The Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, has secured an outright majority in the lower house of the British parliament, according to a tally by broadcaster Sky News.
Sky News reported on Friday that with 467 of the parliament’s 650 seats declared, Labour had won 326 seats.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat in the general election minutes before any media outlet confirmed that Labour had reached the 326-seat threshold.
An exit poll commissioned by the BBC, ITV, and Sky News had earlier forecast a landslide win for Labour with 410 seats, while the Conservatives were projected to secure only 131 seats.
“The Labour Party has won this general election, and I’ve called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory,” Sunak said. “The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight. There is much to learn, and I take responsibility for the loss.”
Sunak is expected to announce his resignation soon to pave the way for Starmer to take over as Britain’s new prime minister after meeting King Charles III.
“We did it. You campaigned for it, you fought for it, and now it has arrived,” Starmer addressed crowds in central London after the Labour majority was confirmed. “Change begins now.”
The British people “had to look us in the eye and see that we can serve their interests, and that doesn’t stop now,” he said.
“I don’t promise you it will be easy,” he added. “But even when the going gets tough, it will be remembered tonight and always what this is all about.”
