What happens when there’s a change of government?

Labour have won the 2024 general election which means there will be a lot of change happening over the next 24 hours.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak will be replaced by Sir Keir Starmer, who is the leader of the Labour party.

But how does this happen and what happens next?

Meetings with the King

Rishi Sunak will have to leave 10 Downing Street, where he's expected to make a final speech.

He'll then travel to Buckingham Palace where he'll hand his resignation to the King, telling him he's stepping down as prime minister.

The King will also meet with Sir Keir Starmer where he will formally be appointed and asked to form a government.

Later, he'll make a speech outside 10 Downing Street for the first time as prime minister.

Inside 10 Downing Street

It's tradition for the new prime minister to be greeted by the Cabinet Secretary - the most senior civil servant in the UK - and be clapped by No.10 staff in the corridor.

Civil servants mainly work for government departments and report to ministers.

They are different to MPs and are not associated with different parties.

Civil servants will then brief the new prime minister and new ministers on things like security and intelligence.

Appointing government ministers

As calls from leaders across the world will be coming in for Sir Keir Starmer, he'll first need to choose his cabinet.

The cabinet is a team of senior ministers in the government chosen by the prime minister to lead specific areas like health, defence and the environment.

There'll be lots of MPs coming and going from Downing Street when this is happening.

If you think a weekend will be a nice break for the new prime minister - think again!

Sir Keir Starmer will be hard at work having even more briefings from advisors, working out his policy priorities and taking more phone calls.

Newly elected MPs will meet in Westminster on 9 July where the House of Commons will meet for the first time.

The Speaker of the House of Commons must be elected before MPs are sworn in, taking an oath.

The King will then formally open parliament with the King's Speech which will take place on 17 July.