'We did it,' declared Sir Keir Starmer after Labour claimed a resounding victory in the General Election.
With around a 170-seat majority, the landslide isn't as decisive as pollsters were expecting; however, it allows the new administration to push through a legislative agenda focused on housing, education and healthcare unhindered by the opposition.
Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak admitted a defeat for the Conservative party in the early hours of Friday, as he faced up to one of the worst results in electoral history. The Tory vote was impacted by Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
Labour is projected to win 410 out of 650 seats, while the Tories are expected to fall to 1119 seats, according to the latest BBC projections.
Despite this, Labour's victory came with just 34% of the national vote, the lowest winning share ever, and only 10 points ahead of the Conservatives.
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss lost her seat, a symbolic defeat reflecting her brief and turbulent tenure. Starmer, who became Labour leader in 2020, celebrated this win, reminiscent of Tony Blair’s 1997 landslide, but acknowledged the need to reconnect with voters.
Reform UK, splitting the rightwing vote, significantly impacted the Conservative results.
Nigel Farage claimed his party secured a "bridgehead" in parliament.
Voter turnout was around 60%, near a record low, indicating widespread public dissatisfaction with mainstream politics.