History has been made as little known Keir Starmer has officially taken over the baton of leadership from Mr Rishi Sunak as the new British Prime Minister.
This is coming after his Labour Party won overwhelmingly in the just concluded election in the United Kingdom.
In his first speech as Prime Minister, Mr Starmer has vowed that “the work of change begins immediately”.
The Labour leader said he would work to rebuild the country “brick by brick” in a speech outside No10 Downing Street on Friday afternoon.
He also said the country could “move forward together” as Labour took office following 14 years of Conservative rule.
He became only the fourth Labour leader in history to win the majority of seats in a general election after his party’s landslide victory.
With 648 of 650 seats declared, Labour had a majority of 176 on 412 seats with the Tories reduced to a rump of 121.
Starmer was made Prime Minister following a visit with the King at Buckingham Palace.
Starmer in his speech said, “Changing a country is not like flicking a switch. The world is now a more volatile place. This will take a while.
“But have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately. Have no doubt that we will rebuild Britain, with wealth created in every community. Our NHS back on its feet facing the future. Secure borders, safer streets, everyone treated with dignity and respect at work. The opportunity of clean British power, cutting your energy bills for good.
“Brick by brick, we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity. The world-class schools and colleges, the affordable homes that I know are the ingredients of hope for working people. The security, the working-class families like mine could build their lives around.”
“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 continued, “If you voted Labour yesterday, we will carry the responsibility of your trust as we rebuild our country.
“But 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.”
