Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer was officially sworn in as the British Prime Minister, following his party’s landslide victory in the general elections. The transfer of power took place after a private ceremony with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, shortly after former Conservative leader Rishi Sunak and his family left the official residence at 10 Downing Street.
In his farewell address, Sunak expressed gratitude for having served as Prime Minister and referred to the election results as a “sobering verdict.” With almost all the results in, Labour had secured 410 seats in the House of Commons, while the Conservatives won 118 seats. Starmer acknowledged the responsibility that comes with such a mandate and promised to regain people’s trust after years of disillusionment.
However, Starmer’s triumph does not come without challenges. He must now lead an electorate eager for change amidst economic struggles, eroding trust in institutions, and societal divisions. The voters’ desire for a seismic shift was evident, with many hoping that Starmer’s leadership would bring about significant changes.
Anand Menon, a professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King’s College London, predicts a shift towards more stable government in the coming years. He believes ministers will remain in power for extended periods, allowing for long-term planning and medium-term objectives to be addressed.
The United Kingdom has faced a series of turbulent years, including Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These events have left many citizens pessimistic about the country’s future. In addition, scandals involving former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his staff have fueled public anger. Issues such as rising poverty, crumbling infrastructure, and an overstretched National Health Service have led to widespread dissatisfaction and a perception of a “Broken Britain.”
The Conservative Party suffered a historic defeat in the elections, with the smallest number of seats in their two-century history. This result reflects voters’ discontent with 14 years of austerity, Brexit, political scandals, and internal conflicts within the party. The defeat also triggered an immediate contest to replace Sunak as the Conservative leader.
The incoming Parliament will be more fragmented and ideologically diverse than in previous years. Smaller parties, such as the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK, gained significant support. The Scottish National Party, which held most of Scotland’s seats before the election, faced substantial losses to Labour.
Labour’s cautious and reliable campaign resonated with voters. While their pledges to revive the economy, invest in infrastructure, and promote clean energy may not have been groundbreaking, they garnered support from the business community and even conservative newspapers. The Rupert Murdoch-owned Sun tabloid praised Starmer for bringing the party back to the center ground of British politics.
On the other hand, the Conservative campaign was marred by missteps and gaffes. From a rainy campaign announcement outside 10 Downing Street to an early departure from commemorations in France, Sunak’s campaign struggled to gain momentum. Several individuals close to Sunak are also under investigation for potentially using insider information for election betting.
The election results indicate that the British public was seeking change. Traditional Conservative strongholds, such as Henley-on-Thames, shifted their support to the Liberal Democrats. However, whoever assumes power faces a daunting task ahead, as the nation grapples with complex challenges that will not be easily overcome.
