Science community responds to Labour victory in UK general election

By Julia Robinson2024-07-05T12:50:00

Keir Starmer celebrates with a crowd who are carrying placards that say CHANGE.

Source: © Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

Onlookers hope that a new government will bring an end to the ‘rollercoaster ride’ for the UK’s research system

Science policy observers say that the UK’s research sector will be ‘breathing a sigh of relief’ following the Labour party’s landslide victory in the 2024 UK general election.

The result ends 14 years of Conservative rule and is the worst defeat in the party’s history. With two constituencies yet to declare, the Labour party, led by Keir Starmer, has gained 211 seats to achieve a total of 412, while the Conservatives led by Rishi Sunak have lost 250 seats, leaving them with just 121 members of parliament.