UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat to Labour Party leader Keir Starmer as the Conservatives headed towards a historic defeat in the elections. Starmer is on track to become the next UK Prime Minister as trends showed the Labour Party crossing the majority mark in the House of Commons.
Rishi Sunak said the British people had delivered a "sobering verdict" and there was a lot to learn and reflect on.
"The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight... and I take responsibility for the loss," Sunak, the UK's first prime minister of colour, said.
"The Labour Party has won this general election, and I have called Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory," he further said.
While eight Conservative cabinet ministers lost their seats, Sunak held on to his constituency of Richmond and Northallerton in northern England, bagging 47.5% of the votes.
"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," Sunak said.
Rishi Sunak took over as Prime Minister in 2022 after his predecessor, Liz Truss, stepped down after just 45 days in office.
After having ruled for 14 years, the Conservative Party faced headwinds over a host of issues, especially its handling of the economy following a tumultuous exit from the European Union.
A cost of living crisis, with inflation reaching 11.1% in 2022, is believed to have cost the Tories.
The voters were also frustrated by the government's mismanagement of the Covid-19 pandemic and the healthcare system, opinion polls had revealed.
Meanwhile, addressing reporters in central London, Keir Starmer said the task of the incoming Labour government would be "nothing less than renewing the ideas that hold our country together".
"We have to return politics to public service... a burden has finally been removed from the shoulders of this great nation," Starmer said.
