UK general election 2024 results updates: Labour’s Starmer becomes PM

“At least it’s not the Tories,” my neighbour says as she shields herself from the rain with an umbrella.

That’s the feeling among many in the United Kingdom on Friday after the Labour Party’s landslide election win, or perhaps more accurately the Conservatives’ landslide loss.

Experts are saying voter turnout could be the lowest in more than 20 years – a sign that many have given up on the political system.

The economy is struggling, the National Health Service is overwhelmed and the scandal-hit Conservatives have dampened trust in politicians.

Read more here.

The new prime minister offers his closing remarks:

• If I asked you now whether you believe that Britain will be better for your children, I know too many of you would 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 only by the 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, to restore service and respect to politics, end the era of noisy performance, tread more lightly on your lives and unite our country, four nations standing together again, facing down as we have so often in our past the challenges of 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 the mission of national renewal.
• Our work is urgent, and we begin it today. Thank you very much.

The new prime minister pledges a number of changes:

• And yet this depends upon politicians, particularly those who stand for stability and moderation as I do, recognising when we must change course.
• For too long now, we’ve turned a blind eye as millions slid into greater insecurity: nurses, builders, drivers, carers, people doing the right thing, working harder every day, recognised at moments like these before yet as soon as the cameras stopped rolling, their lives are ignored.
• I want to say very clearly to those people: not this time.
• Changing a country is not like flicking a switch. The world is now a more volatile place. This will take a while.
• But have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately. Have no doubt that we will rebuild Britain with wealth created in every community, our NHS back on its feet facing the future, secure borders, safer streets, 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: the world-class schools and colleges, the affordable homes that I know are the ingredients of hope for working people. The security that working class families like mine can build their lives around.

Starmer continues:

• 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, in fact, especially if you did not, I say to you directly: My government will serve you.
• Politics can be a force for good. We will show that we’ve changed the Labour Party, returned it to service and that is how we will govern the country.
• Country first, party second.
• Yet if I’m honest, service is merely a precondition of hope. And it is surely clear to everyone our country needs a bigger reset, a rediscovery of who we are, because no matter how fierce the storms of history, one of the great strengths of this nation has always been our ability to navigate away to calmer waters.

He continues:

• When the gap between the sacrifices made by people, and the service they receive from politicians grows this big, it leads to a weariness in the heart of a nation.
• A draining away of the hope, the spirit, the belief in a better future, that we need to move forward together.
• Now this wound, this lack of trust can only be healed by actions, not words, I know that.
• But we can make a start today with the simple acknowledgement that public service is a privilege and that your government should treat every single person in this country with respect.

The new leader says:

• 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. His achievement as the first British Asian prime minister of our country, the extra effort that that would have 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 the return of politics to public service.

Stay tuned for his remarks.

The new prime minister has arrived at his new official residence, where he is greeting supporters to loud cheers.

Starmer is expected to deliver a statement shortly.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has officially become the UK’s new prime minister, after the ceremonial “kissing of hands” with King Charles III.

Starmer’s arrival at the palace follows the resignation that Sunak tendered to the king earlier.

The Labour leader will now accept the request of King Charles III to form a government after his party’s landslide victory.

In a ceremony known as the “kissing of hands”, Starmer will officially become prime minister and then head to his official residence at Number 10 Downing Street.