New British Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer on Tuesday congratulated outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for becoming the UK’s first British citizen of Asian descent.
In his first speech as British Prime Minister outside 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Starmer said: « The extra effort that this will have required » should not be « underestimated by anyone ».
He also said he recognised the « dedication and hard work » Sunak brought to his leadership.
« My government will fight every day until you believe again. Now you have a government free from doctrine, driven only by a determination to serve your interests, » Starmer added.
Citing the need to improve schools and provide affordable housing, Starmer vowed to « rebuild » the country’s « opportunity infrastructure » « brick by brick ».
He pledged to lead a « service government » and stressed the need for a national « reset. »
Starmer said he recognised the complexity of changing a nation: “Transforming a country is not like flicking a switch; it will take time. But we are starting now.” He added: “Service is the foundation of hope. Our nation needs a deep reset, a rediscovery of who we are. Through the storms of history, our strength lies in our ability to navigate to calmer waters.”
« My government will fight every day until you believe again. Now you have a government free from any doctrine, guided only by the determination to serve your interests, » he added.
The Labour Party has won the UK general election, bringing a new party to power for the first time in 14 years. Labour gained 412 seats (+211) and Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party fell to 121 seats (-250) in the 650-seat House of Commons.
Later in the day, Starmer met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. He was then formally asked to form a government.
Outgoing Prime Minister Sunak, while acknowledging defeat, said the opposition Labour Party had won. Sunak added that the British people had delivered a “sobering verdict” and that there was much to learn and ponder.
“The British people have delivered a sobering verdict tonight… and I take responsibility for that defeat,” said Sunak, Britain’s first black prime minister.
“The Labour Party has won this general election and I called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory,” Sunak said after winning his parliamentary seat of Richmond and Northallerton in northern England.
Sunak took over as prime minister in 2022 after his predecessor, Liz Truss, resigned after just 45 days in office.