He apologised to the country and Tory candidates and campaigners
Rishi Sunak has confirmed he will be stepping down as leader of the Tory party following their disastrous performance at the general election.
The Tories have experienced their worst ever election loss overnight, losing 250 seats.
In his speech outside Number 10, Sunak announced he would resign as leader of his party, but that this will only happen when formal arrangements for a successor have taken place.
He apologised to the country, saying: “I have heard your anger, disappointment and I take responsibility for this loss.”
Sunak also apologised to candidates and campaigners who have “worked tirelessly”, saying his party has not delivered.
He also thanked them for their efforts, and said he is “pained” by how many colleagues will no longer sit in the House of Commons.
Sunak said he believes the UK is “more prosperous, fairer and resilient than in 2010”.
He went on to pay tribute to the Keir Starmer, describing him as a “decent public-spirited man who I respect.”
Sunak finished by describing the country as the best in the world, saying that one of the most remarkable things about the UK is “how unremarkable it is”.
He highlighted how he had managed to become prime minister within two generations of his grandparents arriving in the country.
Following his speech, Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty made the short trip to Buckingham Palace, where the Tory leader will have an audience with the King to tender his resignation.
Starmer will then travel to the palace, and King Charles will invite him to form a government.
