IT'S ALL OVER
I take responsibility, declares Rishi Sunak as he concedes election & reveals he called Keir Starmer to congratulate him
Glum Rishi Sunak told Britain 'I am sorry' as he conceded election defeat to a landslide Labour super-majority
A SOLEMN Rishi Sunak last night said he took responsibility for the Tory party's election drubbing - and revealed he had called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him.
The PM held his seat in Richmond and Northallerton, but said the British people had delivered a "sobering verdict" on his party.
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Sir Keir will become the UK's next prime minister, with Labour storming into Downing Street after securing the required 326 seats.
Speaking at his local polling station, Mr Sunak said: "On this difficult night, I'd like to express my gratitude to the people of the Richmond and Northallerton constituency for your continued support."
He added: "The Labour Party has won this General Election, and I've called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.
"Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner, with goodwill on all sides.
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"That is something that should give us all confidence in our country's stability and future.
"The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight, there is much to learn... and I take responsibility for the loss.
"To the many good, hard-working Conservative candidates who lost tonight, despite their tireless efforts, their local records and delivery, and their dedication to their communities.
"I am sorry."
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Mr Sunak, his wife and their security and entourage left the election count as soon as he had finished making a speech after the result was declared.
It comes as Mr Sunak will reportedly quit as leader of the Conservative Party today after the exit poll predicted a Tory wipeout.
It's a social earthquake for this country & a disaster for Tories, Piers Morgan says
He is expected to announce his resignation this morning, according to sources.
Tim Shipman, chief political commentator for The Sunday Times, told Times Radio it is his understanding the PM will quit today.
But he said Mr Sunak "will stay on until another leader is selected".
On a historic night:
- Keir Starmer will be Britain's next Prime Minister after Labour reached the required 326 seats in a Tory wipeout
- Starmer is expected to meet with King Charles later today
- Sir Keir then told supporters: "We did it!"
- Chancellor Jeremy Hunt narrowly held onto his seat in Godalming and Ash
- But ex-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps became the first Tory big beast to lose out
- He was followed by Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt, one of eight Cabinet ministers have lost their seats
- Tory defector Lee Anderson claimed the first Reform seat
- He was followed by Nigel Farage, who has become an MP for the first time at the eighth attempt
- Mr Farage warned Labour "will be in trouble very, very quickly"
- Sir Keir's predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, now standing as an independent, also held onto Islington North
- Piers Morgan told our Never Mind The Ballots election show that Sir Keir MUST deliver after the Tory disaster
He added: "In practice this means holding the fort in parliament for three weeks before the recess."
Elsewhere, Nigel Farage has become an MP for the first time, at the eighth attempt, by winning Clacton-on-Sea - one of four seats bagged by Reform UK so far.
But the party has so far fallen short of the 13 predicted in the exit poll.
A desperately disappointing night for the Tories culminated in a number of party big beasts losing their seats, including a record-breaking nine Cabinet ministers.
Ex-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt, both of whom were expected to throw their hats in the ring for party leadership, lost their respective seats.
Mr Sunak held onto his own, but conceded defeat and revealed he had called Sir Keir "to congratulate him".
The Tories were also wiped out in Wales, while in Scotland Labour were rampant.
Sir Keir, meanwhile, declared "we did it" and urged "change begins now" as he gave a victory speech in London.
Speaking to rapturous applause from supporters, Sir Keir said the UK was waking up to “the sunlight of hope".
He added: "Thank you truly - you have changed our country! But a mandate like this comes with great responsibility. Our task is… national renewal."
Sir Keir added: “We have to restore politics to public service. Service is the precondition for hope, respect the bonds that can unite a country.”
To loud cheers from the crowd, he added: “Country first party second."
His speech came after Rishi Sunak held onto his seat of Richmond and Northallerton.
Moments earlier, speaking at his count in Yorkshire, the PM admitted power would "change hands" later on today.
He said: "The Labour Party has won this general election. And I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.
"Today power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner with goodwill on all sides. That is something that should give us all confidence in our country’s stability, and future.
"The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight. There is much to learn and reflect on and I take responsibility for the loss."
He added: "I will now head down to London where I will say more about tonight’s results. Before I leave the job as prime minister, to which I have given my all.
"I will then return here to my family’s home, and I look forward to spending more time with you all. In the weeks, months and years ahead."
BRITAIN WILL WAKE UP TO A POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE
By Kate Ferguson, Political Editor Sun on Sunday
BRITAIN will wake up to a political earthquake.
If the exit poll is right, Labour have stormed to victory with their biggest majority in their 100 year history.
It is a jaw-dropping turnaround from the dark days of the Jeremy Corbyn era of 209, when the party suffered their worst result in history.
The Tories look set to be decimated. The most successful political party in Europe has been reduced to just a rump of 131 MPs.
Be in no doubt - this is a nightmare for the Conservative Party. They now face the painful task of having to rebuild and choose a new leader.
But the big story of the night is Nigel Farage's Reform party, who are expected to win a staggering 13 seats.
This political maverick has lobbed a grenade into Westminster - and he is only just getting started.
Reform is expected to win the key seat of Hartlepool - the Red Wall seat in Labour’s old heartlands which turned Tory under Boris Johnson.
Nigel, 60, the godfather of Brexit, is a charismatic leader well trained in waging war on 'political elites' from his days in the European Parliament.
He had run and failed to become an MP seven times before.
He has finally won on the eighth attempt - and looks set to have a dozen Reform MPs with him.
He has the potential to change the face of politics forever.
Sir Keir Starmer and the next leader of the Tories - whoever that may be - should brace themselves.
Ms Phillipson, who will now expect to be in Sir Keir's first Cabinet, said: "Tonight the British people have spoken and if the exit poll this evening is again a guide to results across our country - as it so often is - then after 14 years the British people have chosen change.
"They have chosen Labour and they have chosen the leadership of Keir Starmer.
"Today our country with its proud history has chosen a brighter future."
Reform also outperformed the Conservatives in Blyth and Ashington, which was also held by Labour.
The Liberal Democrats are forecast to win 61 seats, Reform UK on 13 and the Green Party two.
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In Scotland, the SNP are expected to secure 10 seats with Plaid Cymru in Wales on four.
The poll for broadcasters involved more than 20,000 voters at 133 polling stations.
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