General Election results LIVE: Sir Keir Starmer says 'change begins immediately' in first No 10 speech as Prime Minister

Sir Keir Starmer has addressed the nation from Downing Street after being made Prime Minister by the King following Labour’s stunning election victory.

The Labour leader was cheered by supporters as he arrived at Number 10 from Buckingham Palace after Rishi Sunak earlier resigned.

In his first speech as the UK’s new leader he said: “The work of change begins immediately, but have no doubt, we will rebuild Britain.”

He concluded by saying: “Our work is urgent and we begin it today.”

Sir Keir was swept to power by a landslide Labour victory with bitter recriminations set to begin in the Tory ranks.Mr Sunak earlier apologised to the nation earlier in a speech from Downing Street and announced he will quit as leader of the Conservatives.

Speaking outside No. 10, Mr Sunak addressed the nation saying "I am sorry", adding: "I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility".

Mr Sunak’s term as Prime Minister ended in electoral disaster, with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK establishing a foothold in Parliament and the Liberal Democrats making significant gains. The Conservatives were also wiped out of Inner London as Greg Hands sensationally lost Chelsea and Fulham to Labour.

See all the London results here.

The Standard is bringing you all the major election day news as it happens...

Key developments:

• Labour wins landslide as Keir Starmer becomes PM

• Rishi Sunak concedes defeat and says: 'I'm sorry'

• Former PM Liz Truss loses seat in shock upset

• Jeremy Corbyn wins in Islington North

• Lib Dems win 'highest number of MPs in its history'

• London goes red as Tories reduced to just 9 MPs in capital

Sinn Fein says election result creates 'opportunity to improve Britain-Ireland relations'

14:05 , Sami Quadri

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald has said the General Election result creates “a major opportunity to improve relations between Britain and Ireland”.

She said: “Sinn Fein is determined to build a constructive relationship with the new Labour government.

“We look forward to working positively with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the many shared priorities for Ireland and Britain during this historic time of renewal.

“After 14 years of Tory rule, marked by dysfunction and chaos, they crudely undermined the Good Friday Agreement during Brexit, harming citizens and communities.

“They also abandoned co-operation with Dublin, causing significant damage.”

She added: “The new Labour government now has a huge opportunity to reset relations with the Irish Government and the power-sharing (Stormont) Executive, where First Minister Michelle O’Neill will work to restore effective co-operation.

“We expect the new Prime Minister to uphold the Good Friday Agreement, which Labour helped deliver, ensuring its political, legal and constitutional guarantees are respected. This includes respecting all our national identities, political allegiances and working together to defend peace and build on reconciliation efforts.

“The British Government must embrace principles of rigorous impartiality and the right to self-determination and constitutional change toward Irish reunification.”

Deaf charity hits out lack of BSL interpreter at Starmer speech

14:03

Sir Keir has been accused of excluding the Deaf community by not having a BSL interpreter for his address.

According to the hearing charity RNID, government officials have pledged to have British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters on hand for big announcements from spring 2024.

But there was no interpreter in sight during Mr Starmer's speech outside 10 Downing Street.

There was a BSL interpreter on the BBC News channel's coverage of the speech.

Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer and wife Victoria welcomed to Downing Street

13:10

Starmer ends speech: 'Our work is urgent and begins today'

12:56 , Josh Salisbury

Sir Keir finishes by the work of change is “urgent and we begin it today.”

“With respect and humility, I invite you all to join this Government of service, in the mission of national renewal,” he says. “Our work is urgent and we begin it today.”

Crowds of supporters marked the end of the historic speech by cheering and applauding, with Sir Keir also taking the opportunity to embrace those gathered outside.

The Labour leader then poses for a photo outside the famous black door with his wife Victoria.

Starmer: The work of change begins immediately

12:51 , Josh Salisbury

Sir Keir continues by warning that the world is a more volatile place, and that change will take time.

“But have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately,” he says.

“Have no doubt that we will rebuild Britain. With wealth created in every community, our NHS back on its feet facing the future, secure borders, safer streets, everyone treated with dignity and respect at work.”

He adds: “If I ask you now whether you believe Britain will be better for your children, I know too many of you will say no. And so my Government will fight every day until you believe again.”

Keir Starmer begins historic first address to nation as PM

12:46 , Josh Salisbury

Sir Keir has begun his speech by thanking Rishi Sunak, noting his achievement as the first British Asian PM of the UK.

However, he says: “But now our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal, and a return of politics to public service.”

He says the politics of the past few years has drained away the public’s hopes, and that the lack of trust can only be healed with action.

“Your government should treat every single person with respect,” he says, vowing the govern for the country as a whole.

PM Starmer greets supporters to loud cheers outside No10

12:43

Sir Keir was greeted with loud cheers as his car arrived in Downing Street.

The Labour leader strolled along Downing Street with his wife Victoria, thanking supporters, who were waving union flags, in an echo of Blair’s famous 1997 entry into No10.

He looks elated - and because he’s greeting so many supporters, it’s actually taking him quite a long time to get to the lectern for his speech.

Sir Keir to give Downing St speech imminently

12:28 , Josh Salisbury

The new PM Sir Keir Starmer has arrived at his new home of No10 Downing Street, where he will greet waiting crowds and address the nation.

The lectern for the speech is now outside the famous black door - and luckily for Sir Keir, the sun has come out for the occasion.

However, the Labour leader has not stopped at the end of Downing St.

Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer becomes Prime Minister

12:21 , Josh Salisbury

A picture of the historic moment when Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was invited to form the next Government by King Charles has been released by the Palace.

Sir Keir is expected to give a speech outside Downing Street shortly.

Crowds await Sir Keir's arrival at No10

12:19

There’s a distinctly Blair 1997 set-up to the arrangements outside Downing Street as crowds await Sir Keir’s arrival as PM.

The crowds have been handed Union flags to mark the occasion in an echo of Mr Blair’s arrival into No10 three decades ago.

Keir Starmer arrives at Buckingham Palace

12:01 , Josh Salisbury

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has arrived at Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles.

There he will be formally invited to form a government and become Prime Minister.

We’re then expecting a first speech as PM to the nation outside No10 Downing St.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown congratulates Sir Keir Starmer

11:37

Sunak has 'tendered resignation' to the King

11:32 , Sami Quadri

Rishi Sunak has formally stepped down from his role as prime minister. This morning, he met with King Charles at Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation. The Palace subsequently released an official statement confirming the event:

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "The Right Honourable Rishi Sunak MP had an audience of the King this morning and tendered his resignation as prime minister and first lord of the Treasury, which His Majesty was graciously pleased to accept."

Sunak cracks joke about dietary habits with King Charles' private secretary

11:28 , Sami Quadri

Upon his arrival at Buckingham Palace shortly after 10:50am, Rishi Sunak exchanged a few words with Sir Clive Alderton, King Charles' principal private secretary. Mr Sunak appeared to joke about his dietary habits on the campaign trail, telling the royal aide: "I've been eating plenty of sandwiches on the road."

As per tradition, Mr Sunak's wife is expected to join him and the King at Buckingham Palace towards the conclusion of the audience.

Pictured: Sunak at Buckingham Palace

11:14 , Josh Salisbury

We are now getting pictures of Rishi Sunak at Buckingham Palace tendering his resignation.

The meeting between King Charles and the outgoing PM will however be held privately.

Sunak arrives at Buckingham Palace to tender resignation

10:59 , Josh Salisbury

Rishi Sunak has now arrived at Buckingham Palace to formally tender his resignation to the King.

Mr Sunak was joined by his wife Akshata Murty and was greeted at the King's door by Sir Clive Alderton, principal private secretary to the King and Queen, and the King's equerry Commander William Thornton, Royal Navy.

He is expected to leave privately and unseen with his family after the audience with King Charles.

Sunak ends speech: 'I am honoured to have been your PM'

10:52 , Josh Salisbury

Flanked by his wife Akshata Murty, Mr Sunak ends by striking a personal note, thanking his family for their support.

He says: “One of the most remarkable things about Britain is just how unremarkable it is that just two generations after my grandparents came here with little, I could become Prime Minister.

“And that I could watch my two young daughters light Diwali candles on the steps in Downing Street. We must hold true to that idea of who we are ... that vision of kindess, decency and tolerance that has always been the British way.

“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.”

Sunak wishes Keir Starmer well in role as PM

10:46 , Josh Salisbury

Continuing his speech, Mr Sunak wishes Sir Keir Starmer well as he becomes the new Prime Minister.

“Sir Keir Starmer will shortly become our Prime Minister. In this job, his successes will be all of our successes, and I wish him and his family well,” he says.

“Whatever our disagreements ... he is a decent, public-spirited man who I respect.”

Sunak resigns: 'I am sorry'

10:43

Rishi Sunak has begun his resignation speech by saying he is “sorry” and that he has “given this job my all”.

He confirms he will not stand down as party leader immediately, but after an election for a successor has taken place.

He says: “I have heard your anger, your disappointment and I take responsibility for this loss.”

He also apologises to Conservative candidates who have lost their seats and thanks them for their work.

Rishi Sunak prepares to give final speech outside Downing Street

10:24

We are expecting Rishi Sunak to come outside No10 Downing Street for his final speech as Prime Minister in the next few minutes.

A lectern has just appeared, with Mr Sunak due to make an appearance by 10.30am.

Stand by and we will bring you what the outgoing PM says.

Labour gain Poole from Tories with razor-thin majority

10:10

Labour has gained Poole in Dorset from the Conservatives by a razor-thin 18 votes.

Its candidate Neil Duncan-Jordan overturned a majority of 18,608 to win the result.

There are now only three seats left to declare nationally.

As things stand, Labour has 412 seats out of 650 seats, and the Conservatives just 120.

This means on percentage terms of seats at least, Labour’s performance is close to that of Blair in 1997, who won 418 seats out of the-then total of 659 seats.

Jeremy Hunt leaves Downing Street for last time

09:36 , Josh Salisbury

Outgoing Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has left No11 Downing Street for the last time.

Mr Hunt clung onto his seat in Godalming and Ash by 891 votes, and so avoided being the first sitting Chancellor to be ousted in a General Election.

Mr Hunt will now be succeeded in the powerful role by Labour’s Rachel Reeves - who will be the country’s first-ever woman Chancellor.

Sunak pictured leaving Conservative HQ after bruising loss

09:19 , Josh Salisbury

Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been pictured looking somewhat forlorn as he leaves Conservative Party HQ in Westminster.

Mr Sunak is expected to make a statement at 10.30am before going to Buckingham Palace to hand in his resignation as PM.

Here's what London's political map now looks like

09:10 , Josh Salisbury

With the narrow Labour victory of just 15 in Hendon declared, all of London’s seats have now chosen their MP.

Here is how the political map of London now looks.

The Conservatives have only nine MPs, which is their worst-ever General Election showing in the capital and matches their poor performance nationwide.

Labour wins final London seat by just 15 votes

08:57 , Josh Salisbury

Labour has won Hendon in north London by just 15 votes - which may well make it the most marginal constituency in the country.

Labour candidate David Pinto-Duschinsky won 15, 855 votes compared to the Conservatives’ 15,840.

It is the final London seat to declare.

Our reporter John Dunne is at the scene, and sends these quotes from Mr Pinto-Duschinsky’s victory message:

“Being elected the member of Parliament for Hendon is the greatest honour of my life

“I ran offering change and as your MP, I will repay that honor and promise to deliver that change.

“I will work hard every day to deliver real help with bills to get our economy growing, to get our local NHS back on its feet and to make our streets safe again.”

Keir Starmer to appoint new Cabinet by end of day

08:34

Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer will appoint his whole Cabinet today, a senior Labour official has said.

Pat McFadden told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Keir Starmer will get on with appointing his Cabinet, which we expect to be done by the end of today.

"Certainly the whole Cabinet. That Cabinet will meet tomorrow. And he will have to quickly allocate those responsibilities, give his new Cabinet their marching orders and then there's big international events coming.”

Timings for rest of the day as Labour wins landslide

08:13 , Josh Salisbury

It is now clear that Labour have won a decisive landslide majority, with 410 total seats and only eight seats left to declare nationally.

Here are some of the key timings we are now expecting as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to form the next Government, Rachael Burford reports:

- The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will make a statement at around 10.30am, before travelling to Buckingham Palace for an audience with the King.

- After this, Labour’s Sir Keir will travel to Buckingham Palace for his own audience with King Charles, where he will be invited to form the next government.

- Sir Keir will then travel to Downing Street, where his first statement as PM is expected at around 12.20pm.

Final London seat goes down to wire as recount underway

07:49 , Josh Salisbury

The final seat to declare in London, Hendon, is down to yet another recount which suggests it could among the most marginal seats in the country.

It is a close contest between Labour’s David Pinto-Duschinsky and the Conservatives’ Ameet Jogia.

The seat was won by the Tories in 2019 with a majority of 4,230.

Our reporter John Dunne is at the count and will give the results as soon as they are declared.

Nationwide, there are only nine seats left to announce.

Truss refuses to say whether she plans to stay in politics after defeat

07:35 , Josh Salisbury

Back now to Liz Truss’ defeat in South West Norfolk - she declined to apologise to voters when asked, and did not say whether she planned to stay in Conservative politics.

Asked the BBC’s Ros Atkins why she thought she had lost, she said the Conservatives “haven’t delivered sufficiently on the policies that people want, and that means keeping taxes low and particularly on reducing immigration.”

When asked if she is part of the problem, having served briefly as PM, she agrees, “I was part of that”.

But she adds: “But during our fourteen years in power unfortunately we did not do enough to take on the legacy we had been left, in particular the human rights’ act has made it difficult for us to deport illegal immigrants and that’s one of the reasons we are in the situation we’re in now.”

Asked if she would like to apologise, she declined to answer and walked away.

Lib Dems have record number of MPs

07:20 , Josh Salisbury

It’s a good day for Labour - but the Lib Dems are also celebrating too.

The party has won 70 MPs so far, the highest number since it was founded.

Lib Dem Leader Sir Ed Davey said: “This is a record-breaking night for the Liberal Democrats. We have swept to victory in seats from Land’s End to John o’ Groats.

"I am humbled by the trust that millions of people across the country have put in us.

"We will now work hard to keep that trust with a focus on the issues that matter most to them, most of all the NHS and care."

Minister who was told of predicted loss live on TV fails to hold seat

07:17 , Josh Salisbury

Tory minister Steve Baker has lost Wycombe to Labour.

Labour’s Emma Reynolds won 16,035 votes to Mr Baker’s 11,444.

Mr Baker was memorably told on the BBC shortly after 10pm that the exit poll predicted a less than one per cent chance of him holding his seat.

Truss leaves swiftly after shock defeat in Norfolk

07:07 , Josh Salisbury

More now on Liz Truss’ shock defeat in South West Norfolk.Labour’s Terry Jermy will now become the MP after ousting Truss who spent just 44 days as Prime Minister.

A crowd at the King's Lynn counting centre began slow hand clapping as seven candidates lined up on the stage for several minutes - without Ms Truss, who took 11,217 votes, appearing.

She arrived on stage before the declaration without a blue rosette.

She quickly left without making a speech.

Uxbridge goes to Labour in narrow victory

07:01

Labour’s Danny Beales has beaten the Conservatives in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, previously the seat of former prime minister Boris Johnson.

As a reminder, Beales narrowly failed to secure the seat at a by-election in 2023 against Steve Tuckwell after Johnson resigned the seat over the Partygate affair.

But he has been successful this time around - although by just 587 votes.

This means of the London seats, there is only Hendon left to declare - which is currently being recounted, which might hint at a close result.

Liz Truss loses seat despite 26,000 majority

06:53 , Josh Salisbury

In perhaps the biggest Conservative name to lose their seat so far, Liz Truss has just lost her seat in Norfolk by just 630 votes.

The former Prime Minister - the UK’s shortest-serving PM - lost Norfolk South West to Labour’s Terry Jermy.

Tories wiped out in inner London as Greg Hands loses Chelsea and Fulham

06:40 , Josh Salisbury

The Conservatives have been wiped out in inner London after Chelsea and Fulham was won by Labour in a very tight race.

Minister for London Greg Hands failed to hold onto the seat, being bested by Labour’s Ben Coleman by just 152 votes.

Transport Secretary loses seat to Labour in upset

06:35 , Josh Salisbury

Transport Secretary Mark Harper has lost his seat to Labour in the Forest of Dean - traditionally one of the safest Tory seats in the country.

He had won the constituency in 2019 with 59.6 per cent of the vote.

Mr Harper joins a list of Tory big names to have been ousted by either Labour or the Lib Dems, which also includes Jacob Rees-Mogg, Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt, and Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.

Ex-London Mayoral candidate wins Brighton as Green MP

06:29 , Josh Salisbury

Former London Assembly member Sian Berry has said she is “floored” as she wins the seat of Brighton Pavilion.

She is now the fourth Green MP to be elected so far.

In her acceptance speech at Portslade Sports Centre, Ms Berry said: "This is such a special place, living and working in this unique city is a joy.

"I can't wait to deliver for you as your MP.

"I am honoured that you are trusting me to continue your strong, independent, Green voice in Parliament."

Down to wire in Uxbridge as recount underway

06:25 , Josh Salisbury

It’s down to the wire in Uxbridge and South Ruislip in west London, where a recount is currently underway.

In a message, Hillingdon Council said: “A recount for Labour and Conservative votes has been called for Uxbridge and South Ruislip. We will update with results as soon as they come in.”

Labour’s Danny Beales is hoping to take the seat from the Conservatives’ Steve Tuckwell in a by-election last year, after former PM Boris Johnson resigned the seat over the Partygate affair.

Mr Beales’ loss in that by-election was attributed by some to be as a result of the controversial expansion of Ulez, with the Conservative candidate opposing the policy.

Liberal Democrats win Boris Johnson's old seat

06:16

The Liberal Democrats have won what would have been Boris Johnson’s old seat.

The party’s Freddie Van Mierlo took Henley and Thame with 23,904 votes compared to the Conservatives’ Caroline Newton with 17,637 votes.

The former PM was MP for Henley - the predecessor seat - from 1997 to 2010. However, the boundaries of the seat have since changed.

6pm update: Labour on 389 seats as Tories still under 100

06:04 , Josh Salisbury

As of 6am, Labour was won 389 seats - well clear of the 326 needed for a majority - and the Conservatives have slumped to just 95 seats.

Meanwhile, the Lib Dems are on 58 seats, and the Scottish National Party has seven seats.

So far, 574 constituency results have been declared.

Ex-Tory Cabinet minister loses seat in North Somerset

05:59 , Josh Salisbury

Labour’s victories in Somerset - where they have just ousted Jacob Rees-Mogg - are continuing, with the party also removing Tory former minister Sir Liam Fox.

Sir Liam, who had held Somerset North since 2010 lost to Labour's Sadik Al-Hassan.

He had been Secretary of State for International Trade in the immediate post-Brexit years of 2016 to 2019.

Historic moment as King Charles wakes up in Labour seat for first time

05:49 , Josh Salisbury

Buckingham Palace is in a Labour constituency for the first time in history this morning as the party secures a landslide, reports Jitendra Joshi.

Amid a historic landslide for Sir Keir Starmer’s party, Labour candidate Rachel Blake took 15,302 votes or 39% of the total for a majority of 2,708 over Conservative Tim Barnes.

The constituency, which encompasses Buckingham Palace and Clarence House, had been held by the Tories since it was created in 1950.

It was won by Nickie Aiken in 2019 with a majority of 3,953. She had been leader of Westminster Council, which was long a flagship Tory town hall.

Read more here.

Labour wins majority of Scottish seats ending SNP domination

05:46 , Josh Salisbury

It continues to be a good night for Labour - now well on the way to 400 seats, it has also win a majority of seats in Scotland.

This overturns a decade of SNP domination at Westminster.

In the 2019 General Election, Labour returned just one MP north of the border to the SNP's 48.

Speaking to the BBC, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calls it “historic”.

“They [voters] have rejected the Tories after fourteen years and they have clearly rejected the SNP, who are incompetent here in government after seventeen years,” he says.

Theresa Villiers bows out in Chipping Barnet as seat gets first Labour MP

05:40 , Josh Salisbury

Chipping Barnet in north London has returned its first-ever Labour MP, John Dunne reports from the scene.

The seat, which had been held by Theresa Villiers since 2005, has been won by Labour’s Dan Tomlinson with 21,585 votes compared to Ms Villiers’ 18,671 votes.

In a concession speech, Ms Villiers said: “I leave this role knowing that I've worked as hard as I possibly can on the issues that really matter to all of us who live here.

“And I include in particular protection of the green belt and safeguarding nature in a natural environment as two of the defining goals of my time in elected office.

“I am so grateful to everyone who over the years has voted for me or supported me.”

'I got Mogg-xit done', says MP who ousted Jacob Rees-Mogg

05:34

More now on the dramatic result from Somerset, where prominent Tory Jacob Rees-Mogg has been ousted.

The now Labour MP for North East Somerset and Hanham constituency, Dan Norris, has said he “got Mogg-xit done" after winning the seat.

"It's a great honour to serve the people of Keynsham, North East Somerset, Hanham and surrounding areas,” he tells supporters.

“This is my home. I'm deeply proud of all our communities and want our part of the world to be the best it can be.

"Keir Starmer changed the Labour Party and he will now change the country for the better. This is a victory for integrity: no more one more rule for them, another for everyone else.

"It's a victory for stability: never forget the economic chaos for which the British people are still paying the price. Now let's get to work."

Esther McVey holds onto seat

05:30

Esther McVey, the former ‘Common Sense’ minister, is among the Tory names who have managed to hold onto their seats.

Ms McVey, a former TV presenter held on in Tatton with 19,956 votes, just ahead of Labour’s Ryan Jude on 18,820 votes.

500 seats now declared - Labour on-course for landslide

05:23 , Josh Salisbury

500 have now been declared and all indications are so far that Labour has secured a landslide.

Labour have won 348 seats with a 35.9% share of the vote.

The Conservatives have 76 seats and a 22.4% vote share.

The Liberal Democrats have won in 46 constituencies with 11.1% of the overall vote, while Reform UK have 14.6% of the vote, translating to success in four seats.

The SNP has four seats, Plaid Cymru is on four, and the DUP has three.

The Green Party has 6.8% of the votes and two seats.

05:21 , Hammersmith and Chiswick stays Labour

Elsewhere in London, Andy Slaughter has retained Hammersmith and Chiswick for Labour.

Conservative challenger Andrew Dinsmore secured just 8,783 votes to Mr Slaughter’s 24,073, which equates to 52.3 per cent of the vote.

Starmer: Work of change begins now

05:16 , Josh Salisbury

Sir Keir continuing to speak to jubilant supporters at a victory party in central London has thanked them changing the country.

He tells Labour Party members "a mandate like this comes with a great responsibility", and adds the task of his government is "nothing less than renewing the ideas hat hold our country together".

“Today we start the next chapter, begin the work of change, the mission of national renewal and start to rebuild our country," he says.

He hugged his wife Victoria after the speech and she walked with him as he shook supporters' hands. They also both embraced former leader Neil Kinnock.

Sunlight of hope is shining once again, says jubilant Sir Keir Starmer

05:09 , Josh Salisbury

Echoing Blair’s 1997 “a new dawn has broken” in a victory speech, Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer has said the country is “walking into the morning, the sunlight of hope ... shining once again.”

Speaking at a central London victory party, Sir Keir told cheering supporters “we did it", adding: “change begins now".

He said: “Across our country people will be waking up to the news, relieved that a weight has been lifted, a burden finally removed from the shoulders of this great nation.

“And now we can look forward, walk into the morning, the sunlight of hope, pale at first, but getting stronger through the day, shining once again on a country with the opportunity after fourteen years to get its future back.”

Jacob Rees-Mogg loses his seat

05:00 , Jacob Phillips

SIr Jacob Rees-Mogg has become the latest senior Tory to lose his seat.

Labour have won the General Election

04:58 , Jacob Phillips

Labour have won the General Election and has a majority. Sir Keir Starmer will become Prime Minister.

Record number of cabinet minister have lost their seats

04:57 , Jacob Phillips

Eight Cabinet ministers have now lost their seats in the General Election, beating the previous record of seven Cabinet ministerial defeats in 1997.

Partial recount underway in Chelsea & Fulham

04:52

It is understood that there are around 150 votes between Tory minister Greg Hands and Labour’s Ben Coleman in Chelsea & Fulham.

A partial recount is underway.

Rishi Sunak leaves election count

04:48 , Jacob Phillips

Rishi 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.

Other candidates continued to mill around the count hall, with some seen shaking hands with one another.

Earlier he said he took “responsibility” for his party’s loss, had called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory and would say more later in London.

'Labour should be ashamed for letting Sir Iain Duncan Smith win'

04:47 , Jacob Phillips

Independent candidate Faiza Shaheen has said Labour should be “ashamed” for letting former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith win as she accused the party of splitting the vote in the Chingford and Woodford Green constituency.

Ms Shaheen, who was dropped by Labour after liking a series of posts on social media platform X that allegedly downplayed antisemitism allegations, came third with 12,445 votes behind her former party’s representative Shama Tatler on 12,524 votes.

“I’m so angry that the Labour Party has done this to Chingford & Woodford Green… they have returned Iain Duncan Smith to Westminster and should be ashamed,” she posted to X.

“Our vote was a combination of those appalled by how I was treated, those who took issue with having an imposed candidate who didn’t know us, those who were never going to vote Labour after Starmer’s stance on Gaza, and those that have never voted before.

“Labour split the vote the moment they deselected me.”

Rishi Sunak concedes defeat and congratulates Sir Keir Starmer

04:45

Rishi Sunak congratulated Sir Keir Starmer on his victory as he conceded that Labour had won the General Election.

He said the British people had delivered a “sobering verdict” on his party as he made a speech after winning his seat in Richmond and Northallerton.

He later apologised to Conservative candidates and said he had “given my all” during his time as Prime Minister.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has just held on to his seat

04:40

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has managed to hold on to his Godalming and Ash seat in Surrey following a close battle with the Liberal Democrats.

Result a 'triumph for the people of Islington North' says Corbyn

04:38 , Jacob Phillips

Jeremy Corbyn said “I’m very happy with the result” as he was leaving the vote count in north London.

He said it was a “fantastic result and it’s a triumph for the people of Islington North”.

He said his message for Sir Keir Starmer was: “Our people in Islington North, your neighbouring constituency, turned out in huge numbers on a message of hope, wealth redistribution and fundamental change in our society. I’m very proud of them.”

Asked whether he was hopeful for the future, he said: “I’m always hopeful for the future because I’m a born optimist.”

He said that his plan following his election was to “talk to our friends and thousands of supporters who are assembled somewhere near our house to thank them for their work and then I’ll probably go to bed”.

He said that his first thing to do as MP was to “deal with all the casework of I’ve picked up in the past few days of which there is a phenomenal number including some very very disturbing cases on housing and mental issues, so I’ll deal with all of that and then get ready for the next Parliament”.

Tory cabinet ministers continue to lose their seats

04:36 , Jacob Phillips

Another Conservative cabinet minister has been defeated by the Liberal Democrats.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has been defeated in Ely and East Cambridgeshire.It comes after former Tory leadership contender Penny Mordaunt, who has lost her Portsmouth North seat, said her party had taken a “battering because it failed to honour the trust that people had placed in it”.But there was an upset for Labour in Croydon South as Tory minister Chris Philp held onto his seat by around 2,000 votes.

Liberal Democrats win Wimbledon

04:27 , Jacob Phillips

The Liberal Democrats have won Wimbledon in a close contest.

Paul Kohler was elected MP following a three-way marginal battle.

Mr Kohler became a well-known figure after he was the victim of a brutal robbery several years ago.

What are the latest results in London?

04:22 , Jacob Phillips

Labour now hold over 10 seats in the capital and is on track to continue to make gains.

Most recently Sarah Sackman won Margaret Thatcher’s old seat in Finchley.

Sir Keir Starmer’s party have recently won Tottenham and Hackney North and Stoke Newington, with David Lammy and Diane Abbott returning to parliament.

Tulip Siddiq has also been re-elected in Hampstead and Highgate.

Conservative chairman Richard Holden clings onto his seat

04:16 , Jacob Phillips

Conservative chairman Richard Holden has won in Basildon and Billericay, beating Labour by just 20 votes following a recount.

But minutes later veterans minister Johnny Mercer was defeated by Labour in Plymouth Moor View.

Commons leader Penny Mordaunt been beaten by Labour in Portsmouth North

04:13 , Jacob Phillips

Commons leader Penny Mordaunt has lost a close contest with Labour in Portsmouth North.

Ms Mordaunt, lost to Labour’s Amanda Martin by just 780 votes.

Green Party win Bristol Central

04:07 , Jacob Phillips

The Green Party’s Carla Denyer declared “history” had been made in Bristol Central after she beat Labour’s Thangam Debbonaire to win the seat.

“We did it! Bristol, we made history… thank you so much to the people of Bristol Central who have elected me as their MP,” she posted to X, formerly Twitter.

“As this city’s first Green MP, I promise to be a strong, independent voice for Bristol’s values, pushing the govt to be bolder on the issues that matter.”

Will Jeremy Hunt lose his seat?

04:06 , Jacob Phillips

A Liberal Democrat source said it was “too close to call” in Godalming and Ash, where the party hopes to unseat Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

“We think there are 100 votes in it,” the source said.

Tories in a close battle for Chelsea & Fulham

04:03 , Jacob Phillips

The Tories are in a close battle for Chelsea & Fulham. Greg Hands is hoping to hand on to the seat for the Conservatives.

A Labour source suggested that the party’s private school fees tax has hit them in the constituency where over 50 per cent of parents pay for education.

Earlier in the night Mr Hands had told the Standard he was feeling “a bit nervous... not good.”

Braverman says Tories 'let people down'

04:01 , Tom Davidson

Former home secretary Suella Braverman, seen as a likely Tory leadership contender, said the Tories “didn’t listen” to the British people and had “let you down”.

Boris loyalist Sir Michael Fabricant loses his seat

03:59 , Jacob Phillips

Conservative Sir Michael Fabricant has lost his seat in Lichfield to Labour’s Dave Robertson.

Sir Michael secured 16,422 votes to Mr Robertson’s 17,232, a majority of 810.

Labour has won over 150 seats so far

03:58 , Jacob Phillips

With 205 constituency results declared, Labour has won 155 seats with a 39 per cent share of the vote.

The Conservatives have 27 seats and a 21.7 per cent vote share.

The Liberal Democrats have won in 15 constituencies with 9.5 per cent of the overall vote, while Reform UK have 16.4 per cent of the vote, translating to success in two seats.

The SNP has two seats and Plaid Cymru is on one.

The Green Party has 6.5 per cent of the votes.

Three Tory cabinet ministers lose seats minutes apart

03:53 , Jacob Phillips

Three Tory cabinet ministers have lost their seats minutes apart from each other.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has been beaten by the Liberal Democrats in Chichester.Tory deputy chairman Jonathan Gullis was beaten by Labour in Stoke-on-Trent North.Chief Whip Simon Hart has also lost to Plaid Cymru in a major blow for the Tories.

It comes after Grant Shapps also lost his seat earlier in the night.

Labour frontbencher loses seat

03:43 , Jacob Phillips

Shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth has been beaten by an independent in Leicester South.

Labour gains slow in London as Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Jeremy Corbyn are re-elected

03:41 , Jacob Phillips

Labour hopes of sweeping London with election gains suffered early setbacks as Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Jeremy Corbyn held their seats.

The former Tory leader won in Chingford and Woodford Green and ex-Labour leader Mr Corbyn in Islington North.

They defied the exit poll which predicted they would both lose and that the Tories faced ending up with just three seats and that even they were “too close to call”.

It showed the Conservatives being wiped out in Inner London and hanging onto only a few seats in Outer London.

Read more about the story so far in London here.

Labour win Croydon East

03:36

Natasha Irons has been elected the first ever MP for the new seat of Croydon East.

She says Labour has won an opportunity which it “must not squander”.

Nigel Farage has been elected an MP on his eighth attempt

03:31 , Jacob Phillips

Nigel Farage has been elected as an MP on his eighth attempt.

The Reform UK leader won 21,225 votes in Clacton, Essex, ahead of the Conservative candidate Giles Watling, who won 12,820 votes.

He said his first-ever win as an MP shows “something very fundamental” is happening.

Speaking in Clacton, the Reform UK leader said it had been a “well run, well fought and remarkably clean election battle”.

“I promise that I will do my absolute best as a member of parliament. I have 20 years as an MEP but it’s not quite the same link or same responsibility with constituents,” he said.

“It’s four weeks and three days since I decided to come out of retirement and throw my hat in the ring. I think what Reform UK has achieved in just those few short weeks is truly extraordinary.

“Given we had no money, no branch structure, virtually nothing across the country, we’re going to come second in hundreds of constituencies, how many seats we’re going to win – I don’t know.

“But to have done this in such a short space of time says something very fundamental is happening.”

Jeremy Corbyn wins in Islington North

03:28 , Jacob Phillips

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will return to the House of Commons.

He has won the hotly contested seat of Islington North, beating Labour by thousands of votes.

Mr Corbyn, now running as an Independent, won 24,120 votes ahead of Labour’s Praful Nargund, who won 16,873 votes

Mr Corbyn was a Labour MP for over 40 years.

“I’m very proud of this campaign,” said Mr Corbyn. He makes ending the two child benefit cap and ending the war in Gaza key points in his acceptance speech.

“I’m truly honoured to serve and look forward to serving the people again.”

Tory heavyweight Grant Shapps loses his seat

03:24 , Jacob Phillips

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who has lost to Labour in Welwyn Hatfield, said it was “clear tonight that Britain will have a new government in the morning”.

What is the story in London so far?

03:20

Labour is making steady gains in London with victories in seats such as Tooting, Battersea and Walthamstow.

Sir Keir Starmer was re-elected in Holborn and St Pancras while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey was re-elected in Kingston and Surbiton.

The Conservatives avoided a complete wipeout in London as Tory heavyweight Sir Iain Duncan Smith won in Chingford & Woodford Green.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith re-elected in Chingford & Woodford Green

03:12

Sir Iain Duncan Smith has been re-elected as the MP for Chingford & Woodford Green.

The seat had been a three-way battle between the Conservative heavyweight, Labour candidate Shama Tatler and Independent candidate Faiza Shaheen.

Ms Shaheen was deselected by Labour for liking a series of tweets that allegedly downplayed allegations of antisemitism.

Tense wait as Jeremy Corbyn waits to see if he will be re-elected

03:04

There is a tense wait in Islington for the result of Jeremy Corbyn’s battle with his old party.

Labour are not filled with confidence while Corbyn’s spokesperson tells the Standard: “It’s not over til it’s over.”

The result, due to be declared in the next 20 minutes, is expected to be very close.

Sir Keir Starmer elected in Holborn and St Pancras

03:02 , Jacob Phillips

Sir Keir Starmer has been re-elected in Holborn and St Pancras.

The Labour leader was re-elected with 18.884 votes.

Sir Keir Starmer told crowds: “You have voted, it is now time for us to deliver.”

He has a reduced majority of 11,572. Voter turnout was 54 per cent.

Labour win in Leyton & Wanstead

02:56 , Jacob Phillips

Calvin Bailey is the new MP for Leyton & Wanstead.

The Labour candidate won 20,775 votes with his nearest rival, Green Party candidate Charlotte Lafferty, getting 6,791 votes.

Labour hold Ealing Central & Acton

02:55

Labour MP Rupa Huq has been re-elected in Ealing Central & Acton.

Ms Huq received 22,340 votes, 46.77 per cent of the vote share.

She finished ahead of the Conservative candidate James Windsor-Clive who received 8,345 votes.

Emily Thornbery re-elected in Islington South

02:49 , Jacob Phillips

Emily Thornberry has been re-elected in Islington South.

“I am proud to be part of Labour’s leadership team,” said the shadow Attorney General as she won convincingly.

She added: “The people of Britain united today to defeat the Tories.”

Ms Thornberry received 22,946 votes ahead of the Greens, 7,491 votes, and Liberal Democrats 4,045 votes.

Sir Ed Davey becomes first leader to win his seat

02:45

Sir Ed Davey has been re-elected in Kingston and Surbiton in south London.

The Liberal Democrat leader said he was “humbled” to be elected again.

He said: “I don’t know if you can tell but I rather enjoyed this campaign but what I loved most hasn’t been the paddleboarding or the bungee jumping.

“It has been speaking to people here in Kingston and Surbiton and across the United Kingdom.”

“Hello Keir, congratulations Prime Minister" - Kate Garraway

02:44 , Tom Davidson

A crowd has gathered in the offices of Camden Council to hear the result in Holborn and St Pancras, where Sir Keir Starmer is seeking re-election.

Count staff and party activists have lined three floors of balconies overlooking the stage where the result will be announced.

Broadcaster Kate Garraway waved to Sir Keir and shouted: “Hello Keir, congratulations Prime Minister.”

Members of the crowd cheered.

Keir Starmer arrives in St Pancras

02:40 , Jacob Phillips

Sir Keir Starmer has arrived at the count for his Holborn and St Pancras constituency to applause from waiting supporters.

He posed for pictures with activist and fellow Labour candidate Tulip Siddiq, surrounded by a scrum of photographers.

The result is expected to be declared shortly.

George Galloway loses his seat

02:38 , Jacob Phillips

Workers’ Party leader George Galloway is no longer the MP for Rochdale.

He was beaten by former Evening Standard reporter Paul Waugh, who was standing for Labour.

Labour hold Putney in south west London

02:31 , Jacob Phillips

Labour’s Fleur Anderson has held her seat in Putney.

Ms Anderson received 20,952 votes, 49.03 per cent of the vote share.

Conservative candidate Lee Roberts won 10,011 votes and Liberal Democrat Kieren McCarthy finished third with 5,189 votes.

Labour has now won two seats in London.

Sir Keir Starmer arrives at his constituency count

02:31 , Tom Davidson

Sir Keir Starmer has arrived at the count for his Holborn and St Pancras constituency to applause from waiting supporters.

He posed for pictures with activist and fellow Labour candidate Tulip Siddiq, surrounded by a scrum of photographers.

The result is expected to be declared shortly.

Rachel Reeves says it is 'huge honour and privilege' to be elected

02:27

Labour shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has said it is a “huge honour and a privilege” to be elected into the Leeds West and Pudsey seat.

In her speech, she said: “I do not want to pre-empt the results that are still to come but if what we have seen so far holds out then it is clear that the British people have voted for change.

“But in the coming hours after 14 years, people will wake up to the prospect of a new government – the first Labour victory in nearly two decades, a page turned, a new chapter started, a chance to look ahead to a brighter future that’s seemed so remote for so long.

“You have put your trust in Labour – thanks to Keir Starmer’s leadership, a changed Labour Party in the service of ordinary working people.

“We have promised to end the chaos, to turn the page and to get to work on rebuilding our country and we will do so. We have sought the opportunity to govern not for self-interest but to serve in the national interest, to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and make work pay, to rebuild our health service and our schools, to drive growth in every part of our great country, and to restore the stability that Britain has sorely lacked for too long.

“But I know that the road ahead will not be easy. There are no quick fixes and the hard choices lie ahead.”

First London seat announced

02:23 , Jacob Phillips

Marsha de Cordova has been re-elected as MP for Battersea.

The Labour candidate won 22,983 votes ahead of the Conservative candidate Tom Pridham, who won 10,944 votes.

The Liberal Democrat’s candidate Francis Chubb was third with 4,826 votes.

Lee Anderson becomes Reform UK's first elected MP

02:20 , Jacob Phillips

Lee Anderson has become Reform UK’s first elected MP, winning in Ashfield.

High voter turn out in Chingford & Woodford Green

02:16 , Jacob Phillips

Voter turnout has been high in Chingford & Woodford Green, where the result is expected to be on a knife edge.Some 64.7 per cent of residents went to the polls in Chingford & Woodford Green.

The seat is a three-way battle between Tory former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Labour candidate Shama Tatler and Independent candidate Faiza Shaheen.

Ms Shaheen was deselected by Labour for liking a series of tweets that allegedly downplayed allegations of antisemitism.

Read more about the battle for the seat here.

Lib Dems claim to have ousted Justice Secretary

02:05 , Jacob Phillips

The Liberal Democrats have claimed to have won in Cheltenham, ousting Justice Secretary Alex Chalk.

A Lib Dem source said: “This is a massive result for the Liberal Democrats and demonstrates the anger that so many Conservative voters have for this Government.

“The people of Cheltenham have elected a local champion in Max Wilkinson who will stand up in Parliament and work hard to protect local A&E services.”

Full recount in Tory Party chairman's seat

01:59 , Jacob Phillips

A full recount is taking place in Basildon and Billericay, Essex, where Tory Party chairman Richard Holden faces losing to Reform.

The count is so close, Tory sources say it could be decided by just a few dozen votes.

One source told the BBC there could be as few as 20 votes in it.

Labour gains Darlington from the Tories

01:58 , Jacob Phillips

Labour has gained Darlington from the Conservatives - with Reform UK surge possibly making the difference.

Labour’s Lola McEvoy received 16,621 votes ahead of Tory candidate Peter Gibson, 14,323 votes, and Reform candidate Michael Walker, who won 6,852 votes.

Tory cabinet minister could be unseated in London

01:55 , Jacob Phillips

Counting is underway in Croydon South - a Conservative seat held by the policing minister Chris Philp since 2015.

In 2019, Mr Philp won it with a sturdy majority of more than 12,000 votes, though the BBC's exit poll suggests there is a 99 per cent chance that he will lose it to Labour's Ben Taylor.

The seat has only ever voted Conservative since it was created in 1974.

Team Corbyn still cautious as counting continues

01:52 , Tom Davidson

At Islington North, Team Corbyn remain cautious about any premature declarations of victory.

“We’ve done all we can and we think it’s close,” a senior member of Corbyn’s team tells the Standard as votes continued to be counted at Islington Tennis Centre.

Corbyn himself remains relaxed, chatting to a Green Party activist and sipping a hot drink while he awaits the result.

Labour however seemed panicked. One party source has told journalists they are expecting to lose the seat to Corbyn this morning.

Lib Dems call victory over Education Secretary Gillian Keegan

01:46

The Liberal Democrats have called victory in Chichester as Education Secretary Gillian Keegan is set to lose her seat

A Liberal Democrat source said: "School's out for summer for Gillian Keegan. We are confident of clinching a win in Chichester, making her the first Cabinet Minister of the night to lose her seat.

"This seat has been Conservative for 100 years, winning here is an extraordinary achievement which has unseated the Education Secretary."

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