Landslide victory for Labour, a first in 14 years

The Labour Party won a landslide victory in the UK general election on Thursday, ending 14 years of Conservative rule and opening the doors of Downing Street to their leader Keir Starmer, according to an exit poll.

410 seats out of 650

The results are expected to come in throughout the night, but exit polls released as polls closed leave little doubt about the outcome of this vote, which opens a new chapter in the country’s political history.

According to these projections by British television, Labour would win 410 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons.

While this is slightly less than Tony Blair’s landslide in 1997 (418), it is well ahead of the Conservative party of outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, disowned by voters with only 131 MPs elected. This is far from the 365 Tory MPs elected five years ago and the worst result for the party since the beginning of the 20th century.

The Liberal Democrats (centrists) would be strengthened with 61 MPs, but the surprise of the vote comes mainly from the anti-immigration and anti-system party Reform UK: it would win 13 seats, a much more resounding entry than expected for the party of the hard-right figure Nigel Farage.

” THANKS “

With the far right likely to gain power in France and Donald Trump looking set to return to the White House, the British overwhelmingly chose a moderate centre-left leader.

Keir Starmer, a 61-year-old former human rights lawyer, is due to be tasked by King Charles III on Friday with forming a new government.

“To everyone who campaigned for Labour in this election, to everyone who voted for us and trusted our new Labour Party, thank you,” Keir Starmer soberly responded on X.

Just nine years into politics and four years into Labour’s leadership, he will face a considerable appetite for change.

As polls predicted throughout the campaign, the Conservatives are being punished after 14 turbulent years that have left Britons feeling in decline.

Brexit has torn the country apart and failed to deliver on its supporters’ promises. The price hikes of the last two years have left families impoverished, with more than ever relying on food banks for food.