Conservatives face defeat after 14 years

LONDON: The Labour Party has won the election in the UK, bringing to an end the 14-year-long rule of the Conservatives, it emerged as counting of votes still continued.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak accepted defeat after results showed his party losing while Keir Starmer is set to become Britain’s next prime minister, according to exit poll.

The exit poll showed Labour Party set to grab 401 seats, Conservatives 163, Labour Democrats 50, Scottish National Party eight and Reforms UK four seats.

The voting continued till 10pm local time on Thursday without any interruption and voters inside polling stations at the fixed time were also allowed to cast their votes. Official results are expected in the early hours of Friday.

According to the reports, with the registration of new voters, there was an addition of 10 seats taking the total number in the parliament to 543.

The Tories have been in power for about 14 years and the prime minister Rishi Sunak announced early polls claiming his government’s success in checking inflation and other measures.

Reuters adds: As the overall result is now clear, Sunak is expected to tender his resignation to King Charles on Friday.

Starmer, as the leader of the winning party, will then meet the king, who will request him to form a government.

Starmer will then head to 10 Downing Street to speak to the British public as the new prime minister.

The new prime minister will begin appointing ministers, starting with senior positions.

Parliament is scheduled to return on July 9.

Each MP will then in turn swear the oath of allegiance to the King or make a solemn affirmation. This usually takes a few days.

The State Opening of Parliament and King’s Speech, setting out a government’s programme of legislation for the parliamentary session, is due to take place on July 17, although this date could be changed by a new government.