General Election LIVE: Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria settle into No10 after historic win
NEWLY elected Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria waved as they arrived at No10 Downing Street today.
The Labour leader was cheered on by staff inside his new official London residence after making his first address to the nation.
His arrival into Downing Street was hailed earlier today after King Charles formally installed him as Britain's 58th Prime Minister.
Sir Keir and Victoria were given a glorious welcome after returning from the Palace, where they had met with His Majesty, the Queen's principal private secretary Sir Clive Alderton, and Charles's equerry Royal Navy Commander William Thornton.
He vowed to "fight every day" and "rebuild Britain" as he delivered his first speech in front of No. 10.
It comes as Sir Keir is formally naming his Cabinet as the top team meet in No10 for the first time.
Firebrand Angela Rayner has been appointed Deputy PM and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
And Rachel Reeves makes history today as Britain's first female Chancellor.
The coveted role of Foreign Secretary will be held by David Lammy, while Yvette Cooper as Home Secretary faces the tough task of stopping small boats.
Meanwhile, the nation's security will heavily depend on John Healey as Defence Secretary.
Other cabinet roles include:
- Shabana Mahmood as Justice Secretary
- Wes Streeting as Health Secretary
- Bridget Phillipson as Education Secretary
- Ed Miliband as Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary
- Pat McFadden as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
- Liz Kendall as Secretary Work and Pensions Secretary
- Jonathan Reynolds as Business and Trade Secretary
- Peter Kyle as Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary
- Louise Haigh MP as Transport Secretary
Earlier Sir Keir promised to "fight every day" and "rebuild Britain" as he delivered his first speech in front of No. 10.
In sun-soaked Downing Street, the Labour chief vowed that "my government will serve you".
After a historic election night:
- Keir Starmer has become Britain's next Prime Minister after Labour got 412 seats amid a brutal Tory wipeout.
- He promised to lead a Labour party grounded in “public service” in his first speech as PM in front of a jubilant crowd at No 10.
- Sir Keir will now appoint his cabinet as he cracks on with his plan for change.
- Rishi Sunak admitted defeat earlier on the steps of Downing Street and apologised to the nation for his party’s failures.
- Tory big beasts including former PM Liz Truss and ex-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps have lost seats after a nightmare night for Conservatives.
- He was followed by Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt, one of eight Cabinet ministers have lost their seats
- Nigel Farage’s Reform party claimed an unprecedented four seats as they grabbed votes from the Tories.
- Tory defector Lee Anderson claimed the first Reform seat, followed by Farage, Richard Tice, and Rupert Lowe.
- Sir Keir's predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, now standing as an independent, also held onto Islington North
- All eyes are now on our new PM with Piers Morgan telling our Never Mind The Ballots election show that Sir Keir MUST deliver real change after the Tory disaster
Making an appeal to those who did not vote for his party yesterday, he said: “Whether you voted Labour or not, in fact, especially if you did not, I say to you directly: my government will serve you.”
Sir Keir acknowledged changing a country is not "like flicking a switch" and that will "take a while".
But he went on to say: "I have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately. I have no doubt that we will rebuild Britain with wealth created in every community."
The new Prime Minister also invited the country to join him in his mission.
And he pledged to bring an end to "the era of noisy performance".
To rapturous applause, Sir Keir said: "We will show that we've changed the Labour Party, returned it to service, and that is how we will govern.
"With respect and humility, I invite you all to join this government of service in the mission of national renewal.
"Country first, party second. Our work is urgent and we begin it today."
Britain's new PM added: "For too long now, we've turned a blind eye.
"As millions slid into greater insecurity, nurses, builders, drivers, carers, people doing the right thing, working harder every day, recognized at moments like this before.
"Yet, as soon as the cameras stopped rolling, their lives are ignored.
"I want to say very clearly to those people: Not this time."
Sir Keir said his work is "urgent" and vowed "to begin it today".
The incoming PM must mull over which Labour MPs to include in his Cabinet.
It came as Rishi Sunak made an emotional statement from Downing Street, where he thanked his "beautiful daughters" for the sacrifices they made while he governed the country.
Tune into our election results special on
The ex-PM will stay on as leader of the opposition until "the formal arrangements for selecting my successor are in place".
With a glimmer in his eye, Mr Sunak said: "I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry.
"I have given this job my all.
"But you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change.
"And yours is the only judgement that matters."
"I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss."
The ex-PM hailed "just how unremarkable it is that two generations after my grandparents came here with little I could become prime minister".
He described the beauty in being able to watch his young daughters "light Divali candles on the steps in Downing Street."
Turning to his successor, Mr Sunak said: "Whilst he has been my political opponent, Sir Keir Starmer will shortly become our prime minister.
"In this job, his successes will be all our successes, and I wish him and his family well.
"Whatever our disagreements in this campaign, he is a decent, public spirited man who I respect."
Mr Sunak then travelled to Buckingham Palace, where the King formally accepted his resignation.
Follow our live blog below for the latest news and updates...
Piers Morgan reacts...
The Sun columnist and TV star says.: "Very dignified & gracious exit by Rishi Sunak, a good man who gave it his best but inherited an impossible hospital pass from his train-wreck predecessors Boris/Truss.
"Things might have been very different for the Tories if he’d been PM from 2019."
Exit stage left
Although Rishi Sunak was driven in the front gates of Buckingham Palace, he will exit through the back to allow Sir Keir Starmer to follow through.
When he leaves, he'll be the Prime Minister.
Right, so who's next?
If you've not had enough of betting-related stories, then here's one... nobody has publicly declared they will run yet - but it would seem there's cash going down.
Betfair Exchange - Next Conservative Leader
Kemi Badenoch 2/1
Tom Tugendhat 9/2
Priti Patel 7/1
Robert Jenrick 17/2
James Cleverly 10/1
Jeremy Hunt 11/1
Suella Braverman 13/2
Nigel Farage 15/1
Rishi Sunak resigns
Rishi Sunak has officially resigned as Prime Minister.
Rishi Sunak arrives at Buckingham Palace
The Prime Minister (for another 10 minutes or so) has arrived to meet King Charles, where he will officially tender his resignation.
It will just be those two in the traditionally intimate meeting.
'It is thanks to you, the British people'
The PM ends by saying: "I'd like to thank my colleagues, my cabinet for civil service, especially here in Downing Street. The team at Chequers, my staff at CCHQ, but most of all, I'd like to express my gratitude to my wife and our beautiful daughters.
"I can never thank them enough for the sacrifices they have made, so that I might serve our country.
"One of the most remarkable things about Britain is just how unremarkable it is that two generations after my grandparents came here with little, I could become prime minister. And then I could watch my two young daughters like Diwali candles on the steps in Downing Street.
"We must hold true to that idea of who we are. That vision of kindness, 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.
"This is the best country in the world. And it is thanks entirely to you the British people the true source of all our achievements, our strengths and our greatness. Thank you."Rishi goes on
"And it is more prosperous, fairer and resilient than it was in 2010.
"Whilst he has been my political opponent, Sir Keir Starmer will shortly become our prime minister. In this job, his successes will be all our successes, and I wish him and his family well, "Whatever our disagreements in this campaign, he is a decent, public spirited man who I respect.
"He and his family deserve the very best of our understanding, as they make the huge transition to their new lives behind this door. And as he grapples with this most demanding of jobs in an increasingly unstable world."
Rishi continues
Rishi: "When I first stood here, as your Prime Minister, I told you the most important task I had was to return stability to our economy. Inflation is back to target, mortgage rates are falling and growth has returned.
"We have enhanced our standing in the world rebuilding relations with allies, leading global efforts to support Ukraine and becoming the home of new generation of transformative technologies.
"And our United Kingdom is stronger to with the Windsor Framework, devolution restored in Northern Ireland, and our union strengthened.
"I'm proud of those achievements. I believe this country is safer, stronger, and more secure than it was 20 months ago."Rishi speaks
PM: "I will shortly be saying His Majesty the King to offer my resignation as prime minister to the country. I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry.
I have given this job my all.
But you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change. And yours is the only judgement that matters. I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss."
Sir Keir Starmer 'to buy a puppy'
How do you keep two teenage kids happy while they live in No.10?
The answer, of course, is buying a dog - and that's exactly what Sir Keir is going to do, according to his friend Sadiq Khan.
Here comes Rishi
The PM is about to make his resignation speech.
It's raining again outside No.10...
And first sight of the King
King Charles is speeding down The Mall in his state car as he arrives ready to meet Rishi Sunak, then Sir Keir Starmer.
Expecting Rishi imminently
Rishi Sunak will speak outside Downing Street shortly, where he will announce the end of his time as PM.
He will then meet the King to formally resign, with Charles then inviting Sir Keir Starmer to form a new government.
Nigel is awake
Starmer makes first international calls
French President Emmanuel Macron says he's already spoken to the Labour leader following his crushing win last night.
Kruger puts Farage deal bid to death
The Tory MP, who won narrowly, told Sky News of letting Nige join up “Crucially, he doesn’t want it and he’s just stood against us.
"I don’t think politicians who try to defeat Conservative candidates have a place in the Conservative Party.
“What we need is Reform voters, so we need to be very respectful of Nigel Farage and his colleagues who’ve just won their seats, all credit to them.
"I think their characterisation of what is wrong with the country, it might be simplistic but it is essentially correct.
“The fundamental focus needs to be on getting our policy position correct and then I hope to see those Reform voters come back to us.”
Trump congratulates Farage
The former US President Donald Trump has congratulated his friend Nigel Farage on taking a seat in Clacton, and even name drops the Reform party.
The Republican nominee for the White House said on his Truth Social platform: "Congratulations to Nigel Farage on his big WIN of a Parliament Seat Amid Reform UK Election Success.
"Nigel is a man who truly loves his Country! DJT"
Credit: PA:Press Association Labour GAIN Poole
Another shock on the south coast as Labour have picked up Poole, which has been held by Tory Robert Syms since 1997.
But his 26-year career is over... and he's been beaten by only 18 votes.
It's been a Tory seat since 1880 - 144 years.
Five pro-Palestine MPs shock Labour
Five MPs who put Gaza at the heart of their campaigns have shocked Labour to cause huge upsets.
Among them was the unexpected loss of the Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth in Leicester East, while ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn held on to Islington North.
Here they are...
Shockat Adam (Leicester South)
Ayoub Khan (Birmingham Perry Barr)
Adnan Hussain (Blackburn)
Iqbal Mohamed (Dewsbury and Batley)
Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North)Jeremy Hunt says goodbye
After a well-received concession speech, could he now launch a bid on the Tory leadership again?
Credit: Getty 
Credit: PA Tories 'out-Faraged Farage'
Tory civil war already in full swing this morning as ex-minister Justine Greening accuses the party of lurching to the right.
She tells Sky: "These are disastrous results. They are the end point of five years plus of the Conservative Party trying to out-Reform Reform, trying to out-Farage Nigel Farage and that experiment has utterly failed.
“What we now need to do is actually get back into the mainstream, deliver on key promises like levelling up and learn from what has been an appalling, unprecedentedly bad result.”
Jeremy Hunt leaves Downing Street
The outgoing Chancellor and his family have left No.11 Downing Street for the final time.
The end
Rishi Sunak has left Conservative campaign HQ to head for Downing Street
Credit: Reuters Reform to be the 'antidote to Sir Snore'
New Reform MP Richard Tice tells Mike Graham on his Talk breakfast show that his party will make "a great deal more noise than the four MPs" elected in the general election.
He said: "We will build this movement, this people's revolt towards the next general election - we will be the opposition to Keir 'snore' Starmer!"
Only five results to go...
Labour GAIN Hendon from the Conservatives by a majority of only 15.
