London [UK], July 5 (ANI): UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, candidate for the Conservative Party in the country’s snap polls on Friday conceded defeat and declared that the “Labour Party has won” the general election, CNN reported.
“The Labour Party has won this general election,” Sunak said, adding that he called up Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.
“The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight,” Sunak said from his constituency of Richmond and Northallerton in northern England which he won.
The outgoing British Prime Minister took 47.5 per cent of the vote in his constituency.
Conceding the Labour Party’s win, Sunak apologised and said that he feels responsible for the loss.
“I take responsibility for the loss to the many good, hard-working, conservative candidates who lost tonight despite their tireless efforts, their local records of delivery and their dedication to their communities, I am sorry,” Sunak said.
“Today power will change hands in an orderly and peaceful manner, with goodwill on all sides” he said.
In late May this year, Sunak has called for a snap vote, which came as a surprise for many in his party.
“I will now head down to London, where I will say more about tonight’s result before I leave the job of Prime Minister, to which I have given my all…” he said.

Since Boris Johnson easily won the most recent general election in 2019, Britain has had three prime ministers from the Conservative party.
However, a large portion of the nation and his party lost interest in Johnson, and in 2022, members of the Conservative party chose Liz Truss to succeed him as prime minister, making her the shortest-serving Prime Minister in British history, CNN reported.
Then, Sunak was chosen by Conservative Members of Parliament (MPs) to succeed her.
He was UK’s first Indian-origin Prime Minister.
It is pertinent to note that centre-left Labour Party’s landslide win ends a 14-year reign of the Conservative Party and positions Labour leader Keir Starmer to assume the role of prime minister imminently.
Starmer, a former barrister who entered Parliament in 2015 and assumed Labour leadership in 2020, has steered his party towards the political center.
His platform emphasizes revitalizing public services while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Regarding foreign policy, particularly Britain’s stance towards Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, no significant shifts are expected with Starmer’s ascension. He has committed to maintaining Britain’s supportive stance towards Kyiv, according to CNN.
Additionally, Starmer has called for a ceasefire in Gaza amid Israel’s conflict with Hamas, coupled with efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by the terrorist group. (ANI)

“I take responsibility for loss…”: Rishi Sunak in his final speech as PM after defeat in UK polls

United Kingdom’s outgoing Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak on Friday apologised to the country after the Conservative Party’s drubbing in the general election, its worst-ever in recent times and accepted blame for the defeat.
Sunak in his last speech to the nation as Prime Minister from outside 10 Downing Street said, “To the country, I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry. I have given this job my all but you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change and yours is the only judgement that matters. I take responsibility for this loss…Following this result, I will step down as party leader…”
The 44-year-old leader said that he will step down as leader of the Conservative party which suffered a landslide loss in the election.
“Following this result, I will step down as party leader,” he said, a move that is set to trigger a contest for the next Conservative leader.
Labour Party won the UK general as per results declared from almost all the parliamentary seats. Keir Starmer will be the next prime minister and is due to meet the king shortly where he’ll be invited to form a government.
The Conservative Party lost more than 250 seats and now faces life in opposition.
“…This is a difficult day at the end of a number of difficult days. This is the best country in the world and it is thanks entirely to you, the British people,” said Sunak.
In his farewell speech as PM, Sunak wished the “decent public spirited man” Starmer. “Whilst he has been my political opponent, Keir Starmer, will shortly become our prime minister. In this job, his successes will be all our successes, and I wish him and his family well. Whatever our disagreements in this campaign, He is a decent, public spirited man who I respect,” said Sunak.
The outgoing PM said he had heard the “anger” of British voters, who delivered his Conservative Party its worst-ever defeat, and apologized to the candidates who had lost their seats.
“To all the conservative candidates and campaigners who worked tirelessly, but without success, I am sorry that we could not deliver what your efforts deserved. It pains me to think how many good colleagues who contributed so much to their communities and our country will now no longer sit in the House of Commons. I thank them for their hard work and their service,” said Sunak.
Reflecting on his 21-month premiership, Sunak said he had “returned stability to our economy” and rebuilt Britain’s relations with its allies.
“I have given this job my all. But you have sent a clear message, and yours is the only judgement that matters. This is a difficult day, but I leave this job honoured to have been Prime Minister of the best country in the world,” said Sunak.
He singled out a major deal he struck to normalize relations between the UK and European Union in the wake of Brexit – a policy he championed – as another of his achievements.
“When I first stood here as your prime minister, I told you the most important task I had was to return stability to our economy. Inflation is backed to target, mortgage rates are falling and growth has returned. We have enhanced our standing in the world, rebuilding relations with allies, leading global efforts to support Ukraine, and becoming the home of new generation of transformative technologies. And our United Kingdom is stronger too. With the Windsor framework, devolution restored in Northern Ireland, and our union strengthened. I’m proud of those achievements. I believe this country is safer, stronger, and more secure than it was 20 months ago. And it is more prosperous, fairer and resilient than it was in 2010,” said Sunak.
The next step in the handover of power in the UK is Sunak calling on King Charles after which Starmer will be invited to the palace and invited to form the next government. (ANI)