‘I have heard your anger & I take responsibility,’ says Rishi as he shares tribute to wife & kids in dignified speech

RISHI Sunak today bid a final farewell to the nation as he quit as Prime Minister of the "best country in the world".

In an emotional speech outside No. 10, Rishi paid tribute to his wife and daughters.

The outgoing premier said he had given the job "my all" but admitted voters had sent "a clear signal the government must change."

In a stoic exit following election defeat, he said: "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."

He added: "Most of all, I'd like to express my gratitude to my wife 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.

"Two generations after my grandparents came here with little, I could become prime minister.

"And then I could watch my two young daughters like Diwali candles on the steps in Downing Street."

Rishi also shared a snap of him and his wife Akshata walking hand-in-hand out of Downing Street on his Instagram page.

He said: "I have given this job my all. But you have sent a clear message, and yours is the only judgement that matters.

"This is a difficult day, but I leave this job honoured to have been Prime Minister of the best country in the world."

Mr Sunak brought the curtain down on 14 years of Tory rule, but confirmed he would stay on as leader while his successor is chosen.

He is meeting King Charles this morning to formally resign after crashing to a disastrous defeat to Labour.

Sir Keir Starmer will sweep into No10 with a 174-seat majority of 412, thumping the Tories' bleak haul of 121.

Speaking outside Downing Street with his wife Akshata, Mr Sunak said: "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'm 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."

Mr Sunak said it was "remarkable" to be the UK's first British-Asian PM - but also "unremarkable" it was not a big deal when he first entered Downing Street 20 months ago.

He added: "This is the best country in the world. And it is thanks entirely to you the British people the true source of all our achievements, our strengths and our greatness. Thank you."

Putting aside months of horsetrading, Mr Sunak also paid a dignified tribute to incoming PM Sir Keir.

He said: "Whilst he has been my political opponent, Sir Keir Starmer 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."

Van pulled up outside No10 Downing Street ahead of Mr Sunak making way for Sir Keir.

Mr Sunak's plane landed at RAF Northolt in west London this morning after the Tories were battered overnight.

The outgoing PM earlier went to Tory HQ in Westminster to thank party troops for their work the past six weeks.

He will travel to Buckingham Palace to resign during an audience with the King.

Meanwhile Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was spotted leaving No. 11 Downing Street with his family.

After his speech Rishi will head to Buckingham Palace - where Sir Keir will also travel to formally accept the King's invitation to form a government.

Sir Keir is expected to make his first speech as PM on the steps of Downing Street shortly after midday.

Last night Rishi said he took responsibility for the Tory party's election drubbing.

He revealed he had called incoming Labour PM Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him.

Rishi held his seat in Richmond and Northallerton, but said the British people had delivered a "sobering verdict" on his party.

Sir Keir will become the UK's next prime minister, with Labour storming into Downing Street after securing the required 326 seats.

Speaking at his local polling station, Mr Sunak said: "On this difficult night, I'd like to express my gratitude to the people of the Richmond and Northallerton constituency for your continued support.

After a historic election night:

• Keir Starmer has become Britain's next Prime Minister after Labour got 412 seats amid a brutal Tory wipeout.
• He promised to lead a Labour party grounded in “public service” in his first speech as PM in front of a jubilant crowd at No 10.
• Sir Keir will now appoint his cabinet as he cracks on with his plan for change.
• Rishi Sunak admitted defeat earlier on the steps of Downing Street and apologised to the nation for his party’s failures.
• Tory big beasts including former PM Liz Truss and ex-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps have lost seats after a nightmare night for Conservatives.
• He was followed by Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt, one of eight Cabinet ministers have lost their seats
• Nigel Farage’s Reform party claimed an unprecedented four seats as they grabbed votes from the Tories.
• Tory defector Lee Anderson claimed the first Reform seat, followed by Farage, Richard Tice, and Rupert Lowe.
• Sir Keir's predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, now standing as an independent, also held onto Islington North
• All eyes are now on our new PM with Piers Morgan telling our Never Mind The Ballots election show that Sir Keir MUST deliver real change after the Tory disaster

"Since I moved here a decade ago. You have made me and my family feel so at home.

"I look forward to continuing to serve as your Member of Parliament. It is an enormous privilege.

"I’m grateful to my agent and constituency team, and I congratulate my opponents here on the energetic and very good-natured campaigns that they have run.

He added: "The Labour Party has won this General Election, and I've called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.

"Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner, with goodwill on all sides.

"That is something that should give us all confidence in our country's stability and future.

"The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight, there is much to learn and reflect on - and I take responsibility for the loss.

"To the many good, hard-working Conservative candidates who lost tonight, despite their tireless efforts, their local records and delivery, and their dedication to their communities.

"I am sorry."

Mr Sunak, his wife and their security and entourage left the election count as soon as he had finished making a speech after the result was declared.

It comes as Mr Sunak will reportedly quit as leader of the Conservative Party today after the exit poll predicted a Tory wipeout.

He is expected to announce his resignation this morning, according to sources.

Tim Shipman, chief political commentator for The Sunday Times, told Times Radio it is his understanding the PM will quit today.

But he said Mr Sunak "will stay on until another leader is selected".

He added: "In practice this means holding the fort in parliament for three weeks before the recess."

A desperately disappointing night for the Tories culminated in a number of party big beasts losing their seats, including a record-breaking nine Cabinet ministers.

Ex-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt, both of whom were expected to throw their hats in the ring for party leadership, lost their respective seats.

Mr Sunak held onto his own, but conceded defeat and revealed he had called Sir Keir "to congratulate him".

The Tories were also wiped out in Wales, while in Scotland Labour were rampant.