New Prime Minister Keir Starmer makes first address: ‘We will rebuild Britain’
Sir Keir Starmer has given his first speech as the UK’s new Labour prime minister after the biggest conservative loss in decades.
Starmer was met by cheers as he walked up to give his remarks to reporters and supporters outside of Downing Street.
He spoke to the crowd outside of No.10 shortly after meeting his majesty King Charles III in Buckingham Palace, thanking his supporters Rishi Sunak.
PM Starmer said that for too long, ‘we’ve turned a blind eye’. He pledged to rebuild Britain, put the NHS back on its feet, secure the borders and treat everyone with dignity and respect.
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Throughout his election campaign, Starmer focused his policy on areas including national security, immigration, economy, work, transport, the environment and the NHS.
Keir added: ‘Four nations, standing together again. Facing down, as we have so often in our past, the challenges of an insecure world.
‘With respect, and humility, I invite you all to join this government of service… our work is urgent, and we begin it today.’
He also cited a weariness in the ‘heart of the nation’, adding: ‘When the gap between the sacrifices made by people and the service they receive from politicians grows this big, it leads to a weariness in the heart of a nation, a draining away of the hope, the spirit, the belief in a better future.
‘But we need to move forward together. Now this wound, this lack of trust can only be healed by actions not words, I know that.
‘But we can make a start today with the simple acknowledgement that public service is a privilege and that your government should treat every single person in this country with respect.’
After closing his speech, he was met with cheers and applause from well wishers, who he shook hands with.
Starmer’s wife, Victoria, shook hands with and kissed many attendees on the cheek after her husband’s speech.
The pair then joined hands and walked into Number 10 for the first time.
Labour’s victory marks the worst ever loss for the Conservative party, as Labour gained a majority of more than 400 seats – with more to come.
It is the first Labour government since Gordon Brown was elected as prime minister in 2007.
Hours earlier, outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he took responsibility for the electoral mauling inflicted on his party as it suffered its worst ever result.
In a farewell statement in Downing Street, Mr Sunak said: ‘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 judgment that matters.
‘I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss.’
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