Rishi Sunak says sorry as tiny Tory party banished to opposition benches

Rishi Sunak apologised to his party as he appeared for the first time on the opposition benches with his dramatically reduced band of MPs.

The Tory leader appeared with his diminished party on the opposition benches in the Commons as MPs begin the three-day swearing in process. All politicians must swear an oath to the King to formally become MPs.

Keir Starmer made his first address to Parliament as PM, vowing to show politics "can be a force for good". He said: "We have the opportunity and the responsibility to put an end to a politics that has too often seemed self-serving and self-obsessed, and to replace that politics of performance with the politics of service.

"Because service is a precondition for hope and trust, and the need to restore trust should weigh heavily on every member here, new and returning alike. We all have a duty to show that politics can be a force for good."

Mr Sunak congratulated Keir Starmer on becoming Prime Minister, saying he faced a "formidable task". In a message to his own MPs, he said: “Let me begin with a message to those who are no longer sitting behind me. I am sorry. We have lost too many diligent, community-spirited representatives, whose wisdom and expertise will be missed in the debates and discussions."

"It is important that after 14 years in Government, the Conservative Party rebuilds, so we will take up the crucial role of His Majesty’s official Opposition professionally, effectively and humbly."

Mr Sunak described being an MP as the "greatest honour, privilege and responsibility" and added: "One of the great aspects of our system is no matter how high you rise, you still have that constituency which keeps you grounded."

It comes as Mr Sunak cobbled together a new top team from the wreckage of his old party. Tory Chairman Richard Holden and Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron both resigned from their posts, while the remaining Tories mostly kept the posts they had shadowed.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle was also re-elected as Commons Speaker - the 158th in the history of the House of Commons. He has served as Speaker since November 2019 when he replaced John Bercow - just before the 2019 election.

He was dragged to the Speaker's Chair by Labour MP Cat Smith and Tory Sir David Davis as part of a bizarre parliamentary tradition. Historically, the Speaker may have been reluctant to take on the job as it was considered a dangerous role.

Part of the Speaker's job is to tell the King about the opinions of MPs in the Commons. As history goes, if the monarch didn't agree with the message being communicated then the early death could follow. "Therefore, as you can imagine, previous Speakers required some gentle persuasion to accept the post," the UK Parliament website adds.