Keir Starmer has taken office as the United Kingdom’s new Prime Minister, promising to “rebuild Britain” after his Labour Party’s sweeping victory in the general election, ending 14 years of Conservative governance.
On Friday, Keir Starmer, a 61-year-old former human rights lawyer, was officially asked by King Charles III to form a government during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Starmer’s appointment marks a historic moment for the Labour Party, with him becoming the first Labour Prime Minister since Gordon Brown in 2010.
As he arrived at Downing Street, Starmer was greeted by cheering Labour supporters. In his inaugural speech, he emphasized the nation’s call for change and a renewed focus on public service. “The work of change begins immediately, but have no doubt, we will rebuild Britain,” he declared.
The election results were a major blow to the Conservatives. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat, marking the end of a difficult period for his party. Sunak, along with 12 senior Cabinet members, lost their seats. His predecessor, Liz Truss, had already set the stage for this defeat with her brief and troubled tenure.
Before leaving Downing Street, Sunak expressed his apologies to the public and announced his resignation as Tory leader, pending the appointment of a successor.
Labour secured a commanding majority in the House of Commons, winning 412 seats by noon on Friday, with only two results left to declare. This gave Labour a majority of over 170 seats. In contrast, the Conservatives won just 121 seats, a historic low, with the right-wing vote further split by Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. The Liberal Democrats also gained ground, becoming the third-largest party by displacing the Scottish National Party.
Related NewsIraqi Prime Visits the US for Biden Meeting
UK General Election Set for July 4th
UK Court Sentences Man to Jail for Removing Condom without Partners Consent
World leaders, including European Council chief Charles Michel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, congratulated Starmer on his victory. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the continued alliance between the UK and Ukraine.
Despite Labour’s success, Starmer faces significant challenges ahead. The UK’s economic growth remains sluggish, public services are underfunded, and households are struggling financially. Starmer has committed to restoring political integrity after years of scandal and instability under Conservative rule.
Labour’s resurgence represents a dramatic turnaround from its poor performance five years ago. Under Starmer’s leadership since early 2020, the party has moved towards the center, making it more appealing to voters and addressing internal issues. Opinion polls had consistently shown Labour leading by a wide margin, and the election results have confirmed this shift.
