New British Prime Minister Starmer, Wife Commit to Restructuring Britain Following Prolonged Unrest

New Prime Minister Starmer, Wife Commit to Reconstructing Britain Following Prolonged Unrest

By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde 

Labour leader Keir Starmer has vowed to address Britain's issues, emphasizing that significant change will take time. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will continue to lead the Conservative Party for now. 

OPEN TELEVISION Naija gathered that On July 5, Starmer, newly elected with a substantial majority, promised to use his position to rebuild the nation and calm the Political climate after years of instability. 

Speaking from 10 Downing Street, he acknowledged the significant challenges ahead following his party's landslide victory, which ended 14 years of Conservative rule. 

He stressed the importance of rebuilding trust in politics, saying, "This lack of trust can only be healed by actions, not words. I know that." 

Starmer assured both Labour supporters and non-supporters that his Government would serve everyone, aiming to prove that politics can be a positive force. His arrival was met with enthusiastic cheers, reminiscent of Tony Blair's 1997 victory, as he greeted and embraced aides and supporters before delivering his speech.

Speaking from behind a lectern, Starmer acknowledged the widespread disillusionment with politics after years of scandal and turmoil under the Conservative Government, which faced a historic defeat in Thursday's election. 

As gathered by OPEN TELEVISION Naija, Starmer stated that this overwhelming rejection signified Britain's desire for a fresh start: "Because no matter how fierce the storms of history, one of the great strengths of this nation has always been our ability to navigate our way to calmer waters." 

Labour secured a substantial majority in the 650-seat Parliament, leading to Rishi Sunak's resignation on Friday morning, before Starmer met King Charles to be officially appointed as the Prime Minister. Starmer pledged to work tirelessly to rebuild trust, promising a "Government unburdened by doctrine" and emphasizing his commitment to putting the country before party. He vowed to "defy, quietly, those who have written our country off" and to use the clear mandate given by the electorate to bring about change.

OPEN TELEVISION Naija revealed that the election has dramatically transformed British Politics. Labour won over 410 Seats, an increase of 211, while the Conservatives, historically the most successful Party in the Western World, lost 250 Seats, including a record number of Senior Ministers and former Prime Minister, Liz Truss.

This was the worst performance in the Conservative Party's long history, as voters punished them for the cost of living crisis, failing public services, and various scandals. 

"To the Country, I would like to say first and foremost I am sorry," Sunak stated outside Downing Street, adding that he would remain as Conservative leader until the party was ready to appoint his successor. Meanwhile, incoming British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria arrived at Number 10 Downing Street following the election results.

"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." 

OPEN TELEVISION Naija further revealed this, stating that despite Starmer's decisive victory, polls indicated a lack of enthusiasm for him or his Party. Due to the quirks of Britain's first-past-the-post system and low voter turnout, Labour's triumph was achieved with fewer votes than it received in 2017 and 2019, the latter being its worst result in terms of seats won in 84 years. The pound, British stocks, and Government bonds rose slightly on Friday, but Starmer assumes power at a time when the country faces numerous challenges. Britain's tax burden is set to reach its highest level since just after World War Two, net debt is nearly equivalent to annual economic output, living standards have declined, and Public services, particularly the National Health Service, are struggling, plagued by strikes.

Some of Labour's ambitious plans, such as their flagship green spending pledges, have already been scaled back. Starmer has also promised not to raise taxes for "working people." 

Additionally, he has vowed to scrap the Conservative policy of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda. However, with migration being a significant electoral issue, he will face pressure to address the influx of people arriving across the Channel from France on small boats. 

Starmer said at a victory rally, "I don't promise you it will be easy, because changing a country is not like flicking a switch. It's hard work. Patient, determined work, and we will have to get moving immediately." 

His initial appointments to his top team of Ministers included no surprises. Rachel Reeves was named Britain's first female Finance Minister, while Angela Rayner was made Deputy Prime Minister, and David Lammy was appointed Foreign Minister, all retaining the roles they held in opposition. The election results also showed an increase in support for the right-wing Reform party, led by Nigel Farage, mirroring recent gains by the far-right in Europe.

However, unlike France, where Marine Le Pen's National Rally Party made historic gains in an election last Sunday, the British public has chosen a centre-left party to bring about change.

Starmer has pledged to improve relations with the European Union after Brexit, although Labour has stated that rejoining the EU is not an option. 

He may also need to work with Trump if he wins the November presidential election, as Trump has already congratulated Farage via his social media platform, Truth Social.

OPEN TELEVISION Naija further, Domestically, while promising change, Starmer has committed to maintaining London's unequivocal support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. On many foreign issues, his policies align closely with Sunak's. 

The election victory marks an incredible turnaround for Starmer and Labour, which was seen as facing an existential crisis just three years ago following its severe defeat in 2019.