THE Archbishops of Canterbury and York have congratulated Sir Keir Starmer on the Labour Party’s landslide victory within the General Election.
The Labour Party has won 412 seats, the Conservative Party 121 seats, the Liberal Democrats 71, the SNP nine, Reform UK 4, the Green Party 4, and other parties 27.
Early on Friday morning, Rishi Sunak conceded defeat. In a speech given after having been elected MP for the brand new constituency of Richmond and Northallerton, he said: “The Labour Party has won this General Election, and I actually have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory. Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner, with good will on all sides. That is something that ought to give us all confidence in our country’s stability and future.”
Mr Sunak went on to say: “I take responsibility for the loss.” Speaking in Downing Street a bit of later, he announced that he would step down as party leader, “not immediately, but once the formal arrangements for choosing my successor are in place”.
Shortly after Mr Sunak conceded defeat, Sir Keir addressed supporters in London: “We did it!. . . Four and a half years of labor changing the party. This is what it’s for: a modified Labour Party, able to serve our country, able to restore Britain to the service of working people.”
Christians on the Left reported that 19 of its members had been elected as Labour MPs for the primary time, and that each one of its members who were sitting MPs had been re-elected.
Newly elected Labour MPs who’re members of the group include: Dr Anna Dixon, a former co-chair of the Archbishops’ Reimagining Care Commission and a former churchwarden of Christ Church, Highbury, in north London (Features, 23 June 2023) (Shipley); Dan Tomlinson (Chipping Barnet); David Smith (North Northumberland); and Juliet Campbell (Broxtowe).
Christians on the Left members who were re-elected included Bridget Philippson, a Roman Catholic, who held Houghton and Sunderland South. She is prone to be appointed Education Secretary having held the shadow temporary. Also Wes Streeting, an Anglican, who was re-elected to serve Ilford North, albeit by just 528 votes. He is prone to be Health Secretary, having served as shadow in opposition.
Members of the Conservative Christian Fellowship fared less well. Steve Baker (Features, 29 April 2022) lost the seat of Wycombe, which he had held since 2010, to Labour; and Fiona Bruce, who has been the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (News, 1 January 2021), lost the seat of Congleton, also to Labour.
Archbishop Welby said in an announcement on Friday morning: “My warmest congratulations to our latest Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and my prayers for you and your loved ones as you’re taking on this role of great responsibility for our country. I thank Rishi Sunak and the outgoing Government for his or her service.
“I also give thanks today for our democracy, and for the peaceful and orderly transition of power it gives us. I pray for our latest Government entering office; for its members to have humility, wisdom, and integrity as they start their latest roles.”
Archbishop Cottrell wrote on social media: “Warm congratulations to our latest Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. Offering prayers as you’re taking on this role, and for the well being of the nation you’ll lead.”
There at the moment are no Conservative MPs in central London. The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, offered her “prayers and best wishes” to Sir Keir, “as he prepares to tackle the responsibility of leading the brand new Government. I’m also praying for Rishi Sunak for his service over these past years.”
She continued: “For many, today might be a day of celebration; for others, sadness. We must remember the courage it takes to face for one’s beliefs and treat people who do with kindness and compassion, whether we agree with them or not. Here, within the capital, I sit up for welcoming and dealing with the numerous latest MPs elected amongst the communities of the diocese of London.”
The Bishop of Newcastle, Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, congratulated all who were elected MPs in constituencies in her diocese, and offered commiserations to those that had lost. “Thank you on your service. Now let’s crack on with the work on this incredible north-east region, with hope and vision,” she wrote on X.
The Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker, also congratulated those that had been elected to serve constituencies in his diocese. “I sit up for working with you in our shared look after all of the individuals who live in our patch, and to seeing you in Westminster very soon,” he wrote.
In Wales, the Conservatives lost all of their seats: Labour now holds 32 seats, Plaid Cymru, 4, and the Liberal Democrats, one.
The Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Andrew John, in an announcement on Friday morning, referred to the “momentous responsibility” of presidency, and said that he was “praying for our latest administration and opposition”.
He continued: “The Church in Wales will proceed to work alongside all who promote the Christian values of selfless service and look after the vulnerable. We urge our latest government to take care of the big challenges of climate change, to construct a secure and secure future, and to work towards a good and just society.”
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has written to Sir Keir to congratulate him on his party’s victory. “The Catholic Church has an extended record of partnership with the UK Government, not least in the realm of education where we run over two thousand schools along with the state,” he wrote. “We sit up for this continuing, and to working constructively on this and other areas with you, your ministers, and officials.
“Your previous comments about wanting a Government which works with churches and faith communities have been most welcome, and I would like you to know that we stand able to play our part.”
The chief executive of Christians Against Poverty, Stewart McCulloch (Podcast, 14 June), called on the brand new Government to tackle poverty as “a matter of public urgency”.
“My message to all politicians is come and . . . visit considered one of our local debt centres and listen to from our clients who’ve personal experience of living in debt and poverty. Hear in regards to the enormous struggles and challenges they’re facing and take heed to the way you might help make a difference.”
The director of CAFOD, Christine Allen, said that the brand new Government was taking power “at a critical time of growing global inequality and multiple crises, each domestically and internationally”.
She continued: “We face a world debt crisis with three billion people living in nations where debt payments exceed their spending on education and health. The Labour Party has a robust tradition of motion on global debt: they answered the decision of the Jubilee yr in 2000 as we hope they are going to do for the Jubilee yr 2025 by supporting fair debt settlements through UK law.”
She also said that CAFOD would seek to work with the Government to alleviate the famine in Sudan and the conflict in Gaza.
On Friday morning, Mr Sunak went to Buckingham Palace to tell the King of his resignation, after which, the King formally invited Sir Keir to form a government and turn into Prime Minister.
Sir Keir will appoint his latest Cabinet over the subsequent few days. Members of the House of Commons might be sworn in next week over the course of several days, before the State Opening of Parliament on the morning of Wednesday 17 July. The election of the Speaker of the Commons this coming Tuesday might be presided over by the brand new Father of the House, Jeremy Corbyn.
