aAfter 14 years of Conservative rule, Britain woke up to the news that the Labour Party had won a landslide election victory. Keir Starmer is expected to officially become Prime Minister later on Friday after Rishi Sunak conceded defeat following his party’s historic defeat.
On Friday morning, the map of the UK was painted solid red, but the Liberal Democrats also made big gains, winning more than 70 seats, while the Greens, Plaid Cymru and Reform UK have each won four seats so far. Due to the single-seat constituency system, Nigel Farage’s party won fewer seats, despite receiving more votes than the Liberal Democrats.
Despite winning seats across the UK, Labour failed to significantly increase its vote share compared to 2019, while the Conservative Party’s vote share plummeted by around 20%.
As the UK’s political landscape shifts, voters shared their reactions to the election results.
‘This government will be the most working-class government in history.‘
I’m happy. The Conservative Party has been destroyed, and finally, a Labour government has been born. This is something we’ve been waiting for for a long time. What makes me happiest is that my father, who is in his 70s, has been campaigning energetically for the past few years. He said, “The only thing I want before I die is a Labour government.” Thankfully, he is healthy and able to enjoy the government.
Ten friends gathered to watch the results and stayed up until 4am, drinking Kir Royal and eating vegan chilli, holding giant colouring-in maps of constituencies and posters of the Conservatives’ landslide victory.
We are not all Labour supporters, but we were all jubilant at ousting the Conservatives.
I’m optimistic. There are a lot of good people involved at the grassroots level. [hope]I am also pleased that this Cabinet will be made up of the most working-class people in our history, and I am optimistic that the next five years will leave this country in a better place.
Actor George Wigzell, 39, voted Labour in Leyton and Wanstead.
“We can work again to address grassroots concerns.”
I am pleased with the election results, particularly the gains made by Labour in my constituency. I believe we can finally address local people’s concerns again, not just at grassroots level but at a wider national level. Welsh people can celebrate our own culture and traditions, but also be open-minded to people from elsewhere, working together for the benefit of all.
Having a Labour government is more important to me than anything else, because socialism represents my core values and belief in equal rights and opportunities for everyone in society.
My concern is that after so many years of populist politics, conservative ideas have become too strong and deeply ingrained in our culture and society.
Kate Roberts, 60, a performance artist, voted Labour in Clwyd East.
“Starmer seems to know what he’s talking about.”
This is the first UK general election I have voted in and I am positive about the outcome. I moved to the UK from India two years ago when Liz Truss became PM and she didn’t seem to know what she was talking about. Sunak was admired in my home country but not trusted much.
Starmer seems confident yet balanced and seems to know what he’s talking about, but it felt more like a vote against the Conservatives than a vote for Labour.
As for the Reformists, I think the whole narrative about British values and culture is absurd – you can’t talk about these things in a global world – and their anti-immigration stance seems to me to be rooted in xenophobia rather than any other reason.
Nitin Menon, 38, works in business operations and voted Labour in Brent East.
“This is more of a Conservative defeat than a Labour victory.”
While it is great to see the Conservatives out of power, it is also a stern indictment of our single-member constituency voting system. The results do not represent the will of the people.
It’s great to see the Greens gaining seats like this. The way the electoral system works, in most cases, [voting for smaller parties] But I think it’s worth voting for what you want.
I hope that Labour doesn’t get too carried away with this victory, because they need to sit back and look at this and face the truth: they lost seats because of Palestine and, in some cases, they won seats because of reform.
Louise, 40, a not-for-profit worker, voted Green in Lewisham West and East Dulwich.
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“The days of voting for only two parties are over.”
Gone are the days of voting for only two major parties, and I believe we have entered an era, similar to other European countries, where many smaller parties can form government and reflect a range of political beliefs working together to make the country a better place, rather than an “us vs. them” mentality.
I am really happy that the Liberal Democrats won more seats than expected. They are a progressive party and they are more aggressive on some policies than the Labour Party, so I think a lot of people voted for them instead of the Labour Party. I voted for them because my constituency was between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.
Max, 25, a retail manager, voted Liberal Democrat in Eastbourne.
‘I didn’t hate the SNP, but I didn’t always know what they stood for.‘
I am pleased to see the Labour Party back on the scene across the UK. I hope for a change in tone and a kinder debate. I voted Labour in this election, although I previously voted Lib Dem strategically when I lived elsewhere.
I feel like they embody kindness and fairness. It would be great if my children could grow up with a Labour government. I didn’t hate the SNP. They’re not bad, but I didn’t always understand what they stood for apart from independence.
I don’t know what will change directly for us, but it’s more like a change in sentiment and direction. As for whether there will be any major changes in local government, I don’t actually know. I would like to see fewer cuts to social care services and more support for vulnerable adults. It’s terrible that services are being cut here.
Emily, 30s, works in local government, votes Labour in Edinburgh North and Leith
‘Shocked by the rise of Reform UK‘
I am so happy to know that 14 years of Conservative disaster is finally over. I remember waking up to every election from the age of 10 to find that the Conservatives were still in power.
I’ve put my printmaking skills to the test and made some screen prints calling for people to vote which I hung in my window. I’ve been astonished by the rise of Reform UK. This shift to the far right is really worrying but I think a lot of this movement is down to Nigel Farage’s pantomimes. I was so pleased to hear that Carla Denier has won her seat in Bristol.
Although the Labour Party does not entirely represent my views, there is something empowering about this change of government and being a part of it. We were told we were voting for change. Now let’s see if that change happens! Charlie Mason, 19, student, Leeds North East, voting Labour
“I’m a Conservative by birth, but I can be persuaded to vote Labour.”
I’m a lifelong Conservative, so this outcome will be a huge blow to me personally. VAT on private school fees will be the most direct hit. Not only that, but no matter what they say, Labour are planning to increase taxes, and high earners like me will undoubtedly feel the brunt of it. From a narrow economic perspective, this has been a very bad outcome for my family.
But nevertheless, I am emotionally delighted by this result: over the last decade the Conservative Party has shown such astonishing incompetence, promoting such poor people, that it is hard not to be delighted to see them go.
My priority is stability and competence in government, and Labour has earned the right to challenge that. If they do a good job, I will definitely vote Labour in future.
Ms Thomas, 44, works in the city and voted Liberal Democrat in Queen’s Park and Maida Vale.
