Keir Starmer gave his first speech as Prime Minister on the steps of Downing Street
DATE: 5 July 2024
Good afternoonโฆ
I have just returned from Buckingham Palaceโฆ
Where I accepted an invitation from His Majesty the Kingโฆ
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 countryโฆ
The extra effort that will have requiredโฆ
Should not be underestimated by anyone.
We pay tribute to that todayโฆ
And we also recognise the dedication and hard work he brought to his leadership.
But now our country has voted, decisivelyโฆ
For change.
For national renewal.
And a return of politics to public service.
When the gap between the sacrifices made by peopleโฆ
And the service they receive from politiciansโฆ
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 futureโฆ
That we need to move forward, together.
Now, this woundโฆ
This lack of trustโฆ
Can only be healed by actions not wordsโฆ
I know that.
But we can make a start todayโฆ
With the simple acknowledgmentโฆ
That public service is a privilege.
And that your government should treat every single person in this countryโฆ
With respect.
If you voted for Labour yesterdayโฆ
We will carry the responsibility of your trust, as we rebuild our country.
But whether you voted Labour or notโฆ
In fact – especially if you did notโฆ
I say to you, directlyโฆ
My government will serve you.
Politics can be a force for good – we will show that.
And that is how we will govern.
Country first, party second.
Yet, if Iโm honestโฆ
Service is merely a pre-condition for hope.
And it is surely clear to everyoneโฆ
That our country needs a bigger resetโฆ
A rediscovery of who we are.
Because no matter how fierce the storms of historyโฆ
One of the great strengths of this nationโฆ
Has always been our ability to navigate a way through to calmer waters.
And yet this depends upon politiciansโฆ
Particularly those who stand for stability and moderation – as I doโฆ
Recognising when we must change course.
For too long nowโฆ
We have turned a blind eye as millions slid into greater insecurity.
Nurses, builders, drivers, carersโฆ
People doing the right thing
Working harder than everโฆ
Recognised – at moments like this, before.
Yet as soon as the cameras stop rollingโฆ
Their lives are ignored.
I want to say very clearly to those people – not this time.
Changing a country is not like flicking a switchโฆ
And 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 Britainโฆ
With wealth created in every community.
Our NHS back on its feet, facing the future.
Secure bordersโฆ
Safer streetsโฆ
Everyone treated with dignity and respect at work.
The opportunity of clean British powerโฆ
Cutting your energy bills for good.
And, brick by brickโฆ
We will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunityโฆ
The world class schools and collegesโฆ
The affordable homes that I knowโฆ
Are the ingredients of hope for working peopleโฆ
The security that working class families like mineโฆ
Could build their lives around.
Because if I asked you, nowโฆ
Whether you believe that Britain will be better for your childrenโฆ
I know – too many of you would say: no.
And so my government will fight, every dayโฆ
Until you believe again.
From now onโฆ
You have a government unburdened by doctrineโฆ
Guided only by a determination to serve your interestsโฆ
To defy, quietlyโฆ
Those who have written our country off.
You have given us a clear mandateโฆ
And we will use it to deliver changeโฆ
To restore service and respect to politicsโฆ
End the era of noisy performanceโฆ
Tread more lightly on your livesโฆ
And unite our country.
Four nationsโฆ
Standing together againโฆ
Facing down, as we have so often in our pastโฆ
The challenges of an insecure worldโฆ
Committed – to a calm and patient rebuilding.
So with respect and humilityโฆ
I invite you allโฆ
To join this government of serviceโฆ
In the mission of national renewal.
Our work is urgentโฆ
And we begin it today.
Published 5 July 2024
