Latvia's top official congratulate Labour Party leader Starmer on victory in UK elections

RIGA - Latvia's top officials congratulate Labour Party leader Keir Starmer on his victory in the UK general elections.

Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) wrote in her Twitter account that she looks forward to working together to strengthen bilateral ties between the UK and Latvia, NATO, regional security and cooperation in Europe.

Meanwhile, President Edgars Rinkevics underlines that Latvia and Great Britain are like-minded friends and allies. He also looks forward to working closely together, promoting bilateral relations and addressing the many challenges facing the world and Europe.

The AFP news agency reports that Keir Starmer on Friday will become Britain's new prime minister, as his center-left opposition Labour party swept to a landslide general election victory, ending 14 years of right-wing Conservative rule.

"The Labour Party has won this general election, and I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory," a sombre-looking Rishi Sunak said after he was re-elected to his seat.

"Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner with goodwill on all sides," the Tory leader added, calling the results "sobering" and saying he took responsibility for the defeat.

Labour raced past the 326 seats needed to secure an overall majority in the 650-seat parliament at 0400 GMT, with the final result expected later on Friday morning.

An exit poll for UK broadcasters published after polls closed at 2100 GMT on Thursday put Labour on course for a return to power for the first time since 2010, with 410 seats and a 170-seat majority.

The Tories would only get 131 seats in the House of Commons -- a record low -- with the right-wing vote apparently spliced by Nigel Farage's anti-immigration Reform UK party.

In another boost for the centrists, the smaller opposition Liberal Democrats ousted the Scottish National Party as the third-biggest party.

Sunak will tender his resignation to head of state King Charles III, with the monarch then asking Starmer, as the leader of the largest party in parliament, to form a government.