Rishi Sunak was mocked on stage by a YouTuber following the Conservative Party’s landslide defeat to Labour in the 2024 General Election.
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While Sunak – who will now be replaced as Prime Minster by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer – delivered a post-defeat speech to his constituents in Richmond and Northallerton, YouTube prankster Niko Omilana stood behind him holding a piece of paper with the letter “L” on it.
The prank, which referred to Sunak as a “loser”, was claimed by Omilana shortly after the speech. Taking to social media, where he has over 7.6 million followers, he wrote: “Hold this L rishi, your time is up.”
Omilana was able to make it onto the stage because he stood as an independent candidate in the constituency, winning a total of 160 votes. As he stood behind Sunak, the camera unsuccessfully attempted to cut him out of the shot.
Sunak called the overall result of the general election “a sobering verdict“, adding: “There is much to learn, and I take responsibility for the loss.”
He added: “To the many good, hard-working Conservative candidates who lost tonight, despite their tireless efforts, their local records and delivery, and their dedication to their communities. I am sorry.”
Despite the overall defeat for the Tories, Sunak did manage to retain his seat in Richmond and Northallerton. One former prime minister who failed to do so, however, was Liz Truss. Other high-profile Conservative MPs, including Commons leader Penny Mordaunt, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and former Brexit minister Jacob Rees-Mogg, also lost their seats.
Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer. Credit: Getty Images
“Change begins now,” promised Starmer in his victory speech outside 10 Downing Street.
“It feels good, I have to be honest,” he said. “Four and a half years of work, changing the party. This is what it is for. A changed Labour party, ready to serve our country, ready to restore Britain to the service of working people.”
Starmer went to promise an “age of national renewal” in which Labour would “start to rebuild our country”, but he also acknowledged that change would be difficult.
The Labour leader added that the “sunlight of hope was… shining once again in a country with an opportunity after 14 years to get its future back”.
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