Laura Kuenssberg: Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer have more in common than you might think
BBC NewsMay 26
The Facts
Sir Keir Starmer has replaced Conservative leader Rishi Sunak to become the first Labour prime minister since 2010 after his party secured a 174-seat majority in the UK general election. The Conservative Party won 121 seats with 24% of the vote, a decrease of 251. The Liberal Democrats secured 71 seats with 12% of the vote, Reform UK received five seats from 14% of the vote, and the Green Party won four seats with 7% support.
In Scotland, the Scottish National Party (SNP) saw a reduction from 47 seats in 2019 to nine in 2024, with Labour winning 37/57 constituencies. In Wales, Labour won 27/32 seats, followed by Plaid Cymru with four; while in Northern Ireland Sinn Fein have become the largest party with seven seats, followed by the DUP with five.
The Spin
Labour narrative
Labour's historic victory and the demise of the Conservatives is a watershed moment for the UK. After fourteen years of hurt, corruption, cynicism, and economic mismanagement, the country can finally look to the future with confidence and optimism. While the party must not dismiss either the scale of the task at hand or the looming threat that Reform and Farage may pose in the years to come, Starmer's entry into Downing Street is undeniably a day to celebrate.
Tory narrative
The Conservative Party must accept that they have been the architects of their own demise. While honest reflection can only conclude that the Tories have lost the electorate's faith for many reasons, it's vital for UK democracy that the party rebuilds and rebuilds quickly. Without a strong Conservative Party to pick up the pieces after Labour's inevitable future failure, there's no telling who may soon hold the keys to power.
Establishment-critical narrative
The UK democratic processes are in dire need of reform. While many attempt to gloss over first-past-the-post's inadequacies through an obscure defense of the country's many historical "quirks," the reality is that the system disregards the voices of tens of millions of voters. Proportional representation is necessary if the UK is to maintain its reputation as a world-leading advocate for democracy.