'We have a clear mandate to govern for all four nations'

Sir Keir Starmer will travel to Scotland on Sunday to discuss ways of improving the working relationship with the Scottish government.

The new prime minister said Scotland would be the first stop in a tour of the UK nations, and he would meet First Minister John Swinney.

“For the first time in 20 plus years, we have a majority in England, in Scotland and in Wales and that is a clear mandate to govern for all four corners of the United Kingdom," he said.

The Labour leader said he would discuss the challenges of the day, but also try "to establish a way of working across the United Kingdom that will be different and better from the way of working that we've had in recent years".

Sir Keir was speaking at a news conference at Downing Street after the first meeting of his new cabinet.

6 July 2024