"I am sorry" : Rishi Sunak apologises after election defeat

Rishi Sunak has accepted responsibility for the Conservative Party’s crushing defeat as he delivers a sombre speech on his way out of Downing Street.

His final prime ministerial speech comes 44 days after he called a general election on the same spot in the pouring rain with Labour’s 1997 election anthem blaring in the background.

Speaking outside No 10, the outgoing prime minister said: “To the country, I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry.”

Sunak will hand over power to Sir Keir Starmer today after Labour emerged from yesterday’s polls with one of the biggest Commons majorities in history.

Earlier this morning, the Labour leader delivered his victory speech to rapturous applause declaring: “We did it! You campaigned for it, you fought for it, you voted for it, and now it has arrived.”

Labour Party has won 412 seats, representing a majority of around 170, with the last few results still to come in.

In contrast, the Conservatives have gained just 121 seats so far, down from 365 five years ago. Liz Truss, Penny Mordaunt, Grant Shapps and Jacob Rees-Mogg are among a host of senior Tories to have lost their seats.

The Liberal Democrats have won 71 seats, with Reform UK on 4, the Green Party on 4, the SNP on 9 and Plaid Cymru on 4. Elsewhere Nigel Farage has been elected in Clacton, winning a parliamentary seat at his eighth attempt.

Source : Independent