04:52Mandatory credit: No10 Downing Street
Outgoing UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologised to the British public after suffering a huge loss in Thursday's general election, in his final speech outside Number 10 Downing Street on Friday.
"To the country, I would like to say, first and foremost, I am sorry. I have given this job my all. But you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change and yours is the only judgement that matters," he continued. "I have heard your anger, your disappointment; and I take responsibility for this loss."
Sunak also apologised to his fellow Conservative candidates and campaigners, saying "I am sorry that we could not deliver what your efforts deserved."
The UK leader also listed what he saw as his key achievements, claiming Britain "is safer, stronger, and more secure than it was 20 months ago. And it is more prosperous, fairer, and resilient than it was in 2010."
He also sent his best regards to Keir Starmer of the Labour Party, who will be succeeding him as next prime minister.
"Whatever our disagreements in this campaign, he is a decent, public-spirited man, who I respect. He and his family deserve the very best of our understanding, as they make the huge transition to their new lives behind this door and as he grapples with this most demanding of jobs in an increasingly unstable world," he added.
Sunak said he was honoured to have been a prime minister, stating: "This is the best country in the world and that is thanks entirely to you, the British people, the true source of all our achievements, our strengths, and our greatness. Thank you."
Thursday's general election across the UK saw the opposition Labour Party win more than 400 seats - on 34 percent of the vote - giving it a huge majority in the 650-seat House of Commons.
Sunak's Conservatives were reduced to around 120 seats, as key government figures were voted out. Turnout was at 60 percent.
Labour's Starmer is set to form the next government, with both him and Sunak meeting with King Charles III on Friday to officially mark the handover of power.
'Sorry!' - Outgoing UK PM Sunak takes responsibility for catastrophic election losses in final Downing Street address
Outgoing UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologised to the British public after suffering a huge loss in Thursday's general election, in his final speech outside Number 10 Downing Street on Friday.
"To the country, I would like to say, first and foremost, I am sorry. I have given this job my all. But you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change and yours is the only judgement that matters," he continued. "I have heard your anger, your disappointment; and I take responsibility for this loss."
Sunak also apologised to his fellow Conservative candidates and campaigners, saying "I am sorry that we could not deliver what your efforts deserved."
The UK leader also listed what he saw as his key achievements, claiming Britain "is safer, stronger, and more secure than it was 20 months ago. And it is more prosperous, fairer, and resilient than it was in 2010."
He also sent his best regards to Keir Starmer of the Labour Party, who will be succeeding him as next prime minister.
"Whatever our disagreements in this campaign, he is a decent, public-spirited man, who I respect. He and his family deserve the very best of our understanding, as they make the huge transition to their new lives behind this door and as he grapples with this most demanding of jobs in an increasingly unstable world," he added.
Sunak said he was honoured to have been a prime minister, stating: "This is the best country in the world and that is thanks entirely to you, the British people, the true source of all our achievements, our strengths, and our greatness. Thank you."
Thursday's general election across the UK saw the opposition Labour Party win more than 400 seats - on 34 percent of the vote - giving it a huge majority in the 650-seat House of Commons.
Sunak's Conservatives were reduced to around 120 seats, as key government figures were voted out. Turnout was at 60 percent.
Labour's Starmer is set to form the next government, with both him and Sunak meeting with King Charles III on Friday to officially mark the handover of power.
Mandatory credit: No10 Downing Street
Outgoing UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologised to the British public after suffering a huge loss in Thursday's general election, in his final speech outside Number 10 Downing Street on Friday.
"To the country, I would like to say, first and foremost, I am sorry. I have given this job my all. But you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change and yours is the only judgement that matters," he continued. "I have heard your anger, your disappointment; and I take responsibility for this loss."
Sunak also apologised to his fellow Conservative candidates and campaigners, saying "I am sorry that we could not deliver what your efforts deserved."
The UK leader also listed what he saw as his key achievements, claiming Britain "is safer, stronger, and more secure than it was 20 months ago. And it is more prosperous, fairer, and resilient than it was in 2010."
He also sent his best regards to Keir Starmer of the Labour Party, who will be succeeding him as next prime minister.
"Whatever our disagreements in this campaign, he is a decent, public-spirited man, who I respect. He and his family deserve the very best of our understanding, as they make the huge transition to their new lives behind this door and as he grapples with this most demanding of jobs in an increasingly unstable world," he added.
Sunak said he was honoured to have been a prime minister, stating: "This is the best country in the world and that is thanks entirely to you, the British people, the true source of all our achievements, our strengths, and our greatness. Thank you."
Thursday's general election across the UK saw the opposition Labour Party win more than 400 seats - on 34 percent of the vote - giving it a huge majority in the 650-seat House of Commons.
Sunak's Conservatives were reduced to around 120 seats, as key government figures were voted out. Turnout was at 60 percent.
Labour's Starmer is set to form the next government, with both him and Sunak meeting with King Charles III on Friday to officially mark the handover of power.