Says sorry to the British - resigns as party leader

 

England
Rishi Sunak gives farewell speech: "I'm sorry"

Linnea Blomberg

Updated 13.13 | Published 11.44

After the great victory of Social Democratic Labor in the British parliamentary election, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is now forced to admit defeat.

On Friday morning, he gave his farewell speech to the nation.

- I have heard your anger, your disappointment and I take responsibility for this loss, says Sunak, who also confirms his departure.

Just before lunchtime on Friday, outgoing British  Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stepped out the door of 10 Downing Street to address the nation and admit defeat to himself and his party.

After Thursday's parliamentary election, his conservative Tory party is now forced to hand over government power to the social democratic Labor Party after 14 years in power.

- Good morning, today I will meet the king to offer my resignation as Prime Minister, Sunak began his speech.

Furthermore, he continued:

- To the country, I want to say, I'm sorry. I have done my best in this role. But you have been clear, the UK government needs to change and your judgment is the only thing that matters.

- I have heard your anger and your disappointment and I take responsibility for this loss, says Sunak.
 

"Will step down"

Rishi Sunak also confirms that he will now step down as Prime Minister.

- I will step down as party leader. Not immediately, but as soon as my replacement is appointed. It is important that our party can be rebuilt after 14 years in power, but also that it assumes its important role as an opposition party, professionally and effectively.

For Labor it was a landslide victory. The party picks 411 out of 650 seats in the House of Commons and thus secures the largest majority since Tony Blair's Labor government in 1997.

On Friday morning, the party's leader Keir Starmer also stepped forward and thanked the people for their support.

- The people have spoken and I am ready for change, he said.

Photo: Kin Cheung/AP