"Good morning, I will shortly be seeing His Majesty the King to
offer my resignation as Prime Minister.
To the country, I would like to say, first and foremost, I am
sorry.
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.
To all the Conservative candidates and campaigners who worked
tirelessly but without success…
…I am sorry that we could not deliver what your efforts
deserved.
It pains me to think how many good colleagues…
…who contributed so much to their communities and our country…
…will now no longer sit in the House of Commons.
I thank them for their hard work, and their service.
Following this result, I will step down as party leader…
…not immediately, but once the formal arrangements for selecting
my successor are in place.
It is important that after 14 years in government the
Conservative Party rebuilds…
…but also that it takes up its crucial role in Opposition
professionally and effectively.
When I first stood here as your Prime Minister, I told you the
most important task I had was to return stability to our economy.
Inflation is back to target, mortgage rates are falling, and
growth has returned.
We have enhanced our standing in the world, rebuilding relations
with allies…
…leading global efforts to support Ukraine…
…and becoming the home of the new generation of transformative
technologies.
And our United Kingdom is stronger too: with the Windsor
Framework, devolution restored in Northern Ireland, and our Union
strengthened.
I'm proud of those achievements.
I believe this country is safer, stronger, and more secure than
it was 20 months ago.
And it is more prosperous, fairer, and resilient than it was in
2010.
Whilst he has been my political opponent, Sir will shortly become our Prime
Minister.
In this job, his successes will be all our successes, and I wish
him and his family well.
Whatever our disagreements in this campaign, he is a decent,
public-spirited man, who I respect.
He and his family deserve the very best of our understanding, as
they make the huge transition to their new lives behind this
door…
…and as he grapples with this most demanding of jobs in an
increasingly unstable world.
I would like to thank my colleagues, my Cabinet, the Civil
Service - especially here in Downing Street…
…the team at Chequers, my staff, CCHQ…
…but most of all I would like to express my gratitude to my wife
Akshata and our beautiful daughters.
I can never thank them enough for the sacrifices they have made
so that I might serve our country.
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.
But I leave this job honoured to have been your Prime
Minister.
This is the best country in the world and that is thanks entirely
to you, the British people…
…the true source of all our achievements, our strengths, and our
greatness.
Thank you."
