Jeremy Corbyn has said that he will not lead Labour into the next election.
Emerging onstage to the strains of a guitar riff usually reserved for a hair metal song, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson proceeded to celebrate by repeating the mantra that led to an overwhelming victory in the latest UK general election.
Johnson’s Conservative Party enjoyed a huge majority in the election, resulting in its best performance in seats since 1992.
In contrast, Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party suffered their heaviest defeat since 1935.
Summing up a “very disappointing night for the party”, Corbyn confirmed that he will not lead Labour into the next election.
He will, however, remain as leader of the party as it enters a “process of reflection” following an outcome that is expected to result in a loss of 59 seats in the House of Commons.
Johnson, meanwhile, cut a buoyant figure when addressing supporters on Friday morning.
“We did it! We did it. We pulled it off, didn’t we?” he began.
“We broke the deadlock, we ended the gridlock, we smashed the roadblock and in this glorious, glorious per-breakfast moment before a new dawn rises on a new day and a new government, I want first of all to pay tribute to good colleagues who lost their seats through no fault of their own in the election that has just gone by.
“And I of course just want to congratulate everybody in securing the biggest Conservative majority since the 1980s.
“With this mandate and this majority we will at last be able to do what?” he asked a crowd that fired back with the slogan that led to victory:
“Get Brexit done.”
Smiling, Johnson noted that they had been paying attention.
“This election means that getting Brexit done is now the irrefutable, irresistible, unarguable decision of the British people,” the Prime Minister said.
“With this election I think we have put an end to all those miserable threats of a second referendum,” he added.
US President Donald Trump issued his congratulations to Johnson, encouraging people to celebrate.
“Congratulations to Boris Johnson on his great win,” Trump said.
“Britain and the United States will now be free to strike a massive new trade deal after Brexit. This deal has the potential to be far bigger and more lucrative than any deal that could be made with the EU. Celebrate Boris.”
Congratulations to Boris Johnson on his great WIN! Britain and the United States will now be free to strike a massive new Trade Deal after BREXIT. This deal has the potential to be far bigger and more lucrative than any deal that could be made with the E.U. Celebrate Boris!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2019
Tánaiste Simon Coveney has also congratulated Johnson on his win, noting that the Irish government will now focus on Northern Ireland.
“Congratulations to Boris Johnson on his victory in the UK General Election,” Coveney said.
“The Irish government and my department now stand ready to seize the moment and focus on getting Stormont up and running for all the people and parties in Northern Ireland.”
Congratulations to @BorisJohnson on his victory in the UK General Election. The Irish government and my department now stand ready to seize the moment and focus on getting #Stormont up and running for all the people and parties in Northern Ireland.
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) December 13, 2019
At time of writing on Friday morning, votes are still being counted and an overall result is expected to be announced later today.
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