By Abiola Olawale
United Kingdom’s outgoing Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak has announced his decision to resign as the leader of the Conservative Party.
Sunak made this revelation in his final speech outside 10 Downing Street after a historic election defeat by the Labour Party.
The outgoing prime minister apologised to party members after leading the Conservatives to their worst-ever result.
He revealed that the plan to choose his successor has begun and he would hand it over to the next leader once the arrangements have been made.
He said: “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 have taken responsibility for this loss. To all the Conservative candidates, to the campaigners who worked tirelessly without success, I’m sorry that we cannot deliver what your efforts deserve.
“Following this result, I will step down as party leader not immediately, but we want a formal arrangement for my successor to be in place. It is important that after 14 years in government, the Conservative Party is rebuilt and to take our crucial roles in the opposition professionally and effectively.”
The New Diplomat reports that this comes after the main opposition party of the United Kingdom, the Labour Party won the 2024 General election having polled the 326 seats needed to secure an overall majority in the 650-seat parliament in the early hours of Friday.
