Keir Starmer, Labour leader in his inaugural speech has said he will work to restore the hope of the people in the government as he pledged to fight every day until the citizens of the United Kingdom (UK) have better lives.
He officially became the UK’s new prime minister, after the ceremonial “kissing of hands” with King Charles III.
Starmer arrived at Buckingham Palace following Rishi Sunak’s tendered resignation to the king earlier.
The Labour leader then accepted the request of King Charles III to form a government after his party’s landslide victory.
After the ceremony known as the “kissing of hands”, Starmer officially became prime minister and then headed to his official residence at Number 10 Downing Street.
Read also: Who is Keir Starmer? Britain’s next Prime Minister
Starmer at Downing Street with his wife to meet the cheers of friends, supporters and party members who gathered to welcome him as he delivered his inaugural speech.
Full text of Starmer’s speech
Good afternoon I have just returned from Buckingham Palace where I accepted an invitation from his majesty the King to form the next government of this great nation.
I want to thank the outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his achievement as the first British-Asian Prime Minister of our Country. The Extra effort that would have been required should not be underestimated by anyone. We pay tribute to that today and we also recognise the dedication and hard work he brought to his leadership.
But now our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and return of politics to public servants. When the sacrifices of the people the sacrifices made by people and the service received from politicians grow this big, it leads to weariness in the heart of the nation, draining away the hope of the spirit, and belief in a better future.
We need to move forward together. Now this wound, this lack of trust can only be healed by actions, not words. I know that we can make a start again by acknowledgement, that public service is a privilege and that your government should treat every single person in this country with respect.
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 especially if you did not I say to you directly my government will serve you politics can be a false prelude we will we change the Labour party we’ve turned it to service and that is our we will govern. Country first party second.
Yet if I’m honest, service is merely a pre-condition of hope and it is surely clear to everyone that our country needs a bigger reset, a rediscovery of whom we are because no matter how fierce the storms of history one of the greatest strengths to this nation has always been our ability to navigate our way to calmers waters.
Yet this depends on politicians particularly those who stand for stability and moderation as I do recognize that we must change course for too long now we’ve turned a blind eye as millions slipped into greater insecurity, nurses, builders, drivers, carers people doing the right thing working harder everyday recognized at moments like this before yet as soon as the camera stops rolling their lives are ignored.
I want to say very clearly to those people that this time of change in our country is not making a switch, the world is now a more volatile place. This would take a while but I do not doubt that the work of change begins immediately.
Have no doubt we will rebuild Britain with wealth created in every community, our NHIS back on its feet facing the future, secured borders, safer streets, and everyone treated with dignity and respect at work. The opportunity of clean British power cutting your energy bills for good.
And brick by brick we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity, world-class schools and colleges, affordable homes that I know are the ingredients of hope for working people. The security for working-class families like mine could build their lives around.
If I ask you now whether you believe Britain will be better for your children I know too many of you will say no and so my government will fight every day until you believe again.
From now on you have a government unburdened by doctrine guided by determination to serve your interest to defy quietly those who have written our country off.
You have given us a clear mandate and we will use it to deliver change, restore service respect top politics and the era of noisy performance tread more likely in your lives and unite our country.
Four nations standing together again facing down as we have so often in our past the challenges in an insecure world committed to a calm and patient rebuilding so with respect and humility I invite you all to join this government of service in a mission of national renewal our work is urgent and we begin it today.
