From record-breaking diversity to pro-Gaza support: Five takeaways from the UK elections
Conservative catastrophe
A final humiliation arrived when former prime minister Liz Truss – whose 49-day rule in 2022 was the shortest in UK history – lost her seat.
Record-breaking diversity
Black, Asian and ethnic minority lawmakers will also represent around 13 per cent of the House of Commons, the UK’s lower house – up from 10 per cent.
A historic number of women and people of colour will make up the new parliament. Credit: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
But the proportion still does not fully reflect the diversity of the population and electorate, with around 18 per cent of people in England and Wales identifying as Black, Asian, mixed or ethnic.
That diversity is not expected to be translated to leadership positions in Starmer’s cabinet picks.
Pro-Palestinian swing
Starmer has faced criticism for only gradually shifting towards calling for a ceasefire.
Labour has faced fierce criticism over its position on Gaza. Source: AFP / Justin Tallis / AFP via Getty Images
Four independents have been elected on a pro-Gaza ticket. In Leicester South, Shockat Adam defeated Jonathan Ashworth – who would have been a minister under Starmer – and claimed victory in what had been considered a safe Labour seat.
Jeremy Corbyn is back
Veteran left-winger Jeremy Corbyn returned to the seat he has held since 1983 and has promised to be a thorn in Keir Starmer’s side.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn ran as independent for the first time in his seat of Islington North. Credit: Guy Smallman/Getty Images
It was his first time running as an independent, following a bitter split with Labour.
Corbyn resigned as Labour leader in 2019 before Starmer threw him out of the party altogether less than a year later, accusing him of undermining efforts to tackle antisemitism.
But Corbyn, an ardent pro-Palestinian activist, said his win is a sign of dissatisfaction with Labour and particularly its approach to the war in Gaza.
Scottish nationalists
The results dealt a crippling blow to Scottish nationalists – and with it, to dreams of independence from the UK.
The Scottish National Party was decimated, including candidate Alison Thewliss who lost the seat of Glasgow North. Credit: Andrew Milligan – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images
Just nine MPs from the Scottish National Party (SNP) were returned, compared to 48 in 2019.
With additional reporting by Reuters and AFP.