Landslide victory for Labour with Sir Keir Starmer to be new prime minister

Sir Keir Starmer will be the next prime minister of the United Kingdom after leading the Labour Party to a landslide general election victory, with the Conservative Party losing two-thirds of their MPs.

"Change begins now," Starmer said in his first speech after the result was officially announced. 

The Conservatives haemorrhaged MPs through the night and outgoing prime minister Rishi Sunak admitted defeat, congratulating Starmer and saying the British people had delivered a "sobering verdict" on his party.

Later in a speech on Downing Street, Sunak announced he will step down as party leader once the formal arrangements for selecting his successor are in place.

The best price for a Labour victory had been 1-100 and there was no shock in what proved to be a one-horse race, although the Conservatives outperformed the worst polls. The Liberal Democrats soared to over 70 MPs in an excellent evening for Sir Ed Davey's party.

For years racing has dealt with a Conservative government, but it will now have to forge ties with a Labour Party led by Starmer. A new-look House of Commons will also be without many of the sport's long-standing allies.

Last week, Starmer responded to a question about the political betting scandal surrounding Conservative candidates and officials by declaring he "only bet on the horses".

His wife Victoria is a fan of horseracing and he has attended fixtures as a racegoer, including the Derby at Epsom last year and previously the St Leger at Doncaster.

Speaking to the Racing Post before the general election, Starmer said: "My wife Vic has horseracing in her blood. Her mum was born and brought up in Doncaster, and her nan lived on the edge of the racecourse. She used to go all the time as a child. So it’s no surprise that the largest photograph in our kitchen at home is of a close finish at the Doncaster races.

"Racing has long been a part of British life. Iconic events like Royal Ascot and the Grand National are watched by millions each year, at home and abroad. It supports thousands of jobs and makes a significant contribution to our economy."

Sir Keir Starmer and wife Victoria celebrate at Tate ModernCredit: Ricky Vigil

The long-term health of the sport is significantly impacted by events in parliament and new hands will steer the direction of travel in key areas such as the levy, gambling reform and equine welfare.

Although racing did not feature in Labour's election manifesto, gambling did and it remains to be seen how Labour will approach key issues such as affordability checks and advertising.

In the manifesto, Labour said it is "committed to reducing gambling-related harm", adding: "Recognising the evolution of the gambling landscape since 2005, Labour will reform gambling regulation, strengthening protections. We will continue to work with the industry on how to ensure responsible gambling."

Racing has been accused of failing to establish ties with a possible incoming Labour government, but the BHA responded by saying it has "engaged extensively" with the party.

While Sunak held on to his seat, which includes Catterick racecourse and the training hub of Middleham, some big names in the Conservative party lost on a damaging night.

Culture secretary Lucy Frazer, who had oversight in key areas such as gambling and levy reform, lost the Ely and East Cambridgeshire seat to the Liberal Democrats. The constituency is home to several major breeding operations, including the National Stud, as well as Newmarket's July course and several training yards.

Wigan MP Lisa Nandy was appointed culture secretary in the new government — and, barring a reassignment of departmental responsibilities, will therefore oversee gambling and sport policy — after the shadow Labour minister Thangam Debbonaire lost her seat in Bristol to the Green Party.

Conservative MP Laura Farris lost her Newbury seat, which includes Lambourn, to the Liberal Democrats, while Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) and Philip Davies (Shipley) – both vocal supporters of racing on the Conservative benches – lost their seats to the Lib Dems and Labour respectively. The Sun reported last month that Davies had placed an £8,000 bet on himself to lose.

Read more like this

What happened in the key seats for horseracing in the general election? 

Labour leader Keir Starmer: British racing 'makes a significant contribution to our economy' 

It's looking like a landslide - but just what would a Labour government mean for racing? 

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