Media around the world reported that the Labour Party won the British election with an overwhelming majority, defeating the Conservative Party after 14 years in power.
As at home, there were few tears shed outside the UK, with most media outlets trumpeting Labour’s gains and running a string of headlines highlighting the magnitude of the Conservative defeat.
Likening the Conservative party’s collapse to a natural disaster seemed to be the most common metaphor for this election, as voters delivered the party its worst result ever.
“Earthquake a Crushing Victory!” read the headline on the front page of Norwegian newspapers. Dagbladet There is also a picture of the Prime Minister-designate, Sir Keir Starmer, embracing his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, at an election party.
“Look Left! UK Earthquake” becomes US headline The Drudge ReportIts website featured a large banner depicting exit polls that showed Labour winning a historic majority.
Some celebrated the Conservative defeat, while others plastered their websites with images of Rishi Sunak looking dejected and distressed.
“The Conservative era is over in the UK…the Conservatives have achieved their worst ever results” in Spain El Pais Germany’s Der Spiegel “Mr Sunak congratulates Labour on their election victory – Chancellor Rishi Sunak has accepted defeat and taken responsibility,” it declared.
Many media outlets praised Starmer for leading a campaign that led to an overwhelming majority, with numerous congratulatory messages and profiles of the Labour leader.
“Historic Labour victory – Starmer takes Britain back” in Italy La Republica “French newspapers published tributes to the Labour leader with headlines such as “Keir Starmer, architect of Labour’s revival” and “Starmer, the quiet leader who refocused the British left.”
Italian Corriere della Serasaid a Starmer victory could even trigger Britain’s future return to the EU, highlighting the damage Brexit has done to Britain.
“The Conservatives lost because of a series of errors, shallowness and a failure to revive an economy wrecked by Brexit.”
“The UK will rejoin the European Union, but it will take a generation,” writes Beppe Severnini.
Last night the surprise election of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who was elected to Parliament after his eighth attempt, also made front pages around the world.
“He calls Donald Trump his friend and is trying to undermine the British party system.” Der Spiegel I have written.
And in Russia, state media today celebrated the big defeat for the Conservative Party, particularly that of outgoing Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who lost his seat.
Vladimir Kornilov, analyst at the state-run news agency Russia Todaysaid of Mr Shapps: “This irrepressible anti-Russia campaigner was close to tears during the announcement of the election result.”
“Russophobia turns out to be a less decisive factor in British voters’ choices.”