Election 2024
Results: parties by seats
326 seats for a majority
0 seats to go
  • Labour: 412 seats, 211 seats gained
  • Conservative: 121 seats, 251 seats lost
  • Liberal Democrat: 72 seats, 64 seats gained
  • Scottish National Party: 9 seats, 39 seats lost
  • Sinn Fein: 7 seats, No change
  • Others: 29 seats, 15 seats gained
Change since 2019

Summary

  • Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces his cabinet, with Rachel Reeves becoming the UK's first female chancellor

  • Angela Rayner is made deputy prime minister, Yvette Cooper becomes home secretary and David Lammy is the new foreign secretary

  • Wes Streeting, the new health secretary, says "the NHS is broken" and that talks on the junior doctor pay dispute will begin next week

  • Starmer vows to restore trust in politics and build a "government of service", in his first speech as prime minister

  • Rishi Sunak said he would resign as Conservative Party leader, after Labour's landslide victory in the general election

Media caption,

One PM out and another in... the day in 60 seconds

  1. We're pausing our coveragepublished at 00:05 British Summer Time 6 July

    This page has been running since dawn on Thursday, so we're going to give it (and us) a rest.

    Just for a couple of hours, though - we'll be back shortly with a new live stream of updates as Starmer enters his first full day as prime minister. You can find that stream here.

    Here's our latest report from what happened today as Starmer was sworn in, and this is a run-down of who's in his new cabinet.

    We've also got some other great reads, including:

  2. A momentous day comes to an endpublished at 23:58 British Summer Time 5 July

    Barbara Tasch
    Live page editor

    Newly elected Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria outside No 10 Downing StreetImage source, PA Media

    After a landslide victory for Labour - the party holds 412 out of 650 seats in the House of Commons - Sir Keir Starmer became the UK's new prime minister today.

    The Conservatives are left with 121 seats after the worst result in their history.

    We're still waiting on one final result of the election - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, which will begin a recount tomorrow morning. But it will not help the SNP, who has already conceded defeat there, and also had a bad night, losing 38 seats and ending with nine.

    The last 24 hours went better for the Liberal Democrats, who now have 71 MPs, Reform which have five and the Green Party which has four.

    The transition from Sunak to Starmer happened very swiftly, both leaders gave speeches outside 10 Downing Street - with Starmer promising to build a "government of service".

    Starmer then started appointing Labour MPs and peers to 22 key cabinet positions, including a record 11 women.

    "The work of change begins immediately", Starmer said before entering his new home, and this evening we are hearing that the Rwanda scheme - one of the flagship plans of the last government - is effectively over.

    The first cabinet meeting of the new government will take place Saturday morning, and we'll be back with more updates. Thank you very much for joining us today, a day that is certain to be mentioned in history books.

  3. EU head 'looking forward to strengthening cooperation' with Starmerpublished at 23:47 British Summer Time 5 July

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a news conference at the end of European Council in Brussels, Belgium, 28 June 2024.Image source, EPA

    Starmer has been speaking to world leaders this evening and the latest on his to-dial list was President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

    Keir Starmer wished her well in her upcoming parliamentary election and she congratulated him on his election victory, a Downing Street spokeswoman says.

    "The leaders discussed areas of close co-operation between the UK and the EU, including support for Ukraine, climate change and regional security."

    Following the call Von der Leyen released a statement , externalsaying she looked forward to meeting Starmer to discuss how they would "strengthen cooperation and reset the relationship".

  4. Corbyn says result 'not exactly the resounding win' that seats suggestpublished at 23:33 British Summer Time 5 July

    Jeremy Corbyn speaks to the media after he is declared winner of the North Islington Parliamentary seat, in London, BritainImage source, EPA

    Jeremy Corbyn says Labour's victory in the general election is "more about the destruction of the Tory Party" than a resounding win for Labour.

    Corbyn was re-elected as the MP for Islington North last night - but as an independent, beating his former party Labour into second place.

    "I think the result for Labour is not exactly the resounding win that would be indicated by the seats," Corbyn tells Shaun Ley on the BBC's World Tonight.

    "In fact the vote share has gone up by a tiny amount since 2019 and the popular vote is less than in the last two general elections," says the former Labour leader.

    “The results are much more about the destruction of the Tory Party than anything else," says Corbyn - and adds he's concerned whether the new government has “boxed itself in” so it can’t make the economic changes that the country needs.

  5. Behind the Stories: Election night with Sir John Curticepublished at 23:14 British Summer Time 5 July

    The country's most famous polling guru, Professor Sir John Curtice, has been covering elections on TV for 45 years.

    Sometimes jokingly referred to as "the Sultan of swing", Curtice has become an institution of election coverage in the UK.

    We've been hearing his take on exactly what it's like to cover elections.

    He says: "If you can't stand the heat you shouldn't go into the kitchen" and describes his job as:

    Quote Message

    An extremely difficult exercise, highly problematic, highly uncertain. It's essentially about are we understanding what's going on correctly."

    You can watch the short documentary Behind the Stories: Election Night with Sir John Curtice in the video below or on BBC iPlayer.

    Media caption,

    Watch: John Curtice stays awake for 36 hours analysing the election results

  6. Analysis

    An intentional diplomatic shift for UK-Ireland relationspublished at 22:38 British Summer Time 5 July

    Chris Page
    Ireland correspondent

    There are already signs of warming relations between the new government and Dublin, with expectations on both sides of a “reset”.

    The British-Irish relationship was widely seen as fraying during the years after the Brexit referendum.

    Sir Keir Starmer had a phone conversation with his Irish counterpart Simon Harris this evening - and Harris accepted an invitation to visit Downing Street in less than a fortnight’s time.

    The Irish Foreign Minister (Tánaiste) Michéal Martin has also spoken to new Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn.

    Martin says they have agreed to work together on a “path forward” for issues relating to investigations into killings during the conflict in Northern Ireland.

    Dublin had strongly disagreed with the Conservatives’ legislation to grant a conditional amnesty to suspects.

    So the change in tone this early indicates an intentional diplomatic shift.

  7. Local butcher delivered 'election pie' to Sunak's house last nightpublished at 22:25 British Summer Time 5 July

    Nathan Standley
    Education reporter in Northallerton

    Man holding a white chopping board with a pie cut in half inside a butcher shop

    Earlier today we chatted to voters in Rishi Sunak’s constituency of Richmond and Northallerton, as the former PM made his way home from London.

    He’s popular around here, and most people we speak to say they’re happy he’s been re-elected as their MP.

    One of them is Oliver Kitson, of Kitson’s Butchers on Northallerton’s High Street.

    He’s the man behind the “election pie”, a unique creation filled with pork, Stilton cheese and sweet chutney that the butcher delivered specially to the former PM and his team last night to enjoy as the polls closed.

    Sunak is regularly seen around town, and hopefully will be more so, the butcher says, now that he has a bit more time on his hands.

  8. In pictures: The day after the night beforepublished at 22:19 British Summer Time 5 July

    “It was a night of a thousand stories," political editor Chris Mason said this morning, and the same can be said of what unfolded today.

    Let's take a moment to look back on some eye-catching moments from a huge day in British politics:

    Several people looking nervously at a screenImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    The SNP's Alison Thewliss, who was pictured waiting on results in Glasgow, was one of 38 SNP MPs who lost their seats - a result leader John Swinney described as "difficult and damaging"

    Side on picture of Rishi Sunak standing at a lectern giving a speechImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    The moment former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced his intention to resign as Conservative Party leader outside Downing Street this morning

    Keir Starmer and his wife greet crowds on Downing StreetImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Labour activists lined Downing Street as the new Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and his wife Victoria, arrived early this afternoon

    A man shouting and pointing his finger in a theatre.Image source, EPA
    Image caption,

    Reform UK's press conference to set out the next steps of their "political revolt" was interrupted by several hecklers

    A cat asleep in a window, there are black railings in the foreground.Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    And none of this seems to have fazed Larry. Keir Starmer will be the sixth prime minister the Downing Street cat has lived with

  9. Boxes, boxes, boxes - what's next for the new PM?published at 22:05 British Summer Time 5 July

    Rosemary McCabe

    What happens when a new prime minister moves into Downing Street?

    As Sir Keir Starmer begins running the country, he also faces the task of unpacking bags, moving his family in and turning a political powerhouse into a comfortable family home.

    This is no easy feat, especially as the historic residence has been home to so many different families over the years.

    Learn more in our story about what happens on moving day, from getting through the black door to meeting Larry the cat and helping everyone settle in.

    Graphic with images of the Number 10 door, a cat, a policeman, a Downing Street sign and people peering out of a window
  10. Labour is back in Scotland - this is bigpublished at 21:57 British Summer Time 5 July

    Glenn Campbell
    BBC Scotland Political Editor

    Keir Starmer in front of a red backdrop saying Scottish LabourImage source, Getty Images

    For the first time since 2010 Labour has won a national election north of the border, crushing the SNP and bringing to a juddering halt the nationalists' long-running winning streak.

    This is big.

    The SNP successfully persuaded independence supporters to back them in all three Westminster elections in the decade since the 2014 referendum.

    That was an almost unbeatable coalition of support. If anything like 45% of voters side with one party and the others have to share 55% between them - the party of 45% wins.

    This time that link appears to have broken.

  11. Sinn Féin becomes NI's largest Westminster partypublished at 21:48 British Summer Time 5 July

    Davy Wilson and Chris Andrews
    BBC News NI

    Michelle O'NeillImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Sinn Féin's leadership celebrated at the Magherafelt count centre

    As we reported earlier, the largest party across Northern Ireland's councils, Assembly and at Westminster is now Sinn Féin.

    The nationalist party, which does not take its seats in the House of Commons, now has seven seats - the same number as in 2019.

    Its leader, Mary Lou McDonald, has said it's time to "prepare for a new future together on this island".

    The party came out on top after a disappointing night for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) - its eight seats in 2019 have been reduced to five.

    Its most high profile casualty in yesterday's vote was Ian Paisley, who lost the North Antrim seat his father had first won in 1970.

    In Lagan Valley, Sorcha Eastwood of the Alliance Party took the seat which had been held by the former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson since 1997.

  12. Analysis

    Why the appointment of Hermer as attorney general is significantpublished at 21:41 British Summer Time 5 July

    Daniel Sandford
    Home Affairs Correspondent

    The prime minister’s appointment of Richard Hermer KC as attorney general is one of the most legally significant of recent times.

    Hermer was a member of Sir Keir Starmer’s old chambers, Doughty Street Chambers before moving to Matrix Chambers.

    He has brought significant human rights cases against the government including representing Abu Zubaydah in his allegations of UK collusion in torture and representing Kenyans who sued the government for alleged torture in the colonial era.

    His appointment also leaves Emily Thornberry who was shadow attorney general without a job.

    It means a highly-respected lawyer has taken this important legal position, but he is one who has made a career of suing the government.

  13. Bridget Phillipson: The keen runner and Starmer allypublished at 21:33 British Summer Time 5 July

    Hazel Shearing
    Education correspondent

    Bridget Phillipson is a runner. And anyone who has done any running will know the benefits of two things: a lot of training and a trusty canine companion.

    In her race to become education secretary, Phillipson has had the latter sorted in her very adorable Jack Russell, Maisie.

    As for the training, well, it’s clear from what she's said about her own childhood that her vision for education in England has been long in the making.

    She’s spoken about growing up in Washington, Tyne and Wear, with a single mother in poverty.

    She’s praised inspirational teachers at her comprehensive and lamented that she never felt she fitted in at the University of Oxford, where she was the co-chair of the Labour club.

    MP for Houghton and Sunderland South since 2010, Phillipson has stuck with Sir Keir Starmer since he became leader in 2020 – joining his shadow cabinet first as shadow chief secretary to the Treasury and becoming shadow education secretary the following year.

    Her top priorities, she says, are childcare and early years – which makes sense, given her emphasis on her own start in life.

    Phillipson’s race to the cabinet is over. Now it’ll be a race to check off a lengthy to-do list.

  14. Opportunity shouldn't be for 'lucky few', says education secretarypublished at 21:28 British Summer Time 5 July

    Education Secretary Bridget PhillipsonImage source, Reuters

    Newly-appointed Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has said the new Labour government will "break down" barriers to give all children better opportunities.

    Phillipson says "opportunity should be for all - not just a lucky few" and adds the new Labour government would put education at the "heart" of its changes.

    She says children across "too many parts" of the country "don't have the opportunities to succeed" and the government she's part of "will make sure they do".

    "We'll break down those barriers to opportunity through supporting children to get the best start in life, high and rising school standards for all and skills training to support growth, so that everyone can achieve and thrive," Phillipson says.

  15. First time voters cautiously optimistic about Labour futurepublished at 21:22 British Summer Time 5 July

    Pria Rai
    Newsbeat presenter in Leeds

    Maisie Smart and Rosalie Kerr
    Image caption,

    Maisie Smart and Rosalie Kerr are first time voters

    The last time Labour were in power, Maisie Smart and Rosalie Kerr were school kids “doing colouring books”.

    Yesterday, the two students in Leeds cast their vote for the first time and tell BBC Newsbeat “it felt good to actually have a voice”.

    They are hopeful for the future but also cautious about the Labour Party and Sir Keir Starmer as PM.

    “He’s gone back on climate promises and promises to support young people like us,” Rosalie, 21 says.

    “Begrudgingly, we voted for Labour given our opinions on him [Starmer]. But it is the better of the two parties,” Maisie, 20, says.

    “We were happy to vote Labour in terms of what it represents. Things can only get better, but let’s hope they actually do,” Rosalie adds.

  16. The NHS is broken, says Streetingpublished at 21:16 British Summer Time 5 July

    Hugh Pym
    Health editor

    There has been a significant shift in approach at one major department as a result of the change of government.

    In his opening statement the new Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said the stance of his department will change.

    The government will be honest about the challenges facing the country and serious about tackling them, he has said.

    Streeting adds that “from today the policy of this department is that the NHS is broken”.

    He went on to say that he has called the British Medical Association and that talks on the junior doctor pay dispute will begin next week.

    The BMA describes the call as “positive”.

  17. What - and who - could come next for the Tories?published at 21:12 British Summer Time 5 July

    Ione Wells
    Political correspondent

    Rishi Sunak has confirmed he will resign as Tory leader once arrangements are in place to choose his successor.

    There have been murmurings for the last few weeks about whether an interim leader would be appointed to avoid the awkwardness of, for example, the former PM having to do Prime Minister's Questions from the opposition benches.

    Could this be someone who served in the cabinet previously - like Sir Oliver Dowden, James Cleverly, or even Jeremy Hunt, who just about scraped back into the Commons?

    If so, it would probably need to be someone who doesn't actually want to run for leader full time.

    Otherwise, Sunak could stay on until the next Tory leadership contest concludes.

    There are some MPs who have been working behind the scenes for a long time on shoring up their support, including Kemi Badenoch (the bookies' favourite) who is on the right of the party, and Tom Tugendhat, who is more to the centre.

    Former contenders like Suella Braverman and former Sunak ally-turned-critic Robert Jenrick are tipped to run too.

    They both spent time in the Home Office, are on the right of the party, and have criticised the government's record on immigration.

    One interesting thing to note, though, is who the remaining Tory MPs are, and what that might mean for who wins support among the parliamentary party.

  18. Analysis

    British politics changed today, the challenges facing the country have notpublished at 21:03 British Summer Time 5 July

    Chris Mason
    Political editor

    The thrust of Keir Starmer's message was to emphasise a desire for stability, in contrast to the chaos of recent years.

    His huge majority may help deliver that, but doesn't guarantee it. Labour's share of the vote is the lowest won by a post war single party government, suggesting a breadth, not a depth to its support.

    The Conservatives, for so long the Formula 1 car of British politics, finds itself wheels off and up on bricks.

    Its forthcoming leadership race won't have quite the jeopardy of changing driver while in office, but will matter in determining how coherent and effective an opposition to an all powerful new government the Tories can prove to be.

    British politics has changed profoundly today. The challenges for those now leading it have not.

  19. Analysis

    The transfer of power from Conservative to Labour - a rare scene in contemporary Britainpublished at 21:00 British Summer Time 5 July

    Chris Mason
    Political editor

    Today, the brutality of campaigning yielded to the civility of its aftermath. This morning's prime minister and this afternoon's offering each other compliments, not criticisms.

    To stand in Downing Street today, as I have done, was a privilege - to witness something actually quite rare in contemporary British history.

    The transfer of power from Conservative to Labour or Labour to Conservative has only happened four times in the last 45 years - 1979, 1997, 2010 and now 2024.

    Garnishing the choreography of the changing of the prime ministerial guard - the trips to Buckingham Palace, the still images of the prime ministers shaking hands with the monarch - was a splash of partisan stagecraft too.

    Labour activists were brandishing union flags, Welsh flags and the Saltire - and so trying to project an image of a government for all of the UK.

  20. What is Labour promising?published at 20:55 British Summer Time 5 July

    With a resounding victory, Labour says it now has a "clear mandate" to deliver on its promises.

    In its manifesto, Labour says its top priorities are:

    • providing economic stability
    • cutting NHS waiting times
    • stopping people smuggling
    • setting up an energy firm
    • recruiting more police and teachers

    There's a long list of pledges within the manifesto's 142 pages, so we have created a handy interactive guide that sums them up so you can easily digest them.

    Among them are pledges to change the voting age to 16, nationalise passenger railways, fix an extra million potholes in England, build new prisons, push for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, build 1.5 million new homes and cancel the Rwanda scheme.