‘FORCE FOR GOOD’
Starmer vows to ‘rebuild Britain’ in first speech as PM and says ‘change begins immediately’ after meeting with King
Sir Keir Starmer invited everyone to join his 'Government of service'
SIR Keir Starmer vowed to rebuild Britain "brick by brick" as he addressed the nation for the first time as Prime Minister.
Speaking outside Number 10, the Labour chief invited everyone to join his mission of "national renewal".
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Making an appeal to those who did not vote for his party yesterday, he said: “Whether you voted Labour or not, in fact, especially if you did not, I say to you directly: my government will serve you.”
Sir Keir - commanding a 174-seat majority - acknowledged changing a country is not "like flicking a switch" and that it will "take a while".
But he went on to say: "I have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately. I have no doubt that we will rebuild Britain with wealth created in every community."
The new Prime Minister - watched by his doting wife Victoria - also invited the country to join him in his mission.
He said: "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."
After an historic election night:
- Keir Starmer has become Britain's next Prime Minister after Labour got 412 seats amid a brutal Tory wipeout.
- He promised to lead a Labour party grounded in “public service” in his first speech as PM in front of a jubilant crowd at No 10.
- Sir Keir will now appoint his cabinet as he cracks on with his plan for change.
- Rishi Sunak admitted defeat earlier on the steps of Downing Street and apologised to the nation for his party’s failures.
- Tory big beasts including former PM Liz Truss and ex-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps have lost seats after a nightmare night for Conservatives.
- He was followed by Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt, one of eight Cabinet ministers have lost their seats
- Nigel Farage’s Reform party claimed an unprecedented four seats as they grabbed votes from the Tories.
- Tory defector Lee Anderson claimed the first Reform seat, followed by Farage, Richard Tice, and Rupert Lowe.
- Sir Keir's predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, now standing as an independent, also held onto Islington North
- All eyes are now on our new PM with Piers Morgan telling our Never Mind The Ballots election show that Sir Keir MUST deliver real change after the Tory disaster
Most read in The Sun
His speech came shortly after Rishi Sunak resigned and apologised to both his party and the country for the massive defeat.
He also used his final Downing Street speech to thank his “beautiful daughters” for the sacrifices they made while he governed and wish his successor the best.
Labour will inherit an intray from hell
By JACK ELSOM
SIR Keir Starmer will have to hit the ground running as he will inherit an intray from hell.
Here are some of the immediate challenges the new PM will face.
Small boats: Summer will see more Channel migrants who are currently crossing at a record rate
Legal migration: Net migration has been running at massive levels for years heaping strain on public services
NHS strikes: Junior doctors are still in dispute with the government and have threatened to keep striking
Global conflict: The twin crises of Ukraine and the Middle East demand robust Western responses
Sluggish growth: Labour has pinned many of its plans on growth, which has been sluggish in recent years
High energy bills: Energy bills are still clobbering many families who Starmer has vowed to help
Crime epidemic: Shoplifters are running riot on streets while knife crime is out of control
Swamped prisons: The country’s jails are so swamped they are close to breaking point
Dental deserts: Dental services are so stretched many places are not accepting new patients
Housing crisis: A lack of houses means getting on the property ladder is a pipe dream for many
Mr Sunak said: “He and his family deserve the very best of our understanding as they make the huge transition to their new lives behind this door and as he grapples with this most demanding of jobs in an increasingly unstable world.”
With 648 of the 650 Commons seats being declared, Labour has 412 seats and a majority of 176.
The Tories stand at 121, the worst result in the party’s history.
But low turnout underlined Sir Keir’s message about the need to rebuild trust in the political system after 14 years of Tory rule.
Starmer’s wife Lady Victoria went from asking ‘who the f*** does he think he is’ to incoming PM’s right-hand woman
The new PM pledged he would get the NHS back on its feet, secure our borders and cut energy bills.
He declared: “Brick by brick, we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity.”
Sir Keir arrived at Downing Street after midday, accompanied by his wife Lady Victoria, after a meeting with King Charles.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
The Starmers were welcomed by the cheers of Labour staffers and supporters, who had all lined up to listen to his historic speech.
Labour's expected victory is a significant turnaround from five years ago when the party crashed to its worst defeat since 1935 under Mr Corbyn.
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