for the significant loss before heading to Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation to the King. Shortly thereafter, Starmer was invited by the monarch to form a new government. He then addressed a jubilant crowd of supporters outside Downing Street, declaring, “The work of change begins immediately,” in his inaugural speech as Prime Minister.
Labour’s triumph is reminiscent of Tony Blair’s landslide victory in 1997, with the party securing an impressive 412 seats, with only two constituencies left to be counted. This sweeping victory signifies a major shift in British politics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Starmer via Twitter, saying, “Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to @Keir_Starmer on the remarkable victory in the UK general elections. I look forward to our positive and constructive collaboration to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in all areas, fostering mutual growth and prosperity.”
The election results have prompted intense reflection within the Conservative Party, as many prominent figures, including former Prime Minister Liz Truss, lost their seats. The night also saw historic gains for other parties: the Liberal Democrats, Reform UK, and the Greens secured their highest-ever seat counts, with 71, four, and four seats respectively. Conversely, the SNP experienced a significant setback, securing only nine seats compared to 48 in 2019.
In his first speech as Prime Minister, Starmer emphasized the urgency of his agenda, stating, “Our work is urgent – and we begin it today,” to enthusiastic applause from his supporters. This followed his formal invitation to form a government after meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace.
Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak, in his resignation speech outside No. 10, acknowledged the voters’ dissatisfaction. “I have heard your anger,” he said, marking the end of 14 years of Conservative governance. The Labour victory was unequivocal, whereas the Conservative campaign was marked by a series of failures, leading to a near-irrelevance in the current political landscape.
The Conservative Party faced a devastating night as key figures, including Penny Mordaunt, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Robert Buckland, and Alex Chalk, lost their seats. Outgoing Chancellor Jeremy Hunt narrowly retained his position. “I’m sorry,” Sunak told activists and voters, reflecting the party’s deep losses.
In a farewell tweet to Sunak, Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude for his leadership and contributions to UK-India relations, wishing him and his family well for the future. This election marks a significant moment in UK politics, setting the stage for a new era under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Significant Gains for British-Indian Community in 2024 UK Elections
The British-Indian community has reasons to celebrate their enhanced representation and influence in the new government. A remarkable success for British-Indian candidates in the 2024 UK general elections, with 26 individuals of Indian origin winning seats across both the Labour and Conservative parties. This impressive turnout highlights the growing influence of the British-Indian community in UK politics, reported India Today.
A total of 107 British-Indian candidates contested the elections, a record number, reflecting the community’s increasing political engagement. The previous House of Commons had 15 MPs of Indian origin, and this election has nearly doubled their representation.
Among the notable outcomes, outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak managed to retain his seat despite the Conservative Party’s significant losses. Additionally, Kanishka Narayan made history by becoming the first MP from a minority ethnic background to represent Wales.
