UK election latest: Starmer hits out at 'mess' left by Tories - and warns 'tough decisions' to come (2024)

By Megan Harwood-Baynes, digital investigations reporter

Political parties spent almost half a million pounds on Facebook and Instagram adverts on polling day, new figures reveal.

Data from Who Targets Me - which has been tracking advertising spending throughout the campaign - found Labour spent the most, shelling out more than £257,000 on Meta platforms alone.

The party also spent £225,000 on Google and YouTube adverts yesterday, compared to a lacklustre £1,300 from the Conservatives.

Data shows Thursday had the biggest one-day digital spend across all parties, with an estimated £1m spent on all platforms.

The Tories had 17 posts across Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and X in the morning alone, but this final rush was not enough to prevent the ensuing Labour landslide.

Watch more here...

Not only have we got a new prime minister, but we'll be getting a new Conservative Party leader too.

Rishi Sunak stepped down this morning following his party's shattering defeat, setting in motion a battle to become the next leader.

So who could be in the running? Our political reporter Tim Bakerhas been through some contenders…

Labour has selected a very predictable cabinet, Jeremy Corbyn has said.

Speaking to Sky News at today's pro-Palestinian march in London, the freshly re-elected Islington North MP dubbed Sir Keir Starmer's new top team "not very exciting".

You can see who's in the cabinet here...

The former Labour leader also called on the prime minister to end British arms sales to Israel and back a ceasefire.

"I would be happy to meet him and give him the benefit of my advice," he said when asked if he would help Sir Keir.

"I'm delighted to see the end of the Tory government," he said, but adding that Labour should not ignore the drop in vote share despite the landslide victory.

"Much of that is probably to do with Gaza," he said, citing Labour difficulties in Muslim communities.

He also commented on the economy - saying growth alone is not enough to move Britain closer to financial equality.

"She cannot continue to accept Tory spending plans and Tory taxation," Mr Corbyn said of Rachel Reeves, the new chancellor.

By Adele Robinson, business correspondent

It's a gloomy and grey morning in Witney town centre.

This dismal July scene provides the perfect metaphor for Conservative sentiment here.

Witney, in Oxfordshire, has been a Tory stronghold for 102 years - and was also the constituency for former prime minister Lord Cameron - but it is now officially no longer a safe seat.

A "Liberal Democrats Winning Here" sign, visible from the roadside, is a nod to the town's newly elected MP.

Charlie Maynard took the seat from the Conservatives, winning 20,832 votes to Robert Courts' 16,493.

Finding someone who voted Conservative in the election, who wants to talk about it, isn't easy.

The first willing to chat is Mark Doig, standing outside the butchers, who describes the Tories as "in a bit of a mess".

"Too many prime ministers", he tells me. "Boris Johnson, Liz Truss - they all did their bit to put the nail in the coffin."

He also says he "might vote Lib Dem" next time.

He adds: "I think the Tories have really blown it, it's going to be difficult to get back."

Another Conservative voter said: "I liked Rishi Sunak - he's a gentleman of politics - but perhaps not tough enough."

It's something a few people have said here - that they like Mr Sunak, but he wasn't a leader.

Watch: General Election round-up

So where do the Conservatives go from here in Witney?

But there's clear disenchantment with the Conservatives in this town and the ballot box was ultimately their protest.

The next Tory leader will need to do something significant to bring back voters.

Even those who remained faithful this time around appear to be slipping away.

Sir Keir Starmer will make clear that there has been a shift in British politics as he embarks on a tour of all four nations of the UK.

The new prime minister will be meeting with the heads of devolved governments, beginning tomorrow in Scotland.

"There has been a mindset change in the way we do government," Sir Keir said ahead of his trip.

"We will do things differently, and together deliver the change that people have voted for.

"Working people in all four nations now have a government of service.’

He will be looking to discuss how the nations can work better together to deliver the change he outlined in his manifesto.

"People across the United Kingdom are bound by shared beliefs. Fundamental values of respect, service and community which define us as a great nation," he said.

"And that begins... with an immediate reset of my government's approach to working with the first and deputy first ministers because meaningful co-operation centred on respect will be key to delivering change across our United Kingdom."

The Tory election strategy was "idiotic" and forced voters into the arms of Labour, Suella Braverman has said in the wake of the worst defeat in Conservative history.

Writing an opinion piece for The Telegraph, the former home secretary said "we failed in office and deserved this result".

"Losing elections has consequences: I regret them, but too many Tories do not," she added.

"People didn't choose Labour, they rejected us."

She said the prime minister and the party employed an "idiotic strategy of intermittently and inconsistently making 'Tory right' noises - which disintegrated when set against our liberal Conservative record".

Ms Braverman is among the favourites to take over as the next Conservative leader, with the defeated Rishi Sunak set to depart, as soon as his successor is chosen.

She retained her seat in Fareham & Waterlooville, but Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK all made gains in vote share.

Moving to the future, Ms Braverman outlined three things the Tories must do before they can win again:

• Restore trust
• Restore credibility
• Restore hope

"We’re not a racist country needing 'decolonisation' and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion)and all the progressive rest of it," she said.

She concluded by noting Nigel Farage's entry to the Commons, saying he "can just say the right things", but "we have to do them".

By Dominic Waghorn, international affairs editor

A new beginning for Britain and suddenly we find ourselves in a world turning itself inside out, posing clear challenges to the incoming Labour government.

The swing to the left in the UK comes just as some of our closest partners appear to be veering in the opposite direction.

After the chaos of right-wing Conservative rule, Britain has embraced the opposite: a left-wing government with a huge majority and a future that looks relatively stable and calm, dare we say it, even quite dull.

You cannot say the same for our neighbours and allies. After years of mocking and deriding the British for losing our political marbles, are our friends overseas now dropping their own?

Read more from Waghorn here...

David Lammy will head to Poland and and Sweden tomorrow, continuing a mini-European tour which began today in Germany.

The new foreign secretary replaced Lord Cameron when he was appointed to Sir Keir Starmer's cabinet yesterday.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "Hitting the ground running, the visit will set the tone for the new foreign policy agenda and the importance of the relationship between the UK and our European allies to tackle shared challenges and increase security.

"Amongst a range of topics, co-operation on NATO and Ukraine will be important areas of discussion."

Sir Keir Starmer has announced further additions to his cabinet.

The King has approved the following appointments...

• Ellie Reeves as minister without portfolio
• Dan Jarvis MBE a Home Office minister
• Jim McMahon OBE as a levelling up minister
• Matthew Pennycook as a levelling up minister
• Douglas Alexander as a business and trade minister
• Jacqui Smith as an education minister
  

Former home secretary Jacqui Smith will also be made a peer, Downing Street announced.

Ms Smith served in Gordon Brown's cabinet.

Sir Keir Starmer and Joe Biden's first phone conversation has been shared on the world leaders' respective Instagram accounts.

The US president shared his congratulations for the newly appointed prime minister, adding "what a hell of a victory".

You can listen to their conversation by clicking the embedded video below...