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Sir Keir Starmer has said the country needs a “big reset” as he delivered his first speech as prime minister after a historic Labour landslide election win.
Speaking outside No 10 after formally accepting the request from King Charles to form a government, he said: “Changing a country is not like flicking a switch... but have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately.”
Labour has emerged from the general election with one of the biggest parliamentary majorities in history, having won 412 seats. That is a majority of 176, with the last couple of results still to come.
Earlier, Rishi Sunak apologised to the country as he left Downing Street and resigned as both prime minister and party leader this morning.
The Conservatives have won just 121 seats. Liz Truss, Penny Mordaunt and Jacob Rees-Mogg are among a host of senior Tories to have lost.
The Liberal Democrats have won 71 seats and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party have triumphed in four constituencies. The Green Party has also picked up four seats, the SNP nine and Plaid Cymru four.
Key Points
- PM vows to ‘rebuild the country’ in speech
- Starmer officially becomes the new prime minister
- Sunak steps down as party leader in final speech
- Who will be the next Conservative leader?
- Truss, Mordaunt, Rees-Mogg and Shapps among senior Tories to lose seats
- Liberal Democrats win record number of MPs
Pinned: As the sun peaked through the skies, a new PM rose to power
Sir Keir Starmer adressed the nation as PM after comfortably winning the 2024 UK general election.
Speaking from outside Number 10 before a cheering crowd, he said:
- Keir Starmer first paid tribute to Rishi Sunak as the first British Asian PM and thanked him for his “dedication and hard work”.
- He promised his new government “will serve” the country and deliver the change needed to rebuild trust in UK politics. “This wound, this lack of trust can only be healed by actions, not words,” he said.
- Sir Keir promised to “fight every day” until people start believing again in politics. He told the nation he is committed to rule by “country first, party second”.
- Ending his speech, he reminded people that he now has a clear mandate and will use it to “deliver change”. Thanking the audience, he said: “Our work is urgent and we begin it today.”
Watch: Keir Starmer and wife enter No 10 for first time after Labour election win
Watch the moment Sir Keir Starmer entered 10 Downing Street for the first time as prime minister, alongside his wife Victoria.
Labour won a landslide in Thursday’s general election, which saw former premier Liz Truss and a dozen Tory cabinet members lose their seats.
Sir Keir became the new PM after meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace, following the resignation of Rishi Sunak.
Cameras caught the moment the Labour leader stepped inside his new residence for the first time, shortly before 1pm on Friday.
In his first speech as PM, Sir Keir promised a government “unburdened by doctrine” and to fight for people’s belief in a brighter future.
Keir Starmer and wife enter No 10 for first time after Labour election win
Watch the moment Sir Keir Starmer entered 10 Downing Street for the first time as prime minister, alongside his wife Victoria. Labour won a landslide in Thursday’s general election, which saw former premier Liz Truss and a dozen Tory cabinet members lose their seats. Sir Keir became the new PM after meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace, following the resignation of Rishi Sunak. Cameras caught the moment the Labour leader stepped inside his new residence for the first time, shortly before 1pm on Friday. In his first speech as PM, Sir Keir promised a government “unburdened by doctrine” and to fight for people’s belief in a brighter future.
Athena Stavrou5 July 2024 13:13 1720180728Starmer inside Downing Street to appoint new cabinet
Following his speech, Sir Keir Starmer warmly embraced members of the crowd in Downing Street.
The new Prime Minister then smiled and waved at the media gathered on the opposite side of the street as he and Lady Victoria posed for photos outside the famous No 10 door before entering the building.
Sir Keir Starmer is now expected to unveil names of his newly appointed cabinet.
In pictures: Sir Keir Starmer arrives at Downing Street as prime minister
PM: Our work is urgent and we begin today
The prime minister has promised to deliver change and “restore service” during his leadership.
“But have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately,” Sir Keir Starmer said.
“Have no doubt that we will rebuild Britain with wealth created in every community, our NHS back on its feet facing the future, secure borders, safer streets, everyone treated with dignity and respect at work, the opportunity of clean British power cutting your energy bills for good.
“And brick-by-brick we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity, the world-class schools and colleges, the affordable homes that I know are the ingredients of hope for working people, the security that working-class families like mine can build their lives around.
“Because if I asked you now if you believe that Britain will be better for your children, I know too many of you would say no.
“And so my government will fight every day until you believe again. From now on you have a government unburdened by doctrine, guided only by the determination to serve your interests, to defy quietly those who have written our country off.”
Ending his speech, he concluded: “You have given us a clear mandate and we will use it to deliver change, to restore service and respect to politics, end the era of noisy performance, tread more lightly on your lives and unite our country.
“Four nations standing together again, facing down as we have so often in our past the challenges of an insecure world, committed to a calm and patient rebuilding. So, with respect and humility, I invite you all to join this government of service in the mission of national renewal. Our work is urgent and we begin it today. Thank you very much.”
Starmer vows to ‘rebuild the country'
The prime minister has promised to heal the public from the “lack of trust” in UK politics and “rebuild the country”.
Sir Keir Starmer told the nation: “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 person in this country with respect.
“If you voted Labour yesterday, we will carry the responsibility of your trust as we rebuild our country. But whether you voted Labour or not, in fact, especially if you did not, I say to you directly: My government will serve you.”
PM: You have voted for change
Sir Keir Starmer has thanked crowds of Labour staff and supporters.
The prime minister said: “Now our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and a return of politics to public service.”
He added that the country now “needs to move forward” and a “big reset”.
Salma Ouaguira5 July 2024 12:46 1720179870The prime minister thanks predecessor Rishi Sunak
Sir Keir Starmer started his first prime ministerial speech by paying tribute to Rishi Sunak’s “hard work”.
After stepping out from a car onto Downing Street in the sunshine to applause and cheers, and then greeting supporters, the new Prime Minister took to the lectern.
He said: “I have just returned from Buckingham Palace, where I accepted an invitation from His Majesty the King to form the next Government of this great nation.
“I want to thank the outgoing prime minister Rishi Sunak. His achievement as the first British-Asian prime minister of our country, the extra effort that that will have required, should not be underestimated by anyone. And we paid tribute to that today.
“We also recognise the dedication and hard work he brought to his leadership.”
Tom Barnes5 July 2024 12:44 1720179851Starmer begins speech
Starmer has begun his first speech as prime minister outside Downing Street.
Starmer cheered as he enters arrives in Downing Street
Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Lady Victoria arrived in Downing Street to cheers and applause.
The new Prime Minister shook hands with waiting Labour supporters who waved flags.
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