Today’s election result shows the electorate have delivered a decisive majority in favour of press reform. The Labour, Liberal Democrat, SNP, PC and Green Parties all have a history of supporting the Leveson recommendations and, between them, they have been handed an overwhelming majority.

Voters’ clear verdict comes despite a concerted and often dishonest press campaign to retain a Conservative majority Government; lead by the Daily Mail, The Telegraph, The Express, and The Sun and The Times which – despite giving Labour half-hearted endorsements on polling day – spent the previous four weeks of the campaign relentlessly backing the Conservatives. Britain’s press, unregulated and unaccountable, is among the least trusted in Europe. Every day, more people are affected by lies and intrusions in our newspapers.

The National Union of Journalists, free speech organisations like Article 19, and victims of press abuse, have long demanded action to end poor standards in the press and introduce the Leveson model of independent regulation. That is because only the Leveson system can protect press freedom, while also raising standards in the media and ensuring that newspapers be held to account for inaccuracies, abuses, and breaking the law. No serious newspaper sincere in its support for press freedom would ever join “IPSO”, the sham regulator controlled by the big publishers. It is run by a collection of Conservative-leaning politicians, in a clear violation of the principles of press freedom, and newspaper executives.

Now is the time for change, and political courage. This Parliament, and the incoming Labour Government, has a generational opportunity to put into effect the Leveson reforms. To replace IPSO, to raise standards in the press, and to protect the public from press abuse. Critically and unlike in previous elections, this Government and Parliament owe nothing to the national press. Their mandate doesn’t come from favourable coverage awarded by newspaper owners, or cosy editorial endorsements. It comes from the British people. They have the responsibility to listen to voters and act decisively on this issue to end press abuse, introduce the Leveson reforms, and complete the Inquiry’s work.