Keir Starmer Becomes Labour Prime Minister, Vows to Rebuild Britain "Brick by Brick"
Keir Starmer has entered Downing Street as the new Labour prime minister, following a historic election victory. He pledged to rebuild Britain "brick by brick" and provide security for millions of working-class families.
In his speech outside No. 10, Starmer said, "For too long now we have turned a blind eye to people's problems. My government will fight, every day, until you believe again." His words echoed Tony Blair’s 1997 promise to act as the servants of the people.
Labour's landslide victory ended 14 years of Conservative rule, marking the worst performance ever for the party that brought Brexit. The Tories lost numerous constituencies, including those gained in 2019 under Boris Johnson, with Liz Truss among those ousted.
Labour won 412 seats to the Tories' 121, while the Liberal Democrats secured a record 71 seats, the SNP 10, Reform UK five, and the Greens four. The final seat, expected to go to the Liberal Democrats, was due to be declared after a recount on Saturday.
Despite the victory, the election saw a low turnout of around 60%, reflecting widespread voter apathy and disillusionment with the political system. Labour lost four seats to pro-Gaza independent candidates and faced strong competition from Reform UK, which garnered 14% of the vote and came second in over 100 seats.
Starmer acknowledged the challenges ahead and the need to restore trust in politics. He expressed gratitude for the "dedication and hard work" of his predecessor, Rishi Sunak, and highlighted the significance of Sunak's achievement as the first British Asian leader of the UK.
Emphasizing public service as a privilege, Starmer promised to treat every person with respect and serve all citizens, regardless of their vote. "Whether you voted Labour or not, especially if you did not, I say to you directly, my government will serve you," he stated.
Accompanied by his wife, Victoria Starmer, the new prime minister addressed supporters waving Scottish, Welsh, and union flags. He called for a "bigger reset" and a rediscovery of national identity, advocating for stability and moderation. Starmer committed to transforming Britain’s public services and providing opportunities for working-class families.
In reference to the tumultuous Johnson, Truss, and Sunak eras, Starmer assured that Labour would "tread more lightly on your lives" after an "era of noisy performance." The new government plans to announce a series of planning changes to boost growth and address public service challenges.
Starmer's first cabinet included Rachel Reeves as Britain's first female chancellor, Angela Rayner as deputy prime minister, Yvette Cooper as home secretary, and David Lammy as foreign secretary. Wes Streeting, appointed health secretary, acknowledged the significant challenges facing the NHS, stating it could not "be fixed overnight."
Next week, Starmer will attend the NATO summit in Washington, where he is expected to meet President Joe Biden.
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