Live: Keir Starmer officially becomes UK new prime minister
Visit our website:
http://www.france24.com
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English
Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/France24_en
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00And Benedict, tell us what are we expecting Keir Starmer to say?
00:05Well, let's first point out that the United Kingdom now has a new prime minister.
00:11Keir Starmer met moments ago the head of state, King Charles.
00:16Mr Sunak had tendered his resignation. I can tell you that the street is filled not only
00:21with UK media and international media and photographers, but also a lot of people who
00:28work for and will work for this new government. What we expect is a speech where a rather humble
00:38Keir Starmer, as he's been during the campaign, the 61-year-old former human rights lawyer,
00:43former director of public prosecution, will come into the street for the first time indeed as
00:49the head of the new government, prime minister. He's going to be announcing,
00:54we understand this afternoon, many of the appointments of the senior posts and possibly
00:59the great majority of the people he wants in ministerial posts. He will, I think, say he's
01:05going to get to work immediately, that they've been preparing for a long time. Let's remember,
01:11it's been a conservative rule for 14 years. So we'll have probably the confirmation of Rachel
01:17Reeves later on this afternoon as his finance minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer, maybe
01:21David Lammy as Foreign Secretary. That's very much the expectation. For example, Yvette Cooper
01:26as the Home Secretary. I think he will say that the pledges that he made during the campaign
01:33will be very much the pledges that he does everything he can to improve people's lives,
01:38that that trust that has been placed in him and his team is one that he values, one that he wants
01:45to honour. Because one of the issues for a long time, but particularly in this six-week election
01:50campaign, has been really the noticeable trust issue, a decline in trust in government here,
02:00particularly, for example, because of party gait during the pandemic. Remember Boris Johnson
02:06and indeed Rishi Sunak who got fined for throwing parties in 10 Downing Street when they were busy
02:12telling the nation implementing all kinds of very, very strict rules because of the COVID pandemic.
02:18So I think he will use that expression about him serving the country, serving the people,
02:25and that he is there to bring that back into British politics, because the Labour staff says
02:32very much that that has been abused in during the 14 years of rule of the Conservatives. He will talk,
02:37I think, very much about supporting and improving the National Health Service, which has extremely
02:44long waiting lists, which are problematic because people are missing operations,
02:49not least because there's been a junior doctor strike. I'm sure he'll talk probably about
02:55teachers and the fact that how important education is. And I should point out actually in the people
03:01who are families who are in front of us here, who I think are going to be worse for the team,
03:07there are an awful lot of young children. And interesting to see that they are waving union
03:12jacks. They've been given union jacks, small union jacks. Also, I see Welsh flags and I saw a
03:17soul tile. So it's interesting. I think this is very much wanting to show that, you know, the
03:22future of this country and that there is hope. I think that will be those will be some of the key
03:28messages. Well, it looks like the sun has come out there in London. It was raining quite a bit
03:35earlier. Tell us what sort of change is Labour looking to make in the UK?
03:42It's looking to make a noticeable change. As I said, this trust issue actually permeates
03:48the respect that one has for government. And this is why throughout the campaign,
03:54Keith Starmer has been very cautious. And indeed, the team has been extremely disciplined
04:01at sticking to the message. One of the images that was given because the polls were predicting
04:07this landslide, they were very much showing that in fact, in 18, in the last 18 months,
04:13and particularly in the six week campaign, that big gap in the polls, predicting that Labour's
04:19very comfortable victory and a defeat, a trouncing really of the upcoming Conservatives
04:27was very plain to see. So I think he will very much want to show that this is a government that
04:33is very responsible with its budget that doesn't promise things that it can't deliver. I think that
04:39whole issue of trust, also the fact that he really comes as an ex-director of public prosecutions
04:46and human rights lawyer in a humble manner to try really and help all of the people,
04:51not just the people who voted for the Labour Party, very conscious of those values and wants
04:59to very much reintroduce those. And it's about pulling together as a country at a time when,
05:05of course, there are not just domestic challenges, whether it is, for example, the energy price
05:12crisis, but also the cost of living. That has been a very big, repeated key issue in this
05:19election campaign. And of course, the big word again and again coming out of focus groups was
05:25change. And so that he represents change, change in the way that they conduct themselves in
05:32government. And that being ethical is extremely. Oh, the gates of Downing Street have just opened.
05:39There are cheers very much from the people waving their flags. And we see blue lights of the
05:45outriders of the police fresh from Buckingham Palace. Here he comes. The first outriders come
05:51in with a ministerial car. Louder cheers now. Of course, the media is very attentive and we will
05:59see that podium is out. So the cars will stop. We expect we expect to be accompanied by his wife.
06:08We understand that his children may not be with him in front of the media because they wish to
06:14remain discreet and not impose that publicity on them. Very big shout that you can no doubt hear
06:26and see. Shama will step out of the car. He is 61 years old and this has been 62 in September.
06:36And it's been a very, very long journey, a short journey from the palace, but a very long journey
06:42to power, 14 years during which conservatives have ruled. An assistant is now coming to the
06:49podium, to the lectern, and just put the Keir Starmer speech. We now are waiting
06:57for Keir Starmer to appear from the car and his wife, Lady Victoria.
07:06There they are.
07:12And so we are going to have in just a few moments the very first speech
07:19of Keir Starmer, the new UK prime minister. Here he is walking up the street with his wife in a
07:31bright red dress. Of course, red is the Labour colour. He's stopping. They're embracing people
07:42and stopping. Big hug, waving a flag, more cheers. And in a few moments we will hear
07:51a very important message, the first address to the nation that this new 61-year-old prime minister
07:59who's just been to see the head of state at Buckingham Palace and been asked to form a
08:03government will make. He's enjoying and taking his time along with his wife,
08:0851-year-old Lady Victoria, who also, like him, has been a lawyer. Now her son works in the NHS,
08:18and he says that that's very important because it allows him to actually really know and understand
08:25the pressures, the immense pressures, on the National Health Service. The National Health
08:29Service, of course, created by, many years ago, by a Labour government and which is under a very
08:35severe pressure, not least because of the Covid pandemic, but also because of it's been
08:41nurses' strikes we've had. Still, those are resolved now, but a big hemorrhaging of nurses
08:48going abroad, for example, to Australia after being trained. He's not quite at the podium. He
08:54will be there in just a few moments. He's enjoying this moment. Of course, he hasn't slept. He has
08:59been watching the results. He's in his own constituency, confirmed that he had won his seat
09:06here in London. Possibly some of the last hugs before he actually then, we think, goes to the
09:15podium, opens the black folder. Here we go. And we're listening to Sekei Sama as the tears flow
09:23louder, no longer leading the opposition with a new British Labour Prime Minister, a new era.
09:37Here we go.
09:41Thank you.
09:42Thank you. Good afternoon. I have just returned from Buckingham Palace, where I accepted an
09:52invitation from His Majesty the King to form the next government of this great nation.
10:00I want to thank the outgoing Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, his achievement as the first British
10:14Asian Prime Minister of our country. The extra effort that that will have required should not
10:22be underestimated by anyone. We pay tribute to that today. And we also recognise the dedication
10:32and hard work he brought to his leadership. But now our country has voted decisively for change,
10:43for national renewal, and a return of politics to public service.
10:52When the gap between the sacrifices made by people and the service they receive from politicians
10:59grows this big, it leads to a weariness in the heart of a nation, a draining away
11:08of the hope, the spirit, the belief in a better future, that we need to move forward together.
11:20Now, this wound, this lack of trust can only be healed by actions, not words.
11:31I know that. But we can make a start today with the simple acknowledgement that public service
11:40is a privilege, and that your government should treat every single person in this country
11:48with respect. If you voted Labour yesterday, we will carry the responsibility of your trust
11:57as we rebuild our country. But whether you voted Labour or not,
12:04in fact, especially if you did not, I say to you directly, my government will serve you.
12:15Politics can be a force for good. We will show that. We've changed the Labour Party,
12:23returned it to service, and that is how we will govern. Country first, party second.
12:32Yet, if I'm honest, service is merely a precondition of hope. And it is surely clear to
12:40everyone that our country needs a bigger reset, a rediscovery of who we are. Because no matter
12:49how fierce the storms of history, one of the great strengths of this nation has always been
12:56our ability to navigate a way to calmer waters. And yet this depends upon politicians,
13:05particularly those who stand for stability and moderation, as I do. Recognising when we must
13:14change course. For too long now, we've turned a blind eye as millions slid into greater insecurity.
13:22Nurses, builders, drivers, carers, people doing the right thing, working harder every day.
13:30Recognised at moments like this before, yet as soon as the cameras stop rolling,
13:38their lives are ignored. I want to say very clearly to those people, not this time.
13:49Changing a country is not like flicking a switch. The world is now a more volatile place.
13:55This will take a while. But have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately.
14:04Have no doubt that we will rebuild Britain with wealth created in every community.
14:11Our NHS back on its feet, facing the future. Secure borders, safer streets, everyone treated
14:18with dignity and respect at work. The opportunity of clean British power cutting your energy bills
14:26for good. And brick by brick, we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity. The world-class
14:36schools and colleges, the affordable homes that I know are the ingredients of hope for working people.
14:44The security that working-class families like mine can build their lives around.
14:51Because if I asked you now whether you believe that Britain will be better for your children,
15:02I know too many of you would say no. And so my government will fight every day until you believe
15:12until you believe again. From now on you have a government unburdened by doctrine,
15:19guided only by the determination to serve your interest, to defy quietly those who have
15:26written our country off. You have given us a clear mandate and we will use it to deliver change,
15:35to restore service and respect to politics, end the era of noisy performance,
15:42tread more lightly on your lives and unite our country. Four nations standing together again,
15:52facing down, as we have so often in our past, the challenges of an insecure world,
16:00committed to a calm and patient rebuilding. So with respect and humility, I invite you all
16:12to join this government of service in the mission of national renewal.
16:18Our work is urgent and we begin it today. Thank you very much.
16:48Thank you.
17:03Keir Starmer there just being greeted by crowds after making his first address to the nation as
17:08Prime Minister. He repeated his message that people have voted for change,
17:16that he will work for change immediately. He also said that he will run a government that
17:22will serve. And he also hopes that he will reset the nation. He's been talking of change throughout
17:30this campaign. So clearly there he will be continuing that as he seeks to create his
17:35government, as he seeks to pick his ministers in cabinet. He also spoke of rebuilding the NHS,
17:42which has of course been a key issue in this campaign. Let's speak now to Benedict Pavia,
17:47who was listening for us. Benedict, he there again repeated his message. He wants change.
17:58Yes, let's look at that. Let's look at that picture of this Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister
18:04with his wife posing. 14 years of conservative rule ended last night, the verdict of the British
18:12people. A momentous day for this 61-year-old human, former human rights lawyer, former director of
18:22public prosecution. He is often accused of looking very serious. There he is much more relaxed. He's
18:28had no sleep, like us, but he's got a country to govern. And his wife, Lady Victoria, usually
18:36extremely discreet, not keen on publicity, but by his side, entering Downing Street for the first
18:46time. And we know that inside are two lines of people on either side, lots of photos being taken
18:55for history and posterity. A momentous moment for the Labour Party today, for this man who has been
19:04in politics really not very long. And a man who... I heard an interesting story this morning where
19:12David Lammy, who we think will be his foreign secretary, said five years ago to Keir Starmer,
19:20there's no way that you can rebuild what has just been the worst defeat under Jeremy Corbyn
19:25in elections since the post-World War II and do that in five years. You'll need 10. And David
19:32Lammy admitted yesterday that he was wrong. And here we are. So yes, you were quite right in your
19:40summary. This is Keir Starmer talking about resetting the relationship between the British
19:47people and politicians, and this politician, and this prime minister, and this government.
19:53He talked about moving forward together and that that lack of trust really could only be done in
19:59one way, and that was by action. He talked, as I had said earlier on, he would do, that public
20:06service is a privilege. This mantra that he used during the election campaign, country first,
20:13party second. He said it was especially important to bring stability and also moderation. So those
20:21words, calmness, moderation, resetting, stability, he said that it was important to rebuild this
20:30country to give everyone hope that he had received a very clear mandate. He talked about
20:36really supporting the National Health Service, which is in crisis and has very long waiting
20:42lists, which are posing real everyday problems for people. He talked about cutting the cost of
20:48energy. There is an energy price crisis here, hurting very many people who even those who are
20:54employed, some cannot meet their bills. The saying it's about eating or heating. He talked about
21:04also working families and he said working families like mine to bring back that hope. But he knows
21:09he says that he's going to need to earn that. He said my government, he ended with, my government
21:14will fight until you believe again. You have given us a clear mandate to unite our country
21:21and that work starts today. A momentous day for the Labour Party and for Keir Starmer, the new UK
21:28Prime Minister. He spoke of a draining away of hope in the UK. How is he going to bring back
21:37this hope? How is he going to bring back people's confidence in the government?
21:45Well, as I was also saying earlier, I'm not surprised that he used these words about being
21:50calm and patient. In other words, the timeline, it won't be quick. Also, it won't be easy. He
21:57is giving the message that it won't be an overnight process, but he's asking the people to trust him
22:03and he's saying that he will do this with humility. So I think it's going to begin very
22:10quickly. I think we're going to get very many government appointments this afternoon. He will
22:16need to fly off in the next few days to Washington to a NATO summit. So it will be a baptism of fire
22:23very much for him. But I think we're going to see some of the pledges about the National Health
22:28Service, about bringing down the energy price, as I was mentioning, down, ministers coming out
22:35with concrete measures. And I think normally in the summer, there's what is called a recess,
22:41so holidays for MPs. We will see and find out more detail on the 17th of July with what is called
22:49at the head of state, the King's speech, since we have a king now, no longer the Queen's speech,
22:54the King's speech. And that is read by the head of state, read by King Charles in Parliament,
22:59but it is actually written by the government. And that is when we will have more flesh on the bone,
23:05if you will, more detail. This was about giving really a message of hope that he takes everybody,
23:13he wants to be the prime minister, bringing hope back into people's lives. But he knows he's going
23:18to earn that trust. So let's see what details come out in the coming days of concrete decisions,
23:23what legislation we will find out, particularly on the 17th of July. New MPs are going to make
23:29their way to Parliament shortly, and Labour ones. And they will have a lot to learn because being an
23:37MP is a particular journey. And it comes with a lot of responsibility. And I think the expectation
23:43the country for change is huge. That is what the British people voted for. Our correspondent
23:49Benedict Bavio, who is at Downing Street. You've been at Downing Street throughout the morning for
23:54us. We are very, very grateful. Thank you so much for your insights and for your analysis.
23:58Benedict Bavio there, who was just speaking after Keir Starmer made his first address to the UK
24:04as Prime Minister.