Millions of British voters went to their local polling stations on July 4 to have their voices heard in the General Election.

For those who might not be familiar with British politics, this General Election was the first since 2019 and early polls suggested that power would change hands.

The Conservative government was elected back in 2010, albeit needing to form a coalition with the Liberal Democrats at the time.

The elections in 2015, 2017, and 2019 saw the Tories hold onto power with a growing majority.

But the time between 2019 and 2024 has been anything but smooth sailing, with the Conservative government having to tackle both the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

They have been plagued with accusations of partying during lockdown and mismanaging the country at a time when people are struggling.

With this in mind, early polls suggested that voters were open to a change of government, with some reports saying that Labour was set to gain the biggest majority of votes since 1832.

Who was on the ballot papers?

Each ballot paper was different as hundreds of candidates aimed to get a seat in the House of Commons for their respective parties, but the main parties were all competing to gain a majority.

As previously mentioned, the Conservatives have been in power since 2010 and were aiming to become the first modern-day party to claim victory in five consecutive general elections.

Rishi Sunak led the Tories into this campaign and made headlines when he revealed that they would bring back National Service for all 18-year-olds.

The full Conservative Manifesto can be found HERE.

Sir Keir Starmer was hoping to become the first Labour Prime Minister since Gordon Brown in 2010 - and the polls were always in his favor.

The Labour Manifesto, titled "Change", centered around improving economic growth and improving living standards.

The full Labour Manifesto can be found HERE.

The Liberal Democrats continued to try to regain trust after breaking their promise over a decade ago not to increase tuition fees.

Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, arguably had the most fun while campaigning as he was seen bungee jumping and tackling obstacle courses.

One thing that the Lib Dems are keen on is restoring the relationship between the UK and the EU.

The full Liberal Democrat Manifesto can be found HERE.

Reform UK is the new kid on the block, but at the helm is Nigel Farage, who has become a familiar face in British politics.

Reform's pledges, which were laid out in a "contract" rather than a manifesto, largely focused on immigration, and drastically reducing the number of illegal immigrants who settle in the UK.

Reform also stated that they would scrap net-zero targets, which sparked a wave of backlash from those concerned about the environment.

The full Reform "Contract" can be found HERE.

The SNP (Scottish National Party) largely focused its attention on gaining independence for Scotland, and as a result of this, rejoining the EU.

John Swinney’s party also called for mass investment into the NHS.

The full SNP Manifesto can be found HERE.

The Green Party, co-led by Adrian Ramsay and Carla Denyer, would introduce an additional tax on multimillionaires and billionaires, with the aim of raising between £30-70 billion to help fund improvements to health, housing, transport, and the green economy.

The Greens would also seek to rejoin the EU.

The full Green Party Manifesto can be found HERE.

Plaid Cymru was seeking out "fairness for Wales", with a focus on getting more power away from Westminster and into the Welsh government.

The full Plaid Cymru Manifesto can be found HERE.

In Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein stated that the UK Government "must set a date for a referendum on Irish unity."

The DUP wants to remove trade barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Some former members of Parliament opted to run for this election as an independent, such as former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

According to an exit poll for the BBC, Labour is set to receive a sweeping victory in the general election, projected to secure a majority of 170 seats.

If accurate, this forecast would see Sir Keir Starmer becoming prime minister with 410 Labour MPs, nearing Tony Blair's 1997 record.

The Conservatives are expected to drop to 131 MPs, marking their lowest number in post-war history.

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Boris Johnson has resigned as the leader of the Conservative Party.

BBC News reports that Johnson will resign eventually as UK Prime Minister, but that he will continue to serve as PM until the autumn, when a new Tory leader will be chosen.

In his leaving address outside of number 10 Downing Street, Johnson said: "I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world... But them's the breaks."

"I've agreed with Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of our backbench MPs, that the process of choosing that new leader should begin now and the timetable will be announced next week," Johnson said. "And I've today appointed a Cabinet to serve, as I will, until a new leader is in place."

He also thanked his wife Carrie and their children for their support.

"Above all, I want to thank you, the British public, for the immense privilege you have given me," he added.

Johnson also sent a message of support to the people of Ukraine and vowed that the UK will continue to support their fight against Russia.

He concluded his address to the public by saying: "Being prime minister is an education in itself - I've traveled to every part of UK and I've found so many people possessed of such boundless British originality and so willing to tackle old problems in new ways.

"Even if things can sometimes seem dark now, our future together is golden."

The 58-year-old's resignation comes after a wake of resignations in the Conservative party.

Earlier this week, Johnson's credibility was hit following the resignation of two of his top cabinet members, former health secretary Sajid Javid and chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Per The Guardian, both emphasized a lack of leadership in Downing Street, with Javid writing: "We may not have always been popular but we have been competent in acting in the national interest. Sadly, in the current circumstances, the public are concluding that we are now neither."

He added: "The vote of confidence last month showed that a large number of our colleagues agree. It was a moment for humility, grip and new direction. I regret to say, however, that it is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership – and you have therefore lost my confidence too."

In his resignation letter, Sunak wrote: "The public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously. I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning."

Sunak added: "In preparation for our proposed joint speech on the economy next week, it has become clear to me that our approaches are fundamentally too different. I am sad to be leaving Government but I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that we cannot continue like this."

What followed was a slew of resignations from Conservative ministers, with BBC News reporting that more than resignations from the government and party exceeded 50 on Thursday (July 7).

Johnson's newly appointed chancellor Nadhim Zahawi then also made a public call for the PM to resign, writing: "My number one priority has and always will be this great country. When asked to become Chancellor, I did it out of loyalty. Not to a man, but loyalty to this country and all it has given me."

Zahawi added: "Yesterday, I made clear to the prime minister alongside my colleagues in Number 10 that there was only one direction where this was going, and that he should leave with dignity. Out of respect, and in the hopes that he would listen to an old friend of 30 years, I kept this counsel private.

"I am heartbroken that he hasn’t listened and that he is now undermining the incredible achievements of this Government at this late hour. No one will forget getting Brexit done, keeping a dangerous antisemite out of No10, our handling of COVID and our support for Ukraine in its hour of need.

"But the country deserves a government that is not only stable, but which acts with integrity."

The Tory rebellion kicked off on Tuesday after Downing Street confirmed that Johnson was aware of allegations of sexual misconduct against the former Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher in 2019 - but decided to appoint him to the ministerial position in February regardless.

Pincher resigned from the post last week following allegations that he groped two men at a private members' club in London.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Johnson apologized for appointing the disgraced politician.

Per NPR, he said: "I think it was a mistake and I apologize for it. In hindsight, it was the wrong thing to do.

"I apologize to everybody who has been badly affected by it. I want to make absolutely clear that there’s no place in this government for anybody who is predatory or who abuses their position of power."

Minutes later, Javid and Sunak announced their respective resignations.

Johnson's resignation also comes one month after he survived a vote of no confidence from his party - clinging on with a majority vote of 211 to 148.

The former Prime Minister has faced increasing scrutiny in recent months, after photos of him were leaked to the press showing Johnson attending events with staff during periods of strict lockdown measures.

The scandal - known as "Partygate" - saw Johnson issue an apology to the public, saying: "I want to apologize. […] With hindsight, I should have sent everyone back inside."

It also led to him being issued with a fixed penalty notice for attending lockdown parties - thus, becoming the first sitting UK Prime Minister to have ever officially broken the law, per Indy100.

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Theresa May has officially resigned from her role as the British Prime Minister as the murmurs of discontent over her handling of Brexit has brought discontent to fever pitch.

The Prime Minister's job was hanging by a thread coming into this week, with prominent members of her Cabinet - including Sajid Javid, Jeremy Hunt, Penny Mordaunt, Michael Gove, Andrea Leadsom, and David Mundell - demanding that she steps down following a disastrous turn of events that has seen her Conservative party drop to just seven percent in a new European elections poll.

Before May approached the House of Commons earlier this week, rumours echoed around Westminster that the meeting could also include a dramatic announcement. May denied these allegations, but it seems as though the rumours had a nugget of truth in them.

"I am today announcing that I will resign as Conservative leader on Friday 7 June," May said in an official statement made outside the doors of number 10 Downing Street.

In her statement, the soon-to-be ex-Prime Minister said:

"Ever since I first stepped through the door behind me as PM I have striven to make the UK work not just for a privileged few but for everyone and to honour the result of the referendum."

"I negotiated the terms of our exit. I have done everything I can to convince MPs to back that deal. Sadly I have not been able to do so. It is now clear to me that it is in the best interest of the UK for a new PM to lead that effort.

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She continued:

"I have agreed with the party chairman that the process for electing a new leader will begin in the following week. It is a matter of deep regret that I have not been able to deliver Brexit. My successor will have to find a consensus. Consensus will only be possible if those on both sides of the debate 'compromise'."

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May had been charge for nearly three years following the resignation of David Cameron back in 2016, but she has suffered through a dramatic and eventual term as Prime Minister.

The pressure on her to deliver a version of Brexit that would satisfy both the European Parliament out in Brussels as well as her own constituents has escalated all throughout her time at 10 Downing Street, and it appears as if that pressure has finally told.

Boris Johnson is set to resign as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, BBC Political Editor Chris Mason has stated.

Per BBC News, Johnson is expected to make a public address later today in order to officially announce his resignation as the leader of the Conservative party and as Prime Minister of the UK.

However, rather than step down as Prime Minister immediately, Mason reports that Johnson plans to continue to serve as 'Caretaker' Prime Minister until the autumn, allowing for a Conservative leadership contest to take place throughout the summer.

Although, many MPs reportedly disagree with this call and are calling for Johnson to leave much sooner.

The 58-year-old's decision comes after a wake of resignations in the Conservative party.

Earlier this week, Johnson's credibility was hit following the resignation of two of his top cabinet members, former health secretary Sajid Javid and chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Per The Guardian, both emphasized a lack of leadership in Downing Street, with Javid writing: "We may not have always been popular but we have been competent in acting in the national interest. Sadly, in the current circumstances, the public are concluding that we are now neither."

He added: "The vote of confidence last month showed that a large number of our colleagues agree. It was a moment for humility, grip and new direction. I regret to say, however, that it is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership – and you have therefore lost my confidence too."

In his resignation letter, Sunak wrote: "The public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously. I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning."

Sunak added: "In preparation for our proposed joint speech on the economy next week, it has become clear to me that our approaches are fundamentally too different. I am sad to be leaving Government but I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that we cannot continue like this."

What followed was a slew of resignations from Conservative ministers, with BBC News reporting that more than resignations from the government and party exceeded 50 on Thursday (July 7).

Johnson's newly appointed chancellor Nadhim Zahawi then also made a public call for the PM to resign, writing: "My number one priority has and always will be this great country. When asked to become Chancellor, I did it out of loyalty. Not to a man, but loyalty to this country and all it has given me."

Zahawi added: "Yesterday, I made clear to the prime minister alongside my colleagues in Number 10 that there was only one direction where this was going, and that he should leave with dignity. Out of respect, and in the hopes that he would listen to an old friend of 30 years, I kept this counsel private.

"I am heartbroken that he hasn’t listened and that he is now undermining the incredible achievements of this Government at this late hour. No one will forget getting Brexit done, keeping a dangerous antisemite out of No10, our handling of COVID and our support for Ukraine in its hour of need.

"But the country deserves a government that is not only stable, but which acts with integrity."

The Tory rebellion kicked off on Tuesday after Downing Street confirmed that Johnson was aware of allegations of sexual misconduct against the former Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher in 2019 - but decided to appoint him to the ministerial position in February regardless.

Pincher resigned from the post last week following allegations that he groped two men at a private members' club in London.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Johnson apologized for appointing the disgraced politician.

Per NPR, he said: "I think it was a mistake and I apologize for it. In hindsight, it was the wrong thing to do.

"I apologize to everybody who has been badly affected by it. I want to make absolutely clear that there’s no place in this government for anybody who is predatory or who abuses their position of power."

Minutes later, Javid and Sunak announced their respective resignations.

Johnson's resignation also comes one month after he survived a vote of no confidence from his party - clinging on with a majority vote of 211 to 148.

He has faced increasing scrutiny in recent months, after photos of him were leaked to the press showing him attending events with staff during periods of strict lockdown measures.

The scandal - known as "Partygate" - saw Johnson issue an apology to the public, saying: "I want to apologize. […] With hindsight, I should have sent everyone back inside."

It also led to him being issued with a fixed penalty notice for attending lockdown parties - thus, becoming the first sitting UK Prime Minister to have ever officially broken the law, per Indy100.

Featured image credit: Sipa US / Alamy

Liz Truss has resigned as the United Kingdom's leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister after just 44 days.

The groundbreaking announcement makes Truss the shortest-serving PM in the UK's history.

Truss made the announcement on Thursday afternoon outside Number 10 Downing Street.

During her address, Truss told reporters - and the nation - that she entered office during a time of "great economic and international instability". However, she added: "I recognize - given the situation - I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party."

She then announced that she has spoken to King Charles III and would be resigning as leader of the Conservative party, and therefore as UK Prime Minister.

She also announced that she had also met with 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady today, and confirmed that a leadership contest will take place next week for the Tory party.

Truss will remain as PM until a new leader is elected.

This also means that the UK will have had three prime ministers in the year of 2022 - an unprecedented statistic.

The news comes as more and more Conservative MPs spoke out against Truss - with Hazel Grove MP William Wragg revealing on Wednesday that he wanted to submit a vote of no confidence in Truss.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Wragg said: "If I vote as I would wish, then I would lose the whip. I would no longer be vice chair of the 1922 committee. I would no longer maintain a position as a chair of one of the select committees of the House.

"And indeed, because of that, my letter lodged with my honorable friend, the member for Altrincham and Sale West [Brady], would fall, and I wish to maintain that letter with my honorable friend."

Additionally, earlier today, it was reported by ITV News that Hartlepool MP Jill Mortimer said she had "no confidence in the competence" of the Prime Minister.

Truss - who took over from Boris Johnson at the start of September - announced plans to generate UK economic growth by cutting taxes not long after arriving in Number 10.

However, after her newly appointed chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, announced a "mini-budget" to slash taxes, the pound fell to an all-time record low on September 26 - dropping by almost 5% overnight, The Guardian reports.

Speaking on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg earlier this month, Truss pointed to Russia's invasion of Ukraine as the reason for the mini-budget, saying: "This is a global problem. You have got [Vladimir] Putin’s war in Ukraine, the aftermath of Covid. What is happening around the world is that interest rates are rising."

"I’m afraid there is an issue that interest rates are going up around the world and we do have to face that," the PM added, per The Independent.

Eventually, Kwarteng announced last week that he had been fired from his role as

"You have asked me to stand aside as your Chancellor. I have accepted," Kwarteng said in a letter to Truss, which he later shared on Twitter.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow...

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