Fast forward to July 2024 and Labour gained a majority similar to this 1997 win. To get a majority in Parliament, 326 seat wins out of 650 are needed. Labour won a majority of 412, overturning 209 seats, leading to a historic defeat for the Conservative Party. The Conservatives secured 121 seats, the Liberal Democrats, 71, which was a record number for the party.

According to the BBC data journalism team, voter turnout for the election was around 60%, which is similar to the results in 2001. And the votes cast were shocking blows to the Conservatives as high profile members lost their seats, including former prime minister (PM) Lizz Truss, who held the position for 45 days, Jacob Rees-Mogg, and Penny Morduant.

In his last speech in 10 Downing Street, outgoing PM Rishi Sunak said, “I have given this job my all. But you have sent a clearer message, and yours is the only judgement that matters.”

Sunak’s work, however, had not gone unnoticed, with new PM Sir Keir Starmer thanking his predecessor for service to the country. Delivering his first speech as PM, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Now our country has voted decisively for change for national renewal”. He added that Labour would start work immediately, that the “work is urgent”, and that “public service is a privilege”, where this will help young people from the ages of 16–24 to be employed and start to earn their own money to live.

Starmer, 61, Labour leader, has been a member of Parliament since 2015 and was elected leader of the Labour Party from 2020. He previously served as head of the Crown Prosecution Service and director of Public Prosecutions. As part of his campaign, Starmer stated the actions he and his party will carry out first in terms of rebuilding Britain, including getting the “NHS back on its feet facing the future, secure borders, safer streets … clean British power, cutting your energy bills for good”.

Here’s a brief overview of Labour’s plan and mission statement that they will begin today:

• Deliver economic stability
• Cut NHS waiting times
• Launch a new Border Security Command
• Set up Great British Energy
• Crack down on antisocial behaviour
• Recruit 6,500 new teachers

Since the snap election was called, hundreds of Labour students campaigned across 91 seats to back a Labour win. Young Labour, which represents members aged 14-26, posted on X before the general election took place, that the country “can’t afford another five years of Tory chaos”.

Highlighting what changes they think a Labour government will bring, Young Labour included the installation of 1.5mn new homes and new protections for renters, youth mental health hubs in every community, an equal living wage and better rights at work, voting age reduced to 16, and publicly owned, cheap, green energy.

Following the Labour landslide victory, Sunak announced his resignation as Conservative Party leader and PM, saying he was “sorry” and “takes responsibility for this loss”.

What happens now?

Starmer has already met King Charles to formally appoint him as the new PM and to accept His Majesty’s offer to form a new administration.

🤝 The King received in Audience The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP today and requested him to form a new Administration.

Sir Keir accepted His Majesty’s offer and was appointed Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury. pic.twitter.com/g1TwdPObbD

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 5, 2024

Parliament is currently dissolved and the new Parliament has been called to meet on July 9, which will involve the election of the Speaker and the swearing-in of members. On July 17, the State Opening of Parliament and the King’s Speech will take place.