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'DIFFICULT NIGHT'
Rishi Sunak’s first message to remaining Tory MPs revealed – after emotional farewell to nation
The ex-PM said the party would 'take the fight' to Sir Keir Starmer now the Labour leader was in No.10
RISHI Sunak sent an emotional message to Tory MPs after his party was dealt a crushing loss in the General Election.
The ex-PM, who formally quit No.10 on Friday morning, apologised to colleagues and declared: “I am sorry that I could not deliver a better result.”
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The Tories were reduced to just 121 seats – their lowest of all time – as Labour sailed to a 174-seat majority.
But today he pledged to "take the fight" to Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government, and get "back on the front foot" in opposition.
Writing in the Tory MPs Whatsapp group chat, Mr Sunak, who is still Tory leader until a replacement is elected, said: “Colleagues. First of all, well done.
“On an extremely difficult night for our party, you won despite all the national headwinds against you.
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“I know that this success is made bittersweet by the fact that so many good colleagues and friends won’t be with us in the Commons.
“I am sorry that I could not deliver a better result for us nationally. I know how tired everyone is after the hardest campaign we have all fought: you put in immense efforts.
“We must all rest and gather our strength this weekend. But when parliament gets under away, I know we will fulfil our role holding Labour to account, back on the front foot and taking the fight to them.
“In terms of some practical next steps, and having spoken to Bob Blackman and Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, our new Shadow Chief Whip will be Stuart Andrew. Stuart will be supported by two Deputies, Stuart Anderson and Rebecca Harris.
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“They and the whips team will be in touch with you, and please feel free to reach out to them too.
“Best, Rishi.”
The message came after Mr Sunak gave an emotional resignation speech outside No.10.
Flanked by wife Akshata Murty, he told the nation: “I have given this job my all.
But you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change, and yours is the only judgement that matters.
“I have heard your anger, your disappointment; and I take responsibility for this loss.
“One of the most remarkable things about Britain is just how unremarkable it is that two generations after my grandparents came here with little, I could become Prime Minister, and that I could watch my two young daughters light Diwali candles on the steps in Downing Street.
“We must hold true to that idea of who we are, that vision of kindness, decency, and tolerance that has always been the British way.
“This is a difficult day, at the end of a number of difficult days.”