Live

General Election LIVE: Cabinet minister claims he won £2k on election day bet

25 June 2024, 06:56 | Updated: 26 June 2024, 07:04

Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack arrives in Downing Street on May 07, 2024
Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack arrives in Downing Street on May 07, 2024. Picture: Getty

By Josef Al Shemary

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has admitted to placing three bets on the date of the general election, as the Westminster gambling scandal deepens yet again.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Welcome to LBC's General Election live blog.

Key Highlights

  • Labour wins General Election in a landslide as Conservatives see worst defeat in history.
  • Rishi Sunak conceded the election around 4:40am as cabinet casualties built up through the night.
  • Sir Keir formally appointed Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace before making his first speech at Downing Street. 
  • Labour leader pledges to put 'country first, party second'. 
  • Outgoing Prime Minister apologises to nation in final speech outside Downing Street. 
  • Former Prime Minister Liz Truss loses to Labour in Norfolk South West.
  • Eleven Conservative ministers lost their seats including Penny Mordaunt, Alex Chalk, Grant Shapps, and Gillian Keegan.
  • Gains for Reform as Nigel Farage wins in Clacton and Reform UK's Richard Tice, Lee Anderson, and Rupert Lowe also pick up seats.
  • Sir Keir announces his new cabinet, with Angela Rayner, Rachel Reeves and David Lammy among those appointed to the PM's top team. 

Starmer speaks to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen

The Prime Minister wished Ms Von der Leyen well in her upcoming parliamentary election and she congratulated him on his election victory, a Downing Street spokeswoman said. 

 "The leaders discussed areas of close co-operation between the UK and the EU, including support for Ukraine, climate change and regional security.

"The Prime Minister and president emphasised the importance of the unique relationship between the UK and EU in addressing these challenges. 

 "They agreed to stay in close contact and looked forward to meeting in person soon."

Starmer and Irish premier Simon Harris commit to reset and strengthen relations "with urgency and ambition"

The Taoiseach "warmly congratulated" Sir Keir on his appointment and said he looked forward to having a "close and constructive" working relationship. 

Mr Harris also accepted an invite to visit Sir Keir at Downing Street on July 17. 

 "The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister spoke of their shared determination to reset and strengthen the bilateral relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom and to set about that task with urgency and ambition. 

 "They discussed Northern Ireland, welcoming the restoration of the Institutions, including the full operation of North South and East West Good Friday Agreement institutions, as well as legacy issues."

Education Sec Bridget Phillipson vows to break down barriers to give children better opportunities

Ms Phillipson said: "Opportunity should be for all - not just a lucky few. That's why education is at the heart of the change this new government will make and will be at the forefront of national life. 

 "Education is key to improving children's life chances. Lives are shaped by opportunity but too many people of all ages, in too many parts of this great country, simply don't have the opportunities to succeed - this Government will make sure they do. 

 "We'll break down those barriers to opportunity through supporting children to get the best start in life, high and rising school standards for all and skills training to support growth, so that everyone can achieve and thrive. 

 "Government can't do this alone. From day one we will reset the relationship between government, families and our education workforce; our dedicated teachers and school staff, early years staff, university and college professionals and social workers. 

"Education will be at the heart of our national story, and it's our workforces who are at the heart of education."

Starmer speaks to first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Starmer reaffirms 'unwavering support for Ukraine' in call with Zelenskyy

The Ukrainian president tweeted: "I was pleased to speak with Keir Starmer on the day of his appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. 

"I congratulated Sir Keir Starmer on his election victory and wished him success in fulfilling the British people's expectations of the new government. 

"I am grateful to Prime Minister Starmer for reaffirming the UK's principled and unwavering support for Ukraine. 

"We coordinated positions ahead of the NATO Summit in Washington and other international events, as well as discussed ways to strengthen our partnership, including the preparation of an unprecedented 100-year partnership agreement between Ukraine and the UK."

James Timpson appointed Prisons Minister

James Timpson OBE of Timpson shoe repairs will also be made a peer as well as Minister of State for Prisons, Parole and Probation in the Ministry of Justice. 

 He has advocated for employing former prisoners.

Sir Patrick Vallance appointed Science Minister

Sir Patrick Vallance, who was chief scientific adviser to the government during the Covid-19 pandemic, has been appointed a Minister of State for science in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. He will also be made a peer. 

 Sir Patrick has backed Labour's flagship manifesto pledge to set up a publicly owned energy firm. 

More Cabinet appointments

Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Sir Alan Campbell as chief whip and Darren Jones as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. 

Barrister Richard Hermer KC will become Attorney General rather than Emily Thornberry, who was shadow attorney general when Labour was in opposition. 

 They will all attend Cabinet and Mr Hermer will become a lifetime peer, Downing Street said.

President Biden congratulates Keir Starmer

US President Joe Biden has congratulated Sir Keir Starmer on his appointment to PM.

He tweeted: "Congratulations to Prime Minister Keir Starmer on becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. 

"I look forward to our shared work in support of freedom and democracy around the world, and to further strengthening the special relationship between our two countries."

Baroness Smith appointed Lord Privy Seal and Leader of House of Lords

Baroness Smith of Basildon has been appointed Lord Privy Seal, and Leader of the House of Lords.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Israeli troops near the buffer zone between Syria and Israel in the Golan Heights, as the military also bombed Damascus

Israel to set up 'sterile defensive zone' in Syria as it brands reports IDF tanks are approaching Damascus 'fake news'

Breaking
Tom Voyce in action for England

Former England rugby star Tom Voyce feared dead after his car went into river during Storm Darragh

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

US says it will support new Syria leaders who protect women and reject terrorism

Christopher Stockton guilty of murdering his girlfriend's 22-month-old son Charlie Roberts

Step-father who shook baby to death after staying up late playing computer games guilty of murder

Terumi Tanaka speaking on stage

Japanese survivor of atomic bomb recalls horrors in Nobel Peace Prize speech

Prince William spoke about his Christmas plans as he gave out presents to children of soldiers at Picton Barracks

Prince William reveals family Christmas plans - but admits he's "not ready"

David Andrews has been jailed

'Heinous' paedophile posed as a boy online to threaten and manipulate dozens children into sexual activity

A man holding up two nooses in Saydnaya prison

Thousands flock to Assad regime prison in search for missing loved ones

Kim Yong Hyun making a speech

South Korean court issues arrest warrant for former defence minister

Croydon Stabbing

Schoolgirl, 15, begged attacker to ‘stop’ as she was knifed to death in street in row over ‘teddy bear,’ court hears

59 cars in total will face the tax hike

Full list of 59 cars facing £2,745 tax hike revealed as Ford, BMW and Toyota impacted

Donald Tusk gesturing as he makes a speech

Negotiations over war in Ukraine could begin ‘in the winter’, says Tusk

Former human rights lawyer Phil Shiner outside Southwark Crown Court

Former human rights lawyer Phil Shiner avoids jail over fraud linked to cases against British soldiers

Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed speaking in the House of Commons against calls to introduce legislation to ban first-cousin marriage in the UK.

MP speaks out against plans to ban first-cousin marriage as he claims intermarriage can 'help build family bonds'

New picture emerges of Ivy League ‘assassin’ accused of killing US healthcare CEO removing mask to eat hash brown before his arrest

Caught while eating a hash brown: Pictures show healthcare chief's 'assassin' in McDonald's, moments before arrest

Israeli soldiers standing next to an armoured vehicle

Israel launches airstrikes across Syria as troops seize more territory