Keir Starmer is set to become the next prime minister of Britain, after his Labour Party delivered a decisive win in the general election on Thursday.
The centre-left Labour Party earned a large majority in the 650-seat parliament, while Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives had their worst finish in the party’s long history as people punished them for a cost-of-living crisis, failed public services, and a series of scandals.
Mr. Starmer will succeed outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who assumed office less than two years ago and contacted Mr. Starmer to congratulate him.
Mr. Starmer, a 61-year-old former human rights lawyer, has led the Labour Party through a stunning turnaround after suffering its worst election setback since the 1930s only a few years ago.
He has steered the party toward the political center while benefiting on the mistakes of three Conservative prime ministers.
About 250 Conservative lawmakers were ousted in the crushing defeat, including a record number of senior ministers and former Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Elected to Parliament in 2015, Starmer succeeded the left-wing Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader in 2020 and began remaking the party.
Outgoing Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said he had called Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.
“Today power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner, with goodwill on all sides,” Sunak said.
Starmer also comes to power at a time when the country is facing “a series of daunting challenges.”
Britain’s tax burden is set to hit its highest since just after World War Two, net debt is almost equivalent to annual economic output, living standards have fallen, and public services are creaking, especially the much cherished National Health Service which has been dogged by strikes.
