Starmer speaks after becoming UK prime minister: 'Country first, party second'

KEIR STARMER on Friday (5) promised to "rebuild" the UK's "infrastructure of opportunity ... brick by brick" in his first speech as the prime minister of the country. His Labour swept the general elections on Thursday (4) to return to power after a gap of 14 years replacing the Conservatives led by his predecessor Rishi Sunak. He also said that the country comes first and the party second.

Starmer, who spoke of the need for schools and affordable homes -- things that "working class families" like him can build their lives around -- praised Sunak in his address saying the latter's achievement as the first British Asian prime minister of the UK should not be "underestimated".

He also recognised the hard work that the Conservative leader brought to his leadership.

Read: Keir Starmer: The human rights lawyer who engineered a new Labour

Son of a toolmaker father and nurse mother, Starmer acknowledged in his speech that "changing a country is not like flicking a switch" and said the world "is more volatile".

"It will take a while," he added but said that work to change will start immediately.

The 61-year-old leader also spoke about creation of wealth, getting a battered National Health Service back on its feet and securing the country's border.

Read: I have heard your anger, says Sunak before exiting office, 10 Downing

The prime minister said many people today would disagree if they are asked whether Britain will be better for their children and assured that his government will strive hard to persuade them till they get back the lost belief. According to Starmer, his government will be unburdened by doctrine.

Concluding his speech as the premier, Starmer says the four nations of the UK are "standing together again facing down as we have in the past the challenges of an insecure world".

He said his government is committed to a rebuilding that is calm and patient and invited people to join the new "government of service in the mission of national renewal".

"Our work is urgent and we begin it today."

The Labour premier also said that his government will serve all people, irrespective of which party they voted for in this election.

"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."

Starmer, who was accompanied by his wife Victoria, made his first appearance on Downing Street after being officially asked by the king to form a new government.