Labour congratulated by Jersey Chief Minister

Keir Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer will take over from Rishi Sunak as the UK's prime minister [Reuters]

The Chief Minister has congratulated the Labour Party on its "resounding victory".

Past and former UK party members living in Jersey have responded to the results of the General Election.

The Labour Party secured a landslide win overnight with Sir Keir Starmer set to take over from Rishi Sunak as the UK's prime minister.

The Tories are set for the worst result in their history - so far losing more than 250 seats.

Deputy Lyndon Farnham said Jersey had "worked closely and collaboratively with consecutive Conservative governments" and that he looked forward to "building a close and productive working relationship with the Labour government".

Jersey's Reform party leader Sam Mezec was contacted for comment.

Robert McDowall
Robert McDowall said the Conservative Party would be having a "long reflective post-mortem" [BBC]

Robert McDowall, a member of the Conservative Party living in Jersey, said the results were "very bad".

He said: "Labour has done very well but only with a slightly increased vote... we have to accept these things with good grace.

"The party has to realign itself and really has to take notice of a substantial Reform vote - there will be a long reflective post-mortem I'm sure."

Mr McDowall suggested the Labour party could now have a close look at its relationship with the Channel Islands.

He said: "I think since Brexit and other things I think the Crown Dependencies are being drawn closer to the UK whether they like it or not.

"I think that'll be an interesting debate over the next five years."

'It will be interesting'

Jersey solicitor Rose Colley was a Liberal Democrat councillor when she lived in the UK. She said she was "incredibly happy" with the results the party achieved and that the Lib Dems would be pushing the new leaders.

She said: "I think the Lib Dems on many of Labour policies will, if anything, probably push from the left. There has to be reform of the NHS. Things clearly need to be done.

"I think the state of some of these schools is pretty dire so I think on those sorts of issues the Lib Dems will be pushing very hard particularly on the issue of social care for the elderly. It's just so important.

"It will be interesting because with 70+ seats they will have an impact in the House of Commons."

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