Keir Starmer vows to rebuild Britain ‘brick by brick’ in first speech as PM

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to rebuild Britain in his first speech after Labour’s landslide election win.

Mr Starmer said his work is “urgent” after he was swept to power as Tory support collapsed. He stated: “The work of change begins immediately, but have no doubt, we will rebuild Britain.”

The new Prime Minister told voters he would “heal wounds caused by lack of trust”, and added the country needs a “big reset”. He vowed to rebuild the country “brick by brick”.

Standing outside No10 he said: “You have given us a clear mandate, and we will use it to deliver change, to restore service and respect to politics and the era of noisy performance.”

The Prime Minister, addressing the nation for the first time since the General Election, said: “If I asked you now whether you believe that Britain will be better for your children, I know too many of you would say no.

“So, my Government will fight every day until you believe again. From now on, you have a Government unburdened by doctrine, guided only by the determination to serve your interest, to defy quietly those who have written our country off.

“You have given us a clear mandate and we will use it to deliver change, to restore service and respect to politics.”

He said his Government would be “unburdened by doctrine”, stating: “Politics can be a force for good. We will show that.” He continued: “Yet if I’m honest, service is merely a precondition of hope. And it is surely clear to everyone that our country needs a bigger reset, a rediscovery of who we are.

“Because no matter how fierce the storms of history, one of the great strengths of this nation has always been our ability to navigate a way to calmer waters. And yet this depends upon politicians, particularly those who stand for stability and moderation as I do, recognising that we must change course.”

Shortly before Mr Starmer’s speech, the outgoing PM apologised for letting the public down. He announced he would stand down as Tory Party leader as soon as a successor is found.

Speaking outside No10, Mr Sunak said: “I am sorry, I have given this job my all but you’ve sent a clear signal that the Government of the United Kingdom must change.” He went on: “I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss.” He went on: “Following this result I will step down as party leader. Not immediately, but once the formal arrangements for selecting my successor are in place.”

Mr Sunak becomes one of the shortest-serving PMs in history, having been in No10 for one year and 254 days. He took the top job in October 2022 following Liz Truss’s disastrous 49-day spell in No10.