Following the Conservatives’ general election defeat, outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that he will step down as leader of the party.
In a speech outside Number 10 Downing Street, Sunak spoke about his pride in having led the United Kingdom as Prime Minister, whilst also congratulating Sir Keir Starmer on his election victory. Sunak then went on to outline how he will step down as leader of his party – and Leader of the Opposition – with the wheels being set in motion to appoint his successor.
By stepping down Sunak becomes the fifth Conservative Leader to resign since David Cameron won the 2010 General Election, and the third since 2022.
Touching on the election loss, Sunak said:
“I will shortly be seeing His Majesty the King to offer my resignation as Prime Minister.
“To the country, I would like to say first and foremost: I’m sorry. I have given this job my all, but you have sent a clear signal 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.
“To all the Conservative candidates and campaigners who worked tirelessly but without success, I am sorry that we could to deliver what your efforts deserved. It pains me to think how many good colleagues, who contributed so much to their communities and our country, will now no longer sit in the House of Commons.”
The writing was on the wall for Sunak with Labour expected to capitalise on the challenges that the country has faced in the later years of the Conservatives’ 14-year domination, with this being summed up in the now former Prime Minister’s rain-soaked speech on Downing Street where he announced the election. Despite the uphill battle that the party faced, Sunak did remain positive throughout, however, only seeming to acknowledge the likely Labour majority in the days before the public headed to the polls.
As he announced his resignation as party leader, Sunak touched on the need to bring the party together:
“Following this result, I will step down as party leader. Not immediately, but once the formal arrangements for selecting my successor are in place.
“It is important that, after 14 years in government, the Conservative Party rebuilds – but also that it takes up its crucial role in opposition professionally and effectively.”
Due to the election results and decisions not to run, a number of senior Conservatives will be out of the running to be the party leader. This includes high-profile names such as Michael Gove (who chose not to run), Grant Shapps (who lost his seat), and Penny Mordaunt (who lost her seat) – the latter of which seemed the most likely option for Conservative Leadership should Sunak resign.
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