Keir Starmer officially becomes Prime Minister and promises to rebuild Britain
Keir Starmer has met the King and has given a speech on Downing Street
Last updated 5th Jul 2024
Keir Starmer is our new Prime Minister and has promised to rebuild trust in politics and restore hope to the nation.
In his first speech on Downing Street, Sir Keir said the British people had voted “decisively for change”.
Sir Keir said the country could “move forward together” as Labour took office following 14 years of Conservative rule.
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After Labour won a huge majority in the General Election, Rishi Sunak resigned as Prime Minister earlier today.
Rishi Sunak gave a speech outside Downing Street in which he apologised to the public before heading to Buckingham Palace to resign as Prime Minister.
Sir Keir Starmer then went to Buckingham Palace to officially become Prime Minister.
The crucial moment of Sir Keir’s audience will have seen the King formally ask him to form the next administration.
Starmer greets crowds and gives speech on 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.
He began his speech by paying tribute to his predecessor Rishi Sunak, but quickly turned his new leadership saying: “But now our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and a return of politics to public service.
“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.
“But we need to move forward together. 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 single person in this country with respect.”
He said “my Government will serve you, politics can be a force for good”, adding: “The work of change begins immediately, but have no doubt, we will rebuild Britain.”