New PM Starmer pledges to rebuild Britain after years of chaos

Labour's landslide win ends 14 years of Tory rule as Sunak takes blame for loss

- 

Britain’s new prime minister Keir Starmer pledged on July 5 to use his massive electoral majority to rebuild the country, saying he wanted to take the heat out of politics after years of upheaval and strife.

Standing outside his new office and residence at 10 Downing Street, Mr Starmer cut a serious figure, acknowledging the scale of the challenges that faced him after his party’s landslide victory in a parliamentary election ended 14 years of often tumultuous Conservative government.

He warned that any improvements would take time, and he would need to first rebuild faith in politics. “This lack of trust can only be healed by actions, not words. I know that,” 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. Politics can be a force for good. We will show that.”

Mr Starmer was greeted by huge cheers and in turn took time before making his speech to shake hands with and hug aides and well-wishers who lined Downing Street.

Standing behind a lectern, he said he understood that many Britons were disillusioned with politics after years of scandal and chaos under the Conservatives, who were roundly rejected in the July 4 election, suffering a historic loss.

Mr Starmer said the rejection signalled that Britain was ready for a reset, adding: “Because no matter how fierce the storms of history, one of the great strengths of this nation has always been our ability to navigate away to calmer waters.”

The centre-left Labour won a massive majority in the 650-seat Parliament, prompting Mr Rishi Sunak’s resignation on the morning of July 5. Mr Starmer then went to meet King Charles III and was formally named prime minister.