Sir Keir Starmer said “our work is urgent and we begin it today” as he addressed the nation for the first time after officially becoming prime minister.
Entering Downing Street for the first time as Prime Minister, Sir Keir greeted a crowd of Labor supporters waving Union, Welsh and Scottish flags before addressing the nation in front of Number 10.
Much of country turned red overnightwith Rishi Sunak admitting defeat shortly before 5am on Friday and Sir Keir claiming victory shortly afterwards.
Sir Keir began his first speech by thanking Mr Sunak for his “achievement as our country’s first Asian British Prime Minister”, adding that the “extra effort” it would have required “should not be underestimated by anyone”.
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The new PM said that the country “voted decisively for change, for national renewal and for the return of politics to public service”.
He spoke of people disengaging from politics, adding: “When the gap between the sacrifices made by people and the service they receive from politicians grows so large, it leads to a weariness in the heart of a nation, an exhaustion of hope, the spirit, the belief in a better future that we need to move forward together.”
To voters who did not vote for the Labor Party, Sir Keir said: “My government will serve you.”
“Politics can be a force for good – let’s show that,” he added.
He said: “If I asked you now whether you believe Britain will be better for your children, I know many of you will say no – and then my government will fight until you believe again.”
But he warned that changing a country is “not like flipping a switch…it will take a while, but I have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately.”
Sir Keir invited “all of you to join this government of service in the mission of national renewal”.
He said his government will be “free from doctrine, guided only by the determination to serve its interests, to silently challenge those who have slighted our country.”
“Our work is urgent and we start today”, he concluded, amidst celebrations.
The King welcomed Sir Keir Starmer during an audience at Buckingham Palace. Photo: PA
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Before his speech, Sir Keir walked down Downing Street, greeting his supporters.
The Labor leader had his meeting with the king at Buckingham Palace after Rishi Sunak stepped down following the worst general election result ever for the Conservatives.
Fickle voters hand Labor a ‘loveless landslide’
In the last few hours, this country has witnessed a peaceful political revolution and Sir Keir Starmer will begin work as Prime Minister after a landslide victory that seemed inconceivable just three years ago.
From today, and for the next five years, our 58th Prime Minister will have full command of the House of Commons, following a result in line with Tony Blair’s historic Labor victory in 1997 – which, at the time of this article was written, it seemed like a majority just under 170. .
Sir Keir has, in the eyes of many, been handed a blank political check from which he is expected to issue a promise of change – change from the status quo that an analysis of votes across the country suggests the public is demanding with exceptional clarity and urgency.
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Sir Keir became the first Labor prime minister in 14 years – and the seventh Labor prime minister ever.
After the meeting, the King’s spokesman said that the King requested that Sir Keir form a new administration.
“Sir Keir accepted Her Majesty’s offer and kissed his hands on being appointed Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury,” he said.
Follow live updates: Rishi Sunak tells British public: ‘I’m sorry’
Sir Keir made his first address to the nation as prime minister. Photo: Reuters
Resigning as Conservative leader before Sir Keir became prime minister, Sunak, on the steps of Number 10, said he would not leave his role as leader of the Conservative Party immediately but would do so once the leadership race began.
“I would like to say, first of all, that I am sorry. I gave my all to this job,” he said.
“But you have sent a clear signal that the UK government must change. And your judgment is the only one that matters.
“I heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss.”
The outgoing Prime Minister sat at a lectern outside Number 10 and apologized twice for not winning the general election.
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Sunak also wished Sir Keir and his family well, adding: “Whatever our differences in this campaign, he is a decent, public-spirited man who I respect.
“He and his family deserve our best understanding as they make the enormous transition to their new lives behind this door and as he struggles with this most demanding job in an increasingly unstable world.”
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
