Starmer promises to ‘rebuild Britain’,
Sunak accepts responsibility, defeat

LONDON: After gaining 211 and overall, 412 out of 650 seats in House of Commons in general elections on Thursday, the Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer on Friday promised that his Labour government will work from day one on national renewal, in his first speech as UK prime minister from Downing Street. “The work of change begins immediately. But have no doubt, we will rebuild Britain,” he said, after Labour ended 14 years of Conservative rule in a landslide election win.

Following Labour’s landslide victory in the general election, Starmer met King Charles at Buckingham Palace on Friday, where he was invited to form a government. Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak resigned earlier, acknowledging his party’s catastrophic defeat.

Starmer highlighted the need for unity and a patient approach to rebuilding the country. “Our work is urgent – and we begin it today,” he declared, emphasising the need for new schools, affordable homes, and restoring public trust in government. He invited all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation, to join his “government of service” in the mission of national renewal.

Ended14 years of often tumultuous Conservative government by trouncing Rishi Sunak’s party.

With many results still to be announced from Thursday’s vote, centre-left

On a humiliating night for Sunak, the Conservatives have so far only won 70 and were predicted to suffer the worst performance in the party’s long history with voters punishing them for a cost-of-living crisis, failing public services, and a series of scandals.

“Tonight, people here and around the country have spoken and they’re ready for change, to end the politics of performance, a return to politics as public service,” Starmer said after winning his seat in London.

“The change begins right here … You have voted. It is now time for us to deliver.” Sunak conceded defeat and said he had called Starmer to congratulate him on his victory. “Today power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner, with goodwill on all sides,” he said after regaining his seat. “There is much to learn and reflect on and I take responsibility for the loss to the many good hardworking Conservative candidates … I am sorry.”

Despite his convincing victory, polls have suggested there is little enthusiasm for Starmer or his party, and he comes to power at a time when the country is facing a series of daunting challenges.

Following exit polls that revealed a landslide victory for the Labour Party, its leader, Keir Starmer said that people were now “ready for change.”
Starmer’s remarks were made on a stage after his win from the Holborn and St Pancras constituency in north London.
“Tonight, people here and around the country have spoken. They are ready for change…The change begins right here because this is your democracy, your community and your future. You have voted and now it is time for us to deliver,” Starmer said as reported by CNN.

Cabinet members

Rachel Reeves becomes the UK’s first female chancellor as Keir Starmer appoints his cabinet

Angela Rayner is made deputy prime minister, Yvette Cooper becomes home secretary and David Lammy is the new foreign secretary

Rishi Sunak’s final speech

Outgoing Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak on Friday apologised to the country after the Conservative Party’s drubbing in the general election, its worst-ever in recent times and accepted blame for the defeat.
Sunak in his last speech to the nation as Prime Minister from outside 10 Downing Street said, “To the country, I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry. 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 judgement that matters. I take responsibility for this loss…Following this result, I will step down as party leader…”

The 44-year-old leader said that he will step down as leader of the Conservative party which suffered a landslide loss in the election.
“Following this result, I will step down as party leader,” he said, a move that is set to trigger a contest for the next Conservative leader.
Labour Party won the UK general as per results declared from almost all the parliamentary seats. Keir Starmer will be the next prime minister and is due to meet the king shortly where he’ll be invited to form a government.
The Conservative Party lost more than 250 seats and now faces life in opposition.
“…This is a difficult day at the end of a number of difficult days. This is the best country in the world and it is thanks entirely to you, the British people,” said Sunak.
In his farewell speech as PM, Sunak wished the “decent public spirited man” Starmer. “Whilst he has been my political opponent, Keir Starmer, will shortly become our prime minister. In this job, his successes will be all our successes, and I wish him and his family well. Whatever our disagreements in this campaign, He is a decent, public spirited man who I respect,” said Sunak.
The outgoing PM said he had heard the “anger” of British voters, who delivered his Conservative Party its worst-ever defeat, and apologized to the candidates who had lost their seats.
“To all the conservative candidates and campaigners who worked tirelessly, but without success, I am sorry that we could not deliver what your efforts deserved. It pains me to think how many good colleagues who contributed so much to their communities and our country will now no longer sit in the House of Commons. I thank them for their hard work and their service,” said Sunak.
Reflecting on his 21-month premiership, Sunak said he had “returned stability to our economy” and rebuilt Britain’s relations with its allies.
“I have given this job my all. But you have sent a clear message, and yours is the only judgement that matters. This is a difficult day, but I leave this job honoured to have been Prime Minister of the best country in the world,” said Sunak.
He singled out a major deal he struck to normalize relations between the UK and European Union in the wake of Brexit – a policy he championed – as another of his achievements.
“When I first stood here as your prime minister, I told you the most important task I had was to return stability to our economy. Inflation is backed to target, mortgage rates are falling and growth has returned. We have enhanced our standing in the world, rebuilding relations with allies, leading global efforts to support Ukraine, and becoming the home of new generation of transformative technologies. And our United Kingdom is stronger too. With the Windsor framework, devolution restored in Northern Ireland, and our union strengthened. I’m proud of those achievements. I believe this country is safer, stronger, and more secure than it was 20 months ago. And it is more prosperous, fairer and resilient than it was in 2010,” said Sunak.
The next step in the handover of power in the UK is Sunak calling on King Charles after which Starmer will be invited to the palace and invited to form the next government. (ANI)

Ishaq Dar

Pakistan’s Deputy PM Ishaq Dar congratulates Starmer on Labour Party’s victory during UK elections. Starmer’s Labour Party secured landslide victory earlier today in the UK election ending 14 years of Conservative rule

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar has congratulated Keir Starmer, the leader of the UK’s Labour Party, on the party’s historic victory in the parliamentary election.

In a statement posted on his X timeline, Dar extended “heartfelt felicitations” to Starmer, expressing confidence that the “deep-rooted and broad-based ties” between Pakistan and the UK, founded on shared history and people-to-people contacts, will be further strengthened under Starmer’s leadership.

DPM Dar expressed optimism that the two countries will work together to promote global peace, prosperity and development.