BBC :
Rishi Sunak has said he accepts resposibility for the Conservative Party’s historic general election defeat.
Sir Keir Starmer has led the Labour Party to a landslide victory and will take over from Mr Sunak as the UK’s prime minister.
Mr Sunak told supporters: “The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight, there is much to learn… and I take responsibility for the loss.”
Speaking in central London, Sir Keir said “change begins now”, adding “it feels good, I have to be honest”.
With more than 500 out of 650 seats declared, Labour is projected to form the next government, with a majority of 166.
The Tories are set for the worst result in their history. They have lost more than 170 seats and are forecast to be left with just 136 MPs.
Sir Keir told cheering Labour supporters the country was waking up to “the sunlight of hope” which was “shining once again on a country with the opportunity after 14 years to get its future back”.
He added: “Now we can look forward – walk into the morning.” Reform UK leader Nigel Farage won a seat in Parliament at his eighth attempt, in Clacton, promising “this is just the first step of something that is going to stun all of you”.
Reform has four MPs so far – including chairman Richard Tice and former Tory Lee Anderson – and has finished second in many parts of the country, taking large amounts of votes from the Conservatives.
The Scottish National Party is now forecast to be reduced to just eight MPs, as Labour regains dominance in Scotland.