Britain’s new Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed Friday in his first speech from Downing Street that his government would immediately get to work on “rebuilding” the country. “The work of change begins now. But be in no doubt, we will rebuild Britain,” he said after his party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections, ending 14 years of Conservative rule.

Crowds awaited the arrival of the 61-year-old former human rights lawyer at his new official residence, after meeting King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. “Now our country has decided to make a change, a national renewal and a return to politics in public service,” Starmer said.

Labour won 412 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons, according to Friday’s election results, well above the 326 threshold needed to have an absolute majority and govern alone. The Conservatives, led by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, 44, won 121 seats compared with 365 five years ago under Boris Johnson. It was the lowest figure in an election since the party was founded in 1834.

Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister

A full-fledged Starmer asserted that “politics can be a force for good,” without forgetting to dedicate a few words of thanks to the management of his predecessor, whom he praised for “the dedication and hard work he put into his leadership.” As he stressed, the current “lack of trust” in politicians can be cured “by actions, not words,” which is why he promised to treat “every citizen” in the country “with respect.”

Britain has had four prime ministers in just two years: the Conservatives’ Boris Johnson, Liz Truss (who was in power for just 44 days and had to resign after creating financial chaos with radical tax plans), Rishi Sunak and now Labour’s Keir Starmer, who will be joined by Angela Rayner, from Labour’s left wing, who will take over as deputy prime minister and “number 2” in the Government.

DZC (EFE, AFP)