New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised yesterday to use the huge electoral majority to rebuild the country and said he wanted to reduce political tensions after years of turmoil and conflict.
Speaking outside his new office and residence at 10 Downing Street, Starmer acknowledged the scale of the challenge after his party's landslide victory in the general election ended 14 years of often turbulent Conservative rule.
He warned that any improvements would take time and that he would first have to restore faith in politics.
“This lack of trust can only be healed by actions, not words. I know that," he said.
"Whether you voted Labor or not, in fact, especially if you didn't, I'm telling you straight, my government will serve you. Politics can be a force for good. We will show it.”
Starmer was greeted with a standing ovation and before he began his speech, he shook hands and hugged aides and supporters, reminiscent of Labor predecessor Tony Blair's arrival in government in 1997, Reuters reported.
Starmer said he understood many Britons were disillusioned with politics after years of scandal and chaos under the Conservatives, who suffered a historic defeat in Thursday's election.
He pointed out that such a decision by the voters shows that Britain is ready for a new beginning: "For no matter how fierce the storms of history, one of the great strengths of this nation has always been our ability to find a way to calmer waters."
Centre-left Labor won a huge majority in the 650-seat parliament and Rishi Sunak resigned yesterday morning, before Starmer met King Charles and was formally appointed prime minister.
He said that he will fight every day to rebuild trust and emphasized what he repeated during the campaign - that he will put the country before the party.
"To defy, peacefully, those who wrote off our country. You have given us a clear mandate and we will use it to make a difference.”
Biden called Starmer to congratulate him on his victory, while Trump congratulated Nigel Farage via the Truth Social platform
Labor won more than 410 seats, an increase of 211, while the Conservatives, the most successful party in the western world, lost 250 MPs.
"First of all, I would like to say to the state that I am sorry," said Sunak, adding that he will remain in the position of leader of the conservatives until the party is ready to name his successor.
“I did my best for this job, but you have sent a clear signal that the UK government must change, and your judgment is the only one that matters. I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this defeat.”
It's a tough road ahead
Despite Starmer's landslide victory, polls showed little enthusiasm for him or his party. The specifics of Britain's first-past-the-post electoral system and low turnout allowed the Labor Party to win with fewer votes than in 2017 and 2019, the latter being their worst year in terms of seats won in 84 years.
Starmer comes to power at a time when the country is facing a series of difficult challenges.
Britain's tax burden is expected to reach its highest level since the immediate aftermath of World War II, net debt is almost equal to annual economic output, living standards have fallen and public services are creaking, especially the strike-ridden National Health Service.
Some of Labour's most ambitious plans such as investment in green technology have already been shelved as Starmer promised not to raise taxes on "working people". He has also promised to end the Conservatives' policy of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda, but with migration a key election issue, he himself will be under pressure to find a way to stop the tens of thousands of people coming across the Channel from France in small boats .
"I can't promise you it's going to be easy," Starmer said earlier at the victory rally. “The state does not change at the flick of a switch. It's hard work. Patient, determined work, and we'll have to go right away."
He appointed Rachel Reeves as Britain's first Chancellor of the Exchequer, Angela Rayner as Deputy Prime Minister, and David Lammy as Foreign Secretary.
Starmer has promised to improve relations with the European Union after Brexit, but rejoining the bloc is not on Labour's agenda.
He will also have to work with Donald Trump if he wins the presidential election in November. Trump has already congratulated Nigel Farage, whose populist Reform Party won more than four million votes, many from former Conservative voters, through his Truth Social platform.
The White House announced yesterday that US President Joe Biden called Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.
"The leaders reaffirmed the special relationship between our countries and the importance of working together in support of freedom and democracy around the world," the White House statement said.
Although he promised to bring changes to the country, Starmer said he would continue London's unequivocal support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. In many foreign matters, his policy is similar to Sunak's.
Reuters points out that the election victory is an incredible turnaround for Starmer and Labour, which critics and supporters said were facing an existential crisis just three years ago, when they appeared to have lost their way after a heavy defeat in 2019.
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