Hundreds of newly elected lawmakers entered the U.K. Parliament with enthusiasm after a significant election led to a Labour government coming into power. The House of Commons welcomed a total of 650 members with 335 of them being newcomers, a higher number compared to the previous election in 2019. The atmosphere in the building was bustling with chatter as the halls resonated with excitement.
Notably, the new House of Commons comprises the largest number of women ever elected, totaling 263, representing around 40% of the total members. Additionally, there are 90 lawmakers of color, making it the most diverse Parliament to date. Among the new faces is the youngest lawmaker, 22-year-old Sam Carling from Labour, one of the 412 Labour legislators ready to take their seats on the government side.
The opposing side will see a reduced number of 121 Conservatives, a notable increase in Liberal Democrats with 72 seats, and representatives from parties like the Green Party and Reform UK. As new members settled in, outgoing lawmakers were seen packing up their offices.
The initial task for the lawmakers will be to elect a speaker responsible for overseeing the House of Commons’ proceedings. Lindsay Hoyle, the current speaker since 2019, is expected to be reelected. Following this, lawmakers will take their oath of allegiance, with the longest-serving member being sworn in first, followed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other officials.
After the swearing-in process, Parliament will adjourn until July 17 when the State Opening will commence a new session. During this event, King Charles III will deliver the King’s Speech, outlining the government’s legislative agenda for the upcoming year. Proposed plans include establishing a public green energy company, Great British Energy, amending planning rules for increased housing construction, and nationalizing the country’s problematic railways.
The accountability of the government will rest on a downsized Conservative Party, temporarily led by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak until a new leader is chosen.
