Labour Party Wins in UK: Keir Starmer to be the New PM; What It Means for India

With his center-left Labour Party expected to win an adequate majority in the legislative election, Keir Starmer is expected to take over as prime minister of the United Kingdom.

With this win, the 14-year Conservative government reign—which has been characterized by repeated upheavals—will come to an end. The polls showed a decisive loss for Rishi Sunak's party.

What is the Current status?

From the 650 seats in parliament, Labour has already won a total of 407 seats as of now, and an exit poll suggests that the party will likely win about 410 seats overall. The counting of votes is still in progress, but the Starmer led Labour Party has already crossed the maginc number of 326. The Conservative party has won 119 seats till now.

After winning back his seat in north London, 61-year-old Starmer spoke to his supporters and declared,  "The change begins right here because this is your democracy, your community and your future. You have voted and now it is time for us to deliver."

The following is the list of important cabinet ministers of Conservative Party that were unable to save their seats:

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India’s Past Feud with Labour Party

The potential return of the Labour Party to power brings back memories of strained India-UK relations in the late 1990s. During this period, a visit by Queen Elizabeth II to India, intended to mark the 50th anniversary of India’s Independence, turned controversial. The visit was marred by several diplomatic missteps:

• Robin Cook's Mediation Offer: The British Foreign Secretary at the time, Robin Cook, offered to mediate on the Kashmir issue during a stopover in Pakistan. This was promptly dismissed by the then Indian Prime Minister, Inder Kumar Gujral, who criticized Britain’s perceived overestimation of its influence.
• Jallianwala Bagh Controversy: The visit aimed to express regret over the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. However, Prince Philip’s comment questioning the death toll sparked outrage in India, overshadowing the intended gesture of reconciliation.

Starmers’s Stance on India

While these historical events created a legacy of mistrust, it is unlikely that the return of Labour will open old wounds.

Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, has promised a "new strategic partnership" with India, which includes pursuing a free trade agreement. This commitment suggests a significant effort to strengthen and deepen bilateral ties between the two nations.

What does it Mean for India?

If the Labour Party comes into power, India can expect several potential benefits:

• Enhanced Bilateral Trade: The pursuit of a free trade agreement could significantly boost economic ties and open up new opportunities for both countries.
• Strategic Partnership: A "new strategic partnership" could lead to greater collaboration in areas such as technology, defense, education, and climate change.
• Stability in Relations: Starmer’s proactive stance in addressing past issues and fostering goodwill indicates a stable and constructive bilateral relationship moving forward.

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