The United Kingdom has a new political leader. After his meeting with King Charles III, the Labour Party’s Keir Starmer has officially begun his term as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following the 61-year-old politician’s overwhelming victory.
It has been quite a hectic few hours for Starmer. Early this Friday, Rishi Sunak went to the official residence of the royalty in London to formally resign as Prime Minister before the new leader takes over the position granted after Thursday's elections. The Conservative Party suffered a defeat that caused them to lose a large number of seats in the lower house, and a 14-year mandate was also cut short.
King Charles III officially appoints Keir Starmer as the head of the government of the United Kingdom
Following Sunak's resignation, Starmer met with the monarch, King Charles III, in a formal event, which is automatic in the UK system. Buckingham Palace released images of the king shaking hands with the new head of state, in the traditional face-to-face meeting between the two highest-ranking figures in the nation.
After the formal act, Starmer drove to the Government headquarters, the famous 10 Downing Street, which will be his official residence and office from now on, and there he delivered his first speech to the nation as Prime Minister.
From the iconic gate, Starmer promised that his Government "will serve" the people, aiming to demonstrate that "politics can be a force for good", adding that they can "start today with the simple recognition that public service is a privilege and that our Government should treat every person in this country with respect".
"The work of change begins immediately, but have no doubt, we will rebuild the United Kingdom," concluded the new leader of the country.
On the other hand, in his last speech as prime minister, Sunak expressed his best wishes to Keir Starmer and his family in the process of "the great transition to their new lives behind this door."