Live
General Election LIVE - Britain Decides: ‘Country first, party second,’ says Sir Keir Starmer in first speech as PM
3 July 2024, 06:54 | Updated: 5 July 2024, 13:05
Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to put public service before his party in his first official address as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
Welcome to LBC's General Election live blog.
Sir Keir officially became the Prime Minister after he met the King earlier this afternoon.
"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," Sir Keir said.
The Prime Minister promised to "rebuild Britain" with "wealth created in every community" and put an end to an era of "noisy performance politics".
He added: "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."Our work is urgent, and we begin it today."
The Labour leader then outlined a series of Labour's core pledges, which includes bringing the NHS "back on its feet", cutting energy bills and securing the country's borders.
"Brick by brick we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity," he says.
Mr Sunak, whose Conservative Party suffered an election drubbing, told the nation in his resignation speech earlier this morning: “I have heard your anger; your disappointment and I take full responsibility.”
In his speech, Mr Sunak paid tribute to the Labour leader, whose party won an election landslide, calling him a "fundamentally decent man".
Sir Keir and his family "deserve the very best of our understanding as they make the huge transition to their new lives", he added.
It was a night of huge losses for the Tories, who have slumped to 121 seats with two yet to declare.
- Join LBC for Britain Decides our election night coverage, live now on Global Player, the official LBC app.
Key Highlights
- Labour wins General Election in a landslide as Conservatives see worst defeat in history.
- Rishi Sunak conceded the election around 4:40am as cabinet casualties built up through the night.
- Sir Keir formally appointed Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace before making his first speech at Downing Street.
- Labour leader pledges to put 'country first, party second'.
- Outgoing Prime Minister apologises to nation in final speech outside Downing Street.
- Former Prime Minister Liz Truss loses to Labour in Norfolk South West.
- Eleven Conservative ministers lost their seats including Penny Mordaunt, Alex Chalk, Grant Shapps, and Gillian Keegan.
- Gains for Reform as Nigel Farage wins in Clacton and Reform UK's Richard Tice, Lee Anderson, and Rupert Lowe also pick up seats.
Sir Keir Starmer's first speech as PM
Ed Miliband arrives at No 10
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband has arrived at Downing Street for the appointment of Sir Keir Starmer's cabinet.
Lisa Nandy, who secured victory in Wigan, has also arrived shortly followed by Louise Haigh, Ian Murray and Lucy Powell.
Rachel Reeves becomes Chancellor
Rachel Reeves has been appointed as Chancellor of the the new Labour government and becomes the first woman to take the role in British history.
Ms Reeves was re-elected in Leeds West and Pudsey.
David Cameron gives best wishes to Sir Keir Starmer
Former prime minister David Cameron has wished both Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer well following Labour's landslide victory.
Angela Rayner appointed deputy PM
Angela Raynerhas been appointed the UK's deputy prime minister by Sir Keir Starmer, Downing Street has announced.
She is also confirmed to be the secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities.
Ms Rayner was re-elected as MP for Ashton-under-Lyne with a majority of over 6,000.
Chaos at Farage's acceptance speech
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was called a "racist" after his victory in Clacton.
More Labour arrivals at Downing Street
John Healey is the latest Labour MP to arrive. He had a majority of 6,908 in the new constituency Rawmarsh and Consibrough.
The soon-to-be health secretary Wes Streeting arrives soon after, before shadow foreign secretary David Lammy makes his way onto Downing Street.
Shabana Mahmood, who is expected to be appointed the next justice secretary, has also arrived.
Bridget Phillipson, expected to be the education secretary, is the next to enter No 10, shortly followed by Yvette Cooper.
Rachel Reeves arrives at Downing Street
Rachel Reeves, who is expected to be the first female Chancellor in British history, has also arrived at Downing Street ahead of the cabinet announcement.
Protestors interrupt Farage speech
A protester has been marched out of Nigel Farage's acceptance speech after accusing him of being a "racist".
The Reform UK leader responded to the heckler: "Are you down wind of a couple already?"
He added: "He's absolutely steaming isn't he? That's alright there's still plenty of beer left in the pub mate."
A second protestor stands up to whom Farage responds: "Boring, boring, boring, boring, boring, boring, boring, boring, boring!
"Well this is good preparation for the House of Commons I suppose."
Another protestor interrupts shouting "you're a racist" and "you don't represent the working class".
There have now been seven.
Pat McFadden arrives at Downing Street
Pat McFadden is unexpectedly the latest Labour MP to arrive at Downing Street.
He smiled to cameras as he approached number 10.
Angela Rayner arrives at Downing Street
Angela Rayner, who is expected to become Deputy Prime Minister, has just arrived at Number 10.
Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce his cabinet as one of his first jobs as Prime Minister.
He has two gaps to fill after a couple of his shadow cabinet were defeated, including Jonathan Ashworth.
Ms Rayner was the first Labour MP to arrive at Downing Street.
