Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of Labour Party, has officially been appointed as the Prime Minister of United Kingdom.
His appointment become official after an audience with King Charles.
Our work is urgent and we begin it today’: Sir Keir Starmer says in first address as prime minister
The new prime minister gave his first address to the nation on the steps of Downing Street as he said it was time for the “return of politics to public service”.
Sir Keir Starmer has said “our work is urgent and we begin it today” as he addressed the nation for the first time after he officially became the prime minister.
Entering Downing Street for the first time as prime minister, Sir Keir greeted a crowd of cheering Labour supporters waving Union, Welsh and Scottish flags before he addressed the nation in front of Number 10.
Much of the country was turned red overnight, with Rishi Sunak conceding defeat just before 5am on Friday and Sir Keir claiming victory shortly after.
Sir Keir started his first address by thanking Mr Sunak for his “achievement as the first British Asian prime minister of our country”, adding that the “extra effort” that will have required “should not be underestimated by anyone”.
The new PM said the country has “voted decisively for change, for national renewal and the return of politics to public service”.
He spoke of people disengaging with politics, 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 that we need to move forward together.”
To voters who did not vote for the Labour Party, Sir Keir said: “My government will serve you.”
“Politics can be a force for good – we will show that,” he added.
He said: “If I asked you now whether you believed that Britain will be better for your children, I know too many of you will say no – and so my government will fight until you believe again.”
But he warned changing a country “is not like flicking a switch…this will take a while, but I have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately”.
Sir Keir invited “you all to join this government of service in the mission of national renewal”.
He said his government will be “unburdened by doctrine, guided only by the determination to serve your interest, to defy quietly those who have written our country off”.
“Our work is urgent and we begin it today,” he concluded to cheers.
