Photo: Keir Starmer, new UK president (Photo: Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters)
by Kristen Ku
BELIZE CITY, Fri. July 5, 2024
Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, is the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following his party’s huge victory in the 2024 general elections, in which they won 412 out of 650 seats in Parliament. The Conservative Party, which previously held power, managed to win only 121 seats.
Starmer, who took over the Labour Party’s leadership in 2020, aimed to rebuild the party after its worst defeat in 85 years. His efforts paid off, as he led the party to a major comeback, becoming the Prime Minister four years later. On Thursday, Starmer entered 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the Prime Minister, marking the beginning of his tenure.
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak accepted defeat early on the morning of July 4, acknowledging the heavy losses suffered by the Conservatives, and submitted his resignation to King Charles III. Sunak expressed his regret to the British public, taking responsibility for the election results and the challenges he faced in office.
Despite facing criticism for a perceived lack of charisma, Starmer’s approach and promises of change resonated with voters. He pledged to steer the country towards calmer and more stable times after years of economic difficulties and political turmoil under the Conservative government.
One of Starmer’s first actions as Prime Minister was to begin forming his Cabinet. He appointed Rachel Reeves as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, making her the first woman to hold this position in the UK. Starmer also named Angela Rayner as the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities.
In his first speech as Prime Minister, Starmer said, “You have given us a clear mandate, and we will use it to deliver change, to restore service and respect to politics, end the era of noisy performance, tread more lightly on your lives, and unite our country.”
Starmer is, notably, also a human rights lawyer from a small town in southern England, who entered politics only nine years ago. Since becoming Labour leader in 2020, he has transformed the party from its lowest point to one of the strongest in British politics.