'Country Needs A Bigger Reset': Starmer In First Speech as UK PM | Key Highlights

UK Election Results 2024 LIVE: The suspense over who'll be the UK's new Prime Minister comes to an end after the counting of votes concluded. The results came a day after the polling was held. Keir Starmer-led Labour Party emerged victorious, while Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party dealt a bruising defeat. As Labour crossed the halfway mark of 650 constituencies to clinch the minimum 326 required for a majority in the Parliament, Starmer, 61, stepped up to make his victory speech in Central London just a few hours away from formally becoming the new Prime Minister of the country. "We did it, you campaigned for it, you fought for it, you voted for it and now it has arrived, change begins now," asserted Starmer to the crowd, promising that the party will begin work right away. He pledged “national renewal” following 14 years of Conservative rule. Besides these two main parties, people chose winners from a list of candidates representing the Liberal Democrats, Green Party, Scottish National Party (SNP), SDLP, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Sinn Fien, Plaid Cymru, Workers' Party, the anti-immigration Reform Party and several contesting as Independent.

Republic brings you all the latest updates:

Angela Rayner named as deputy prime minister

New UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer appointed Angela Rayner as his deputy on Friday after Labour swept to power in a landslide general election win over the Conservatives.

Rayner, 44, became Starmer's first confirmed appointment to his cabinet and will also hold the brief of minister for levelling up, housing and communities, Downing Street said in a statement.

David Lammy new UK foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper interior minister

New UK prime minister Keir Starmer appointed David Lammy as foreign secretary and Yvette Cooper as interior minister on Friday, following Labour's landslide victory in the general election.

Lammy, 51, a pioneering black lawmaker, succeeds the Conservatives' David Cameron as Britain's top diplomat. Meanwhile, Cooper, 55, takes charge of the Home Office, known for its challenging responsibilities.

What we learned from the UK's general election that will shape politics over the coming years

 The UK has its first change in government in 14 years after the Labour Party won a landslide victory early Friday in a general election that saw the Conservative Party suffer its biggest defeat ever.

The new government faces huge challenges, including fixing the country's sluggish economic and social malaise resulting in part from the UK's exit from the European Union, the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and several Conservative Party scandals.

Here are some things we learned: A fraying two-party system For the past 100 years, Britain's two main political parties have garnered the vast majority of votes. In 1951, for example, the Conservatives and Labour netted nearly 97 per cent of the vote combined.

Angela Rayner Arrives in Downing Street

Angela Rayner arrived in Downing Street. Labour’s elected deputy leader, she will be deputy Prime Minister in the Keir Starmer government.

Leader of the Conservatives Andrew RT Davies Wishes Keir Starmer

The leader of the Conservatives in the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies, has offered best wishes to the new prime minister, and thanked outgoing prime minister Rishi Sunak. In a message on social media, he said, “I’d like to wish Rishi Sunak and his family the very best as he leaves Downing Street, and the same to Keir Starmer as he takes over as our prime minister. Our great country deserves effective leadership, and I say with utmost sincerity that I hope he succeeds. Britain wins if he does.”

First pictures of PM Keir at 10 Downing Street

The first pictures of prime minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria entering 10 Downing Street, which will be their new home, have arrived.

Key highlights of Keir Starmer’s 1st speech as UK PM 

• "The work of change begins immediately," he told the nation from a lectern on Downing Street, though he acknowledged this would not be as simple as "flicking a switch"
• Citing the need for schools affordable homes, Starmer vowed to "rebuild" country's "infrastructure of opportunity", doing so "brick by brick"
• He vowed a "government of service" and spoke of the need for a national "reset"
• The new PM made sure to highlight the "challenges of an insecure world"
• Sir Keir's debut appearance on Downing Street comes after he was officially asked by the King to form a new government. He led Labour to a landslide election win following a collapse in the Tory vote
• He also saluted the work of his predecessor Rishi Sunak as the first British Asian PM

Changing country not like flicking a switch: UK PM Starmer 

Starmer says "changing a country is not like flicking a switch" as he acknowledges the world "is more volatile". "It will take a while," he adds but says work to change will begin immediately. 

'We will govern country first, party second': Starmer 

“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. We’ve changed the Labour party, returned it to service, and that is how we will govern. Country first, party second," Starmer says. 

UK PM Starmer pays tribute to Former PM Rishi Sunak 

Keir Starmer pays tribute to Rishi Sunak. "The extra effort he faced as “the first British Asian Prime Minister”. Starmer says “we also recognize the dedication and hard work he brought to his leadership.”

New prime minister Starmer heads to Downing Street

Keir Starmer becomes UK PM 

Keir Starmer has just officially become prime minister. 

Keir Starmer arrives at Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles

Starmer arrives at Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles 

Rishi Sunak leaves Buckingham palace

Rishi Sunak left the Palace. His car left the front gates and sped away, past what has become quite a crowd of curious tourists.

Rishi Sunak Resigns as Conservative Party Leader

Buckingham palace has confirmed Sunak's resignation has been accepted by the King.

Key developments so far

1. Conservative leader Rishi Sunak announces resignation, pending successor's appointment.

2. Sunak takes accountability for party's electoral setbacks, issues national apology.

3. Emphasizes Conservative achievements in economy and society over 14-year tenure.

4. Sunak praises incoming PM Keir Starmer as a "decent, public-spirited man" poised to lead effectively.

5. Outgoing PM formally resigns after meeting with the King.

Rishi Sunak visits King Charles 

Rishi Sunak is now visiting King Charles as part of the handover of power in the UK. After that, Keir Starmer will be invited to the palace and invited to form the next government.

Highlights of outgoing UK PM Rishi Sunak’s farewell speech 

1. I believe this country is safer, stronger, and more secure than it was 20 months ago. And it is more prosperous, fairer and resilient than it was in 2010.
2. We have enhanced our standing in the world, rebuilding relations with allies, leading global efforts to support Ukraine, and becoming the home of new generation of transformative technologies.
3. To all the conservative candidates and campaigners who worked tirelessly, but without success, I am sorry that we could not deliver what your efforts deserved.
4. I have given this job my all but you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change and yours is the only judgment that matters. I have heard your anger, your disappointment. And I take responsibility for this loss.
5. I leave this job honoured to have been your prime minister. This is the best country in the world. And it is thanks entirely to you, the British people, the true source of all our achievements, our strengths, and our greatness. Thank you.

Rishi Sunak highlights economic triumphs and global leadership in farewell speech 

Rishi Sunak begins his farewell speech by saying: “When I first stood here as your prime minister, I told you the most important task I had was to return stability to our economy. Inflation is backed to target, mortgage rates are falling and growth has returned.

We have enhanced our standing in the world, rebuilding relations with allies, leading global efforts to support Ukraine, and becoming the home of new generation of transformative technologies.

And our United Kingdom is stronger too. With the Windsor framework, devolution restored in Northern Ireland, and our union strengthened.

I’m proud of those achievements. I believe this country is safer, stronger, and more secure than it was 20 months ago. And it is more prosperous, fairer and resilient than it was in 2010.”

Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty greeted by Sir Clive Alderton 

Rishi Sunak, with his wife Akshata Murty at his side, was greeted by Sir Clive Alderton, principal private secretary to the King and Queen, and the King's equerry Commander William Thornton.

Clear signal that the government must change: Rishi Sunak in his farewell speech

Speaking in his farewell speech, outgoing UK PM Rishi Sunak says, “I gave the job all but voters have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change. My judgement of the public is th4e only judgement that matters. 

Rishi Sunak arrives at Buckingham Palace

Marking his last journey as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak arrived at Buckingham Palace to meet the King.

• PM Modi Extends Wishes to Starmer

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Labour Party's Keir Starmer for his win.

"Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to @Keir_Starmer on the remarkable victory in the UK general elections. I look forward to our positive and constructive collaboration to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in all areas, fostering mutual growth and prosperity."

• 'Thank You For...': PM Modi's Message For Rishi Sunak Amid His Defeat in UK Polls

"Thank you @RishiSunak for your admirable leadership of the UK, and your active contribution to deepen the ties between India and the UK during your term in office. Best wishes to you and your family for the future," PM Modi's post on X read. 
 

• 'Look Forward to Working Closely...': Ukrainian Prez Zelenskyy Congratulates Labour For Victory

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended his best wishes to the Labour Party and Keir Starmer on their victory in the UK general elections in a post on X.

"Ukraine and the United Kingdom have been and will continue to be reliable allies through thick and thin. We will continue to defend and advance our common values of life, freedom, and a rules-based international order," Zelenskyy said in the post.

"I wish the incoming government every success both in domestic affairs and in solidifying the UK’s leadership on the world stage. I look forward to working closely together on strengthening the Ukraine-UK partnership and restoring international peace and security," the post read further.

• Record Number of Women MPs in House of Commons

A record number of 242 women MPs have been elected in the 2024 UK general elections and will sit in the new House of Commons, as per reports. In 2019, 220 women were elected.

• Home Secretary James Cleverly Holds on to His Seat

While Conservative candidates including Liz Truss, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Alex Chalk, Penny Mordaunt, Gillian Keegan, Johnny Mercer and Grant Shapps are among senior leaders to lose their seats, Home Secretary James Cleverly retained Braintree in the recent general elections. 

• 'We Haven't Delivered...': Truss on Conservative's Loss

Speaking to the media, former UK PM Truss said that the party failed as it didn't deliver sufficiently on the policies people wanted.

"We haven't delivered sufficiently on the policies people want."

• Defeated Sunak Heads To London To Tender Resignation: Report

As per the latest UK media reports, Conservative leader Rishi Sunak departed from Teesside Airport on Friday, July 5, and headed for London where he plans to tender his resignation to the British monarch. 

• Conservative Candidate Loses Ex-PM Boris Johnson's Seats

Labour Party's Danny Beales has defeated the Conservatives in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, previously the seat of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The Conservatives lost the seats of former prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May too. Former PM Liz Truss also lost her constituency.

• Former PM Liz Truss Loses Her Seat

Sunak's predecessor Liz Truss lost her seat in South West Norfolk. The former PM secured 11,217 votes, while Labour candidate Terry Jermy secured 11,847 votes.

• 'Let’s Get to It, My Friend': Trudeau Congratulates Starmer on Win

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Labour leader Keir Starmer and his party on the win.

Taking to X, Trudeau said, “Congratulations, @Keir_Starmer, on a historic U.K. election victory. Lots of work ahead to build a more progressive, fair future for people on both sides of the Atlantic. Let’s get to it, my friend.”

• 'Change Begins Right Here': Keir Starmer-The Next UK Prime Minister

Amid the Labour Party's win in the 2024 general elections in the UK, Keir Starmer took to X and thanked his supporters. his post read, "The work of change begins today."

• What Are the Final Results

As per polls, the Labour Party secured 409 seats while the Sunak-led Conservative came second in the race with just 117 seats. The Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party (SNP) and others won 70,8 and 33 respectively. 

Labour- 409

Conservative- 117

LD- 70

SNP- 8

Others- 33

• Labour Emerged Victorious Here:

As per UK media, the Labour Party has registered gains in the following:

Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock, taken from the SNP
Na h-Eileanan an Iar, from the SNP
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, from the SNP
Birmingham Northfield, taken from the Conservatives
Dartford, from the Conservatives
Earley and Woodley, from the Conservatives
East Worthing and Shoreham, from the Conservatives
North Northumberland, from the Conservatives
Peterborough, from the Conservatives
Chatham and Aylesford, from the Conservatives
South Norfolk, from the Conservatives
Sherwood Forest, from the Conservatives
Bournemouth West, from the Conservatives
North East Somerset and Hanham, from the Conservatives
Ashford, from the Conservatives
Labour take Mid Derbyshire from the Conservatives
Loughborough from the Conservatives
Wakefield and Rothwell from the Conservatives
Halesowen from the Conservatives
Morecambe and Lunesdale from the Conservatives
Rochester and Strood from the Conservatives
Stoke-on-Trent Central from the Conservatives
Basingstoke from the Conservatives
Scarborough and Whitby from the Conservatives
Hull West and Haltemprice from the Conservatives
Cities of London and Westminster from the Conservatives
Truro and Falmouth from the Conservatives
Calder Valley from the Conservatives
North East Hertfordshire from the Conservatives
Leeds North West from the Conservatives
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy from the SNP
Glasgow North from the SNP

• Liberal Democrats Registered Wins in:

Surrey Heath, taken from the Conservatives
North Shropshire, from the Conservatives
Chippenham, from the Conservatives
Taunton and Wellington, from the Conservatives
Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe from the Conservatives

• 'We did it': Labour Wins UK General Election

As the results were announced and Labour emerged victorious, Keir Starmer addressing the crowd in central London began his speech by saying "Thank you."

"We did it", he said. "You campaigned for it, you fought for it - and now it has arrived."

"Change begins now," he asserted.

"A burden finally removed from the shoulders of this great nation."

He added that now the UK can "look forward again [and] walk into the morning".

"The sunlight of hope, pale at first but getting stronger through the day. Shining once again on a country with an opportunity after 14 years to get its future back."

• 'I Have Given My All...': Sunak Concedes Defeat, Congratulates Starmer

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded the election to Keir Starmer and the Labour Party even after holding his seat in Richmond & Northallerton.

"The Labour Party has won this general election, and I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory," he said.

"I will now head down to London, where I will say more about tonight's result, before I leave the job as prime minister, to which I have given my all."

• With Over Half of All Seats Counted, What Are the Results So Far? (Official)

With over half of the 650 seats declared so far, Labour is emerging way ahead of other parties with at least 265 seats.

Check the latest numbers below:

Conservative Party - 50

Labour Party - 266

Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) - 3

Liberal Democrats - 21

Reform UK - 3

Others - 1

• Labour Suffers in Areas with Muslim Majority Over its Gaza Stance

As the counting is underway, Starmer-led Labour appears to suffer in areas with big Muslim communities over its stance on the conflict in Gaza. Jonathan Ashworth, a key Labour leader,  lost his Leicester South seat in central England to an independent candidate who had 'Gaza at the heart of his campaign.'

Amid the October 7 unprecedented attack by the Hamas, labour leader Keir Starmer took a strong pro-Israel stand and maintained it even as the death toll in Gaza rose. Following this, many Muslims who had been traditional Labour voters were aghast and turned to other candidates.

• Defence Secretary Grant Shapps Loses His Seat:

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, a strong figure in the Conservative Party history has lost his seat in the 2024 elections.

Shapps, 55, lost Welwyn Hatfield to his Labour Party opponent Andrew Lewin with a margin of 4,000 or 8 per cent votes.

• Reform UK's Nigel Farage Wins Clacton-on-Sea in 8Th Attempt

Nigel Farage of the hard-right Reform UK party won the 
contest in the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea, becoming a lawmaker on his eighth attempt.

Farage said the party was "going to come second in hundreds of constituencies."

"My plan is to build a mass national movement over the course of the next few years," he said.

• 'I Will Speak For You, Have Your Back,' Says Keir

Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader poised to be the next UK Prime Minister thanked his supporters, saying that the the people of the country are "ready for change" and to "end the politics of performance".

In his victory speech after winning from Holborn and St Pancras, the 61-year-old Starmer said,  “I'll serve every person in this constituency.”

• Anti-Immigration Reform Party Wins its First seat in the Election

Reform UK, the recently formed anti-immigration party, won its first seat in the general election as Lee Anderson, the former Conservative deputy chairman held onto his seat in Ashfield in central England with 43 per cent of the vote.

• Conservative Lost Their First Seat:

Sunak-led Conservatives lost its first seat- the Swindon South seat in the UK general election. Former justice minister lost ther seat in Central England to Labour’s Heidi Alexander after his vote bank slumped by 25 per cent compared to the 2019 election.

• What's the current status:

Keir Starmer's Labour Party has crossed over 120 marks,  and stands at 129, as per sources, while Sunak's Conservative Party is stuck at 15.

• Meet the Political Parties and Candidates in the UK Election:

Conservatives

Leader: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
Seats they won in the last election- 365

Labour

Leader- Keir Starmer.
Seats they won in the last election- 202

Liberal Democrats

Leader- Ed Davey
Seats they won in the last election- 11

Reform UK

Leader-  Nigel Farage
Seats they won in the last election- None

Scottish National Party (SNP)

Leader- John Swinney
Seats they won in the last election- 48

Green Party

Leader-  Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay
Seats they won in the last election- 11