MOVING DAY
Removal van arrives at Downing Street as Rishi Sunak is booted out following election loss for Tories
The former PM yesterday addressed the nation in an emotional speech
A REMOVAL van has been spotted outside No 10 this morning after a seismic election night and landslide loss for the Tories.
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak yesterday bid farewell to the nation - dubbing the UK the "best country in the world".
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He was speaking after Labour won 412 seats in the General Election - wiping out Tory big beasts like Liz Truss, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Grant Shapps and Penny Mordaunt.
And this morning a yellow removal van that reads 'Bishop's Move' has been seen parked outside No 10.
Flat boxes could be seen in the back of the empty van, while men could be seen carrying furniture and getting to work.
At one point, a harp was seen being wheeled along Downing Street.
Newly elected PM Sir Keir Starmer beamed as he addressed Brits from Downing Street around midday on Friday, before naming his Cabinet.
After a historic election night:
- Keir Starmer has become Britain's next Prime Minister after Labour got 412 seats amid a brutal Tory wipeout
- He promised to lead a Labour party grounded in “public service” in his first speech as PM in front of a jubilant crowd at No 10.
- Rishi Sunak admitted defeat earlier on the steps of Downing Street and apologised to the nation for his party’s failures.
- Tory big beasts including former PM Liz Truss and ex-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps have lost seats after a nightmare night for Conservatives.
- He was followed by Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt, one of eight Cabinet ministers have lost their seats
- Nigel Farage’s Reform party claimed an unprecedented four seats as they grabbed votes from the Tories.
- Tory defector Lee Anderson claimed the first Reform seat, followed by Farage, Richard Tice, and Rupert Lowe.
- Sir Keir's predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, now standing as an independent, also held onto Islington North
- All eyes are now on our new PM with Piers Morgan telling our Never Mind The Ballots election show that Sir Keir MUST deliver real change after the Tory disaster
His MPs smiled at cameras as they made their way into No 10 to be handed their new roles.
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But just hours earlier Rishi had stood on the same street and given an emotional speech to the nation.
The Sun’s election results special with Harry Cole as we analyse the night’s biggest stories
In an emotional speech as he stood on Downing Steet, the former PM paid tribute to his wife and daughters.
The outgoing premier said he had given the job "my all" but admitted voters had sent "a clear signal the government must change."
In a stoic exit following election defeat, he said: "This is a difficult day at the end of a number of difficult days. But I leave this job honoured to have been your Prime Minister."
He added: "Most of all, I'd like to express my gratitude to my wife and our beautiful daughters.
"I can never thank them enough for the sacrifices they have made, so that I might serve our country.
"One of the most remarkable things about Britain is just how unremarkable it is.
"Two generations after my grandparents came here with little, I could become prime minister.
"And then I could watch my two young daughters like Diwali candles on the steps in Downing Street."
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Rishi also shared a snap of him and his wife Akshata walking hand-in-hand out of Downing Street on his Instagram page.
He said: "I have given this job my all. But you have sent a clear message, and yours is the only judgement that matters.
"This is a difficult day, but I leave this job honoured to have been Prime Minister of the best country in the world."
Mr Sunak brought the curtain down on 14 years of Tory rule, but confirmed he would stay on as leader while his successor is chosen.
He met King Charles to formally resign after crashing to a disastrous defeat to Labour.
Speaking outside Downing Street with his wife Akshata, Mr Sunak said: "I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry. I have given this job my all.
"But you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change.
"And yours is the only judgement that matters. I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss.
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"To all the Conservative candidates and campaigners who worked tirelessly, but without success, I'm sorry that we could not deliver what your efforts deserved.
"It pains me to think how many good colleagues who contributed so much to their communities and our country will now no longer sit in the House of Commons. I thank them for their hard work and their service."
Britain is open for business - Starmer
By Ryan Sabey & Harry Cole
Jubilant Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria walked into their new home at No 10 for the first time yesterday — after promising to tear up planning regulations and rebuild Britain.
The triumphant Labour leader entered Downing Street after making a seven-minute address to the nation.
He will declare Britain open for business with a bonfire of planning regulations and a global investment drive to rebuild the nation.
And he will launch his premiership with an international diplomacy push next week and a plea to business to back UK Plc.
It will come ahead a series of policies in Labour’s first King’s Speech on July 17 — all aimed at kick-starting growth, in a bid to avoid painful spending cuts.
But Sir Keir will first hit the world stage at Nato next Tuesday before hosting all European leaders in Britain for a major summit the following week.
Labour’s plan to “hit the ground running” will be heavily focused on the planning system, which is seen as being vital to building more homes.
Sir Keir and Lady Starmer were greeted by delighted supporters as they walked into Downing Street following Labour’s landslide victory at the polls.
The couple were both seen embracing Victoria’s dad Bernard Alexander as they entered their new home.
Sir Keir used his speech in Downing Street yesterday to vow to get Brits on to the housing ladder for a better start in life. He promised that the infrastructure of the country will be built “brick by brick” as young people look for homes they can afford.
She said: “We sought a mandate at this election to grow the economy, and that is what we’re going to get started on doing.
“Reform of our planning system is clearly essential to build the housing we need, the transport infrastructure, the energy infrastructure.”
Ms Reeves set herself a high bar for office, telling officials: “I will judge my time in office a success if I know that, at the end of it, there are working-class kids from ordinary backgrounds living richer lives, their horizons expanded, and their potential realised.”
The new PM will also use his role to strengthen the Union as he embarks on a visit to the four home nations in the coming days.
This is set to include a trip to Scotland to outline his domestic policy priorities.
The timing of the election result will play into Sir Keir’s hands as he is thrust onto the world stage within days — heading to the Nato summit in Washington DC.
It will be the first chance to formally unveil the new PM and meet leaders such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the event.
The meeting should also allow him to hold talks with US President Joe Biden and the trip would provide an opportunity to visit the White House.
After his return to Britain later this week, attention will turn to the King’s Speech on July 17, which will feature the Government’s legislative programme.
Measures included will be to bolster house-building, workers’ rights, legislation to nationalise the railways and establish the state-owned GB Energy in a push for more home-grown clean power, including off-shore wind.
Then, the following day, he will host the European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace, in Oxfordshire.
Fifty leaders from across the continent will come together to try to deal with the challenge of the Ukraine war and illegal migration routes.
Sir Keir will hold his first Cabinet meeting today, where he will outline his vision about his mission for national renewal.
The Labour leader formally knew he was going to be the next PM when Rishi Sunak made a telephone call to concede defeat.
It is understood they had a short and respectful conversation as Sir Keir sat in the back of his chauffeur-driven Range Rover.
He was then ushered into the Tate Modern on the south bank of the River Thames before heading to Downing Street.
Yesterday, the new PM made Partygate inquisitor Sue Gray his Chief of Staff and election chief Morgan McSweeney his Director of Strategy.
He took congratulatory phone calls from world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, who said: “We will continue the work begun with the UK for our bilateral co-operation, for peace and security in Europe, for the climate and for AI.”
Ukraine’s Mr Zelensky described the UK as “reliable allies through thick and thin” wishing the incoming government “every success”.