Rishi Sunak has just finished his last speech outside Number 10 Downing Street as prime minister. And, as it (expectedly) turned out, as Tory leader.
After a woeful election performance (for reference, see just about every update in this live blog), Sunak said “sorry” to all the Conservatives who have lost their seats, but also to “the country.”
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 judgement that matters.
I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss.
He also announced his plan to step down as leader of the Conservative Party. Not—as well-connected politicos suggested yesterday—once another leader has been selected, but “once the formal arrangements for selecting my successor are in place.”
This means the Conservatives will have to install an interim leader during what is likely to be an incredibly bitter campaign for (as the candidates will surely put it) ‘the soul of the party.’
Sunak expressed his hope that the party “rebuilds. But also that it takes up its crucial role in Opposition professionally and effectively.”
The outgoing prime minister also made a partial effort to defend his record as prime minister, suggesting that some stability has been returned to the economy and that “our United Kingdom is stronger, too.” He said nothing about pressing social issues, nor about immigration—the topic which has dominated much of this election campaign.
Sunak also wished the incoming PM, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, good luck in the role, saying that “in this job, his successes will be all our successes.” (He still doesn’t understand Labour’s plans for radical and irreversible constitutional change, then.)
He ended by saying that he had been “honoured” to hold the office of prime minister in this, the “best country in the world.”
Sunak is now making his way to Buckingham Palace, where he will offer his resignation as prime minister to King Charles III.
