SIR Keir Starmer has won the leadership of the Labour Party.
The human rights lawyer beat rivals Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy after the first round of voting.
It marks a significant change of direction for the party, with a move away from the politics of Jeremy Corbyn and Ed Miliband who led Labour over the last decade.
His victory came after the planned special conference to unveil the winner had to be shelved because of the coronavirus crisis.
Starmer tweeted: "It's the honour and privilege of my life to be elected as leader of the Labour Party.
"I will lead this great party into a new era, with confidence and hope, so that when the time comes, we can serve our country again - in government."
Angela Rayner won the deputy leadership race.
Starmer won 56.2% of the vote, while Rayner won 52.6% of the vote.
Starmer said his mission is to restore trust in Labour as "a force for good and a force for change"
He also apologised for anti-Semitism in the party which has brought "grief" to Jewish communities.
Rayner tweeted: "Thank you to everyone from the bottom of my heart, I promise I will do everything to repay your trust!
"I know we face a long and difficult road ahead but it's our responsibility to offer the better future that the citizens of our country deserve."
Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson tweeted: "My very best wishes to @Keir_Starmer. He has great integrity. He possesses deep reserves of patience and a first-class mind. Above all these qualities, he has a vision of a fairer more equal society."
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted: "Congratulations to Keir Starmer on a clear and deserved victory. His decency, values and intelligence are what our country needs at this moment of crisis and to lead us to a more equal, fairer and just future."
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