UK election 2024 live updates: Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to become next PM

Anthony Albanese has congratulated Keir Starmer who declared "change begins now" now as Labour has beaten the Tories in the UK general election. It comes as former PM Liz Truss lost her seat. Follow updates.

The Conservatives have conceded defeat to Labour who has managed a landslide victory,  with Sir Keir Starmer set to become the UK's next PM.

Mr Sunak said the British people have delivered a '“sobering verdict”. 

He will return to London where he will say more about the result before he gives up his job as PM. Then he will return home to Yorkshire.

It's unclear how long he will remain as  Tory leader, with speculation he will resign. 

After Mr Sunak called Sir Keir, the Labour leader took to the stage and told voters: “We did it! You campaigned for it, you fought for it, you voted for it, and now it has arrived. Change begins now. And it feels good, I have to be honest. four and a half years of wok changing the party, this is what it is for, a changed labour party, ready to serve our country, ready to restore Britain to the service of working people.”

He said the British people should “enjoy this moment”. “Nobody can say you haven’t waited patiently,” he said. 

He said people should hold on to the win “because this is what unity is made from.”

"Election victories don’t fall from the sky. They’re hard won and hard fought for, and this one could only be won by a changed Labour Party.

Sir Keir, who has held onto his Holborn and St Pancras seat, said he promises to serve every person in the constituency, whether they voted for him or not. He will speak out for people, “have your back and fight your corner every single day”.

"People here and around the country have spoken and they’re ready for change, to the politics of performance, a return to politics as public service," he said. 

"The change begins right here, because this is your democracy, your community and your future.

"You have voted. It is now time for us to deliver."

King Charles has cleared two spots in his schedule to farewell the expected outgoing Prime Minister before an hour later welcoming incoming new PM Sir Keir Starmer. Mr Sunak is expected to be joined by his wife and children for the "departure audience" with the King, which is scheduled for 8pm AEST, before leaving Buckingham Palace.

Labour has reached 400 seats. The Conservatives have 107 seats.

The Liberal Democrats have won in 66 constituencies while Reform UK have 14.9% of the vote, translating to success in four seats.

The SNP has four seats and Plaid Cymru is on seven.

The Green Party has four seats.

Reform UK has made incredible ground in the UK general election, and could pick up as many as 13 seats, while party leader Nigel Farage was tipped to become Prime Minister of Great Britain in 2029.

Our coverage is anchored by Julie Cross, Charles Miranda, Andrew Koubaridis, Justin Vallejo and David Mills. Commentary will come from Sky News Political Reporter and AM Agenda host Laura Jayes, with analysis from Dr Patrick Leslie, a researcher at the School of Politics and International Relations at ANU.

Watch the results live on the live stream and follow the updates in our blog below.

Originally published as UK election 2024 live updates: Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to become next PM

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