Rishi Sunak says he's sorry in his last speech as Prime Minister
“I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss”
Last updated 5th Jul 2024
Rishi Sunak has apologised in his last speech as Prime Minister as Labour's Sir Keir Starmer prepares to head to Buckingham Palace to officially become the next Prime Minister.
Overnight Labour won 412 seats, giving them a huge majority in the House of Commons.
In the speech outside Downing Street Rishi Sunak said he had “given this job my all” but voters had sent a “clear message.”
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He 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 am sorry.
“I have given this job my all, but you have sent a clear signal that the Government of the United Kingdom must change. And yours is the only judgment that matters.
“I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss.”
Sunak said he would step down as leader, but not straight away: “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.”
Sunak respectful of Starmer
Rishi Sunak praised Sir Keir Starmer as a “decent, public-spirited man who I respect” as he conceded defeat outside Number 10.
The Prime Minister said “whatever our disagreements,” he wished Sir Keir and his family well as they make “the huge transition to their new lives behind this door”.
Mr Sunak said: “Whilst he has been my political opponent, Sir Keir Starmer will shortly become our prime minister.
“In this job, his successes will be all our successes, and I wish him and his family well.
“Whatever our disagreements in this campaign, he is a decent, public-spirited man who I respect.
“He and his family deserve the very best of our understanding as they make the huge transition to their new lives behind this door.”
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