Journalism of Courage
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, who became the new Prime Minister of UK on Friday, thanked the British people and said the country has to "return politics to public service". He also said the people are ready for change and ending the politics of performance.(AP)
The Conservative Party, led by Rishi Sunak, was in power since 2010, and saw a devastating defeat in this year's general elections. With Starmer poised to take over as UK's Prime Minister, several challenges await him. (Reuters)
Starmer, 61, in his victory speech after winning from Holborn and St Pancras said, "The change begins right here because this is your democracy, your community, your future. You have voted. It's now time for us to deliver."(Reuters)
Starmer has been the Leader of Opposition in the UK Parliament for the last four years and mainly led the social democratic party from the left towards the political middle ground. He is credited with reviving the Labour Party after its worst election defeat since the 1930s. (AP)
The 2024 elections have also seen the lowest turnout in 20 years, possibly the lowest ever, at a touch below 60%. This means that effectively, Labour’s 33.9% voteshare roughly translates to support from one in five people in the electorate. (AP)
In one of the biggest setbacks to the Conservatives, former Prime Minister Liz Truss lost from the party bastion South West Norfolk — a seat she has held since 2010. (AP)
After seven unsuccessful attempts, Nigel Farage won in Westminster, marking a notable achievement for his Reform UK party. Farage, the face of Euroscepticism in the UK, campaigned for Brexit as the leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and later led the Brexit Party before founding Reform UK. Farage has oscillated between politics and media roles and has been associated with various political parties. (Reuters)
As many as 10 members — the highest number so far — of the Sikh community were elected to the parliament. All the 10 newly-elected Sikh MPs, including five women and five men, belong to the Labour Party. (Express)
Labour has secured victory in 410 constituencies, earning a 33.9% share of the vote, according to results from 641 constituencies declared so far, The Guardian reported. Meanwhile, the Conservatives have won 119 seats, garnering 23.7% of the vote. (AP)
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar waves along with members of the Labour party, as the counting of votes continues, during the UK election in Glasgow, Scotland. (Reuters)
