Rishi Sunak exits 10 Downing, Keir Starmer new UK premier after landslide win for Labour Party

London, July 5

Keir Starmer became UK’s new Prime Minister on Friday and vowed to rebuild Britain, hours after his Labour Party secured a landslide victory in a general election in which the weary voters inflicted a “sobering verdict” on Rishi Sunak-led Conservatives, who suffered their worst drubbing.

Editorial: Labour all the way

Starmer, 61, assumed charge as the 58th PM after his customary audience with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, following Sunak’s meeting with the monarch.

Modi greets Keir on ‘remarkable’ win

PM Modi congratulated Labour leader Keir Starmer on his party’s landslide win and said he looked forward to their positive and constructive collaboration to further strengthen the India-UK comprehensive strategic partnership. Modi also praised outgoing PM Sunak for his admirable leadership and contribution to deepen the India-UK relations.

The Labour Party secured 412 seats in the 650-member House of Commons, up 211 from 2019. Sunak’s Conservatives won 121 seats, down 250 seats from last election. While the Labour had a vote share of 33.7 per cent, the Conservatives had 23.7 per cent.

“Our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and a return of politics for public service,” said Starmer in his inaugural address from a lectern outside 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the British Prime Minister. As leader of a new Labour Party-led government, Starmer said the work ahead is “urgent and we begin it today”. However, he said this would not be as simple as “flicking a switch”.

“When the gap between the sacrifices made by people and the service they receive from politicians grows this big, it leads to the 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,” he said.

Starmer acknowledged that the lack of trust could only be healed by actions, not words and pledged that his government would treat every single person in the country with respect. The incoming PM also had warm words for his 44-year-old predecessor, Sunak, who he praised for an added accomplishment. “His achievement as the first British Asian PM of our country, the extra effort that will have required should not be underestimated by anyone. We pay tribute to that today and recognise that dedication,” he said.