Keir Starmer is now officially British Prime Minister following an audience with King Charles.
Last night, the Labour Party won a majority of 170 in an historic landslide that drew the curtain on 14 years of Tory rule.
An appointment was then fixed for Mr Starmer to visit Buckingham Palace for a ceremony known as the 'kissing of hands', in which the British monarch invited him to serve as Prime Minister.
? The King received in Audience The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP today and requested him to form a new Administration.
Sir Keir accepted His Majesty's offer and was appointed Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury. pic.twitter.com/g1TwdPObbD
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 5, 2024
In a scene reminiscent of Tony Blair’s landslide in 1997, Mr Starmer pulled into Downing Street and was greeted by a crowd of Labour enthusiasts cheering and waving Union Jacks, Scottish saltires and Welsh flags.
Outside the famous black door, the new Prime Minister spoke of a "weariness in the heart of a nation" and promised a return to the "politics of public service".
"Whether you voted Labour or not - in fact especially if you did not - I say to you directly, my Government will serve you," he said.
"Politics can be a force for good. We will show that.
"We have changed the Labour Party, returned it to service - that is how we will govern.
"Country first, party second."
Live from Downing Street: Watch my first speech as Prime Minister https://t.co/t2fQjytLBH
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 5, 2024
Across the Irish Sea, Simon Harris stepped outside Government Buildings to welcome the change in Government as a chance to “reset” Anglo-Irish relations after 14 years of Tory rule.
“As Taoiseach, I look forward to working together as close neighbours and as friends,” he said.
“The relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom is deeply consequential for all people across these islands and the relationship between an Irish Taoiseach and a British Prime Minister is vital.
“Today is about looking forward; it’s about realising the full potential of that relationship.”
'A difficult day'
Earlier today, a chastened Rishi Sunak appeared outside No 10 Downing Street and said he was “sorry” the British people felt so disappointed in the leadership he had provided.
“I have heard your anger, your disappointment,” he said.
“And I take responsibility for this loss.”
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.https://t.co/EhNsfIaGWM
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) July 5, 2024
Mr Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, then departed Downing Street for the last time and drove the short distance to Buckingham Palace where he tendered his resignation to King Charles.
The Conservative party lost 250 seats and haemorrhaged support across the country to the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats and Nigela Farage’s Reform UK.
Main image: Keir Starmer. Credit: Mark Thomas/Alamy Live News
