General Election LIVE: Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria settle into No10 after historic win
NEWLY elected Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria waved as they arrived at No10 Downing Street today.
The Labour leader was cheered on by staff inside his new official London residence after making his first address to the nation.
His arrival into Downing Street was hailed earlier today after King Charles formally installed him as Britain's 58th Prime Minister.
Sir Keir and Victoria were given a glorious welcome after returning from the Palace, where they had met with His Majesty, the Queen's principal private secretary Sir Clive Alderton, and Charles's equerry Royal Navy Commander William Thornton.
He vowed to "fight every day" and "rebuild Britain" as he delivered his first speech in front of No. 10.
It comes as Sir Keir is formally naming his Cabinet as the top team meet in No10 for the first time.
Firebrand Angela Rayner has been appointed Deputy PM and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
And Rachel Reeves makes history today as Britain's first female Chancellor.
The coveted role of Foreign Secretary will be held by David Lammy, while Yvette Cooper as Home Secretary faces the tough task of stopping small boats.
Meanwhile, the nation's security will heavily depend on John Healey as Defence Secretary.
Other cabinet roles include:
- Shabana Mahmood as Justice Secretary
- Wes Streeting as Health Secretary
- Bridget Phillipson as Education Secretary
- Ed Miliband as Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary
- Pat McFadden as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
- Liz Kendall as Secretary Work and Pensions Secretary
- Jonathan Reynolds as Business and Trade Secretary
- Peter Kyle as Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary
- Louise Haigh MP as Transport Secretary
Earlier Sir Keir promised to "fight every day" and "rebuild Britain" as he delivered his first speech in front of No. 10.
In sun-soaked Downing Street, the Labour chief vowed that "my government will serve you".
After a historic election night:
- Keir Starmer has become Britain's next Prime Minister after Labour got 412 seats amid a brutal Tory wipeout.
- He promised to lead a Labour party grounded in “public service” in his first speech as PM in front of a jubilant crowd at No 10.
- Sir Keir will now appoint his cabinet as he cracks on with his plan for change.
- Rishi Sunak admitted defeat earlier on the steps of Downing Street and apologised to the nation for his party’s failures.
- Tory big beasts including former PM Liz Truss and ex-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps have lost seats after a nightmare night for Conservatives.
- He was followed by Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt, one of eight Cabinet ministers have lost their seats
- Nigel Farage’s Reform party claimed an unprecedented four seats as they grabbed votes from the Tories.
- Tory defector Lee Anderson claimed the first Reform seat, followed by Farage, Richard Tice, and Rupert Lowe.
- Sir Keir's predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, now standing as an independent, also held onto Islington North
- All eyes are now on our new PM with Piers Morgan telling our Never Mind The Ballots election show that Sir Keir MUST deliver real change after the Tory disaster
Making an appeal to those who did not vote for his party yesterday, he said: “Whether you voted Labour or not, in fact, especially if you did not, I say to you directly: my government will serve you.”
Sir Keir acknowledged changing a country is not "like flicking a switch" and that will "take a while".
But he went on to say: "I have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately. I have no doubt that we will rebuild Britain with wealth created in every community."
The new Prime Minister also invited the country to join him in his mission.
And he pledged to bring an end to "the era of noisy performance".
To rapturous applause, Sir Keir said: "We will show that we've changed the Labour Party, returned it to service, and that is how we will govern.
"With respect and humility, I invite you all to join this government of service in the mission of national renewal.
"Country first, party second. Our work is urgent and we begin it today."
Britain's new PM added: "For too long now, we've turned a blind eye.
"As millions slid into greater insecurity, nurses, builders, drivers, carers, people doing the right thing, working harder every day, recognized at moments like this before.
"Yet, as soon as the cameras stopped rolling, their lives are ignored.
"I want to say very clearly to those people: Not this time."
Sir Keir said his work is "urgent" and vowed "to begin it today".
The incoming PM must mull over which Labour MPs to include in his Cabinet.
It came as Rishi Sunak made an emotional statement from Downing Street, where he thanked his "beautiful daughters" for the sacrifices they made while he governed the country.
Tune into our election results special on The Sun's YouTube Channel
The ex-PM will stay on as leader of the opposition until "the formal arrangements for selecting my successor are in place".
With a glimmer in his eye, Mr Sunak said: "I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry.
"I have given this job my all.
"But you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change.
"And yours is the only judgement that matters."
"I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss."
The ex-PM hailed "just how unremarkable it is that two generations after my grandparents came here with little I could become prime minister".
He described the beauty in being able to watch his young daughters "light Divali candles on the steps in Downing Street."
Turning to his successor, Mr Sunak said: "Whilst he has been my political opponent, Sir Keir Starmer will shortly become our prime minister.
"In this job, his successes will be all our successes, and I wish him and his family well.
"Whatever our disagreements in this campaign, he is a decent, public spirited man who I respect."
Mr Sunak then travelled to Buckingham Palace, where the King formally accepted his resignation.
Follow our live blog below for the latest news and updates...
Labour accused of ‘not putting up a fight’ against Nigel Farage
A Labour activist has accused the party of failing to compete with Nigel Farage in Clacton.
The Essex town could mark Reform UK’s first election win, with Nigel Farage on course to be named MP.
But Labour activist Tracey Lewis believes Keir Starmer has failed to put up a fight in the region after sending the party’s candidate, Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, to campaign in the Midlands.
Tracey Lewis told the Guardian: “I’m a lifelong Labour supporter and will continue to be even though I’ve quit my place on the CLP, but if they can’t put a fight up against Nigel Farage, then who are they fighting for?”
GMB Ofcom complaints over Nigel Farage clash
Reform UK leader Nigel, 60, butted heads with hosts Susanna Reid, 53, and Ed Balls, 57, when he appeared on the ITV breakfast show live from the campaign trail.
Speaking via video link, the politican was grilled by the anchors over his party’s manifesto and candidates’ social media activity.
But 471 viewers were left outraged by the way he was treated in the interview and filed complaints with the broadcasting regulator.
Things began to get heated when Susanna asked: “How can you defend 41 candidates for your party found to be social media friends with a fascist leader?”
Mr Farage replied: “Most of our candidates are not political sophisticates. Having said that, like the Green Party and, like other parties, we’ve had one or two slip through the net that shouldn’t have done.
“There will be a story coming out at lunchtime today, where you will hear that we paid a very large sum of money to a reputable vetting company who didn’t do the work.
“So yes, we’ve got one or two problems but people like each other on Facebook and I’m sorry, I just don’t take that seriously.”
The Economist backs Labour for the first time in two decades
Financial magazine The Economist has thrown its support behind Keir Starmer's Labour Party ahead of next week's election.
This marks the first time the publication has backed the party since 2005.
Its piece read: "You would never know it from a low-wattage campaign but after 14 years of Conservative rule, Britain is on the threshold of a Labour victory so sweeping that it may break records.
"No party fully subscribes to the ideas that The Economist holds dear. The economic consensus in Britain has shifted away from liberal values – free trade, individual choice and limits to state intervention.
"But elections are about the best available choice and that is clear. If we had a vote on July 4th, we, too, would pick Labour, because it has the greatest chance of tackling the biggest problem that Britain faces: a chronic and debilitating lack of economic growth."
Seven officers under investigation by Gambling Commission
Seven officers have been identified in connection to bets made on the date of the general election, the Metropolitan police said today.
Andrew Rhodes, chief executive of the Gambling Commission, said: "We are focused on an investigation into confidential information being used to gain an unfair advantage when betting on the date of the general election.
"Our enforcement team has made rapid progress so far and will continue to work closely with the Metropolitan police to draw this case to a just conclusion.
"We understand the desire for information, however, to protect the integrity of the investigation and to ensure a fair and just outcome, we are unable to comment further at this time, including the name of any person who may be under suspicion."James Cleverly blasts 'fragile' Starmer
James Cleverly blasted Keir Starmer for a “very, very fragile” performance in last night's debate.
The Home Secretary said: “What we saw from Keir Starmer, someone who’s very, very fragile when actually pushed to answer the questions,
“He talked over Mishal, he talked over Rishi, he talked over the audience, which is why Rishi really had to assert himself.
“But what we saw over and over again was Starmer failing to answer the questions, failing to answer what it means to be a woman, failing to answer what he would do with asylum seekers.”
Labour's Bridget Phillipson 'doesn't like' David Tennent's language in Kemi Badenoch row
Labour’s shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson has hit out at David Tennent after he told Kemi Badenoch to "shut up."
She told Times Radio: "I personally don’t like that kind of language that was used.
"And I believe that where we discus these issues – and it is right that we can have an open discussion about them – that we do so in a way that is absolutely frank but respectful, tolerant, and in keeping with the best traditions within our country.
"And I know that politicians, particularly female politicians, receive an awful lot of abuse sometimes and do frequently face that kind of language being used against them and I don’t think it advances a more tolerant and respectful discussion.”Labour accused of 'not putting up a fight' against Nigel Farage
A Labour activist has accused the party of failing to compete with Nigel Farage in Clacton.
The Essex town could mark Reform UK's first election win, with Nigel Farage on course to be named MP.
But Labour activist Tracey Lewis believes Keir Starmer has failed to put up a fight in the region after sending the party's candidate, Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, to campaign in the Midlands.
Tracey Lewis told the Guardian: “I’m a lifelong Labour supporter and will continue to be even though I’ve quit my place on the CLP, but if they can’t put a fight up against Nigel Farage, then who are they fighting for?”
Six days to go...
We are now just six days away from a generation-defining General Election.
In a few short days, millions of Brits will head to the polls to cast their votes.
As things stand, the Labour Party is expected to win a massive majority with the Conservatives still floundering in the polls.
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage continues to build momentum for his Reform Party.
Stick with us here for news and updates in the run-up to next week's election.
Keir Starmer blasts Tories for crumbling public services
Keir Starmer slammed the Tories over the state of Britain's public services last night.
He said: "I think anybody looking at a council which has run out of money is concerned about basic services.
"Whether it's libraries or other support from the council, this is a position for councils of all political stripes on services from councils."
He added: "It is because of the lack of adequate funding from the government."
Downing Street hopefuls clash on Liz Truss
Last night's debate saw Sir Keir Starmer take aim at Liz Truss - jibing that Rishi told the Tory party to rally around her after he lost.
Rishi retorted: "I warned repeatedly about Liz Truss and what her economic policies would do to our country even if it wasn't what people wanted to hear at the time.
"I was right then. That's why you can trust me now."
But Keir clapped back: "He's now openly admitting the damage that the Tories have done to the economy.
"And saying, please vote for him. A Tory Prime Minister did huge economic damage. Please vote Tory."
Laughing, Sir Keir added: "You're going to have to decide if that's a vote winner."
Highlights from last night's clash
- Rishi blasts ‘what will you do with them’ as Keir stumbles over migrant plan
- PM and Keir clash over women's rights
- Keir and Rishi in furious clash over election betting scandal
- Rishi slams Labour's tax plan - saying Keir's not being straight with you
Who is Keir Starmer’s wife Victoria?
Victoria Starmer, also known as Lady Victoria Starmer, is a former solicitor turned NHS occupational health worker and the wife of Labour leader Keir Starmer.
The pair both reportedly met in the early 2000s, before they later tied the knot in 2007.
She made her first appearance as the then-new Labour leader’s wife when the pair were filmed clapping for the NHS in 2020, outside their Camden home in North London.
Together the couple have two children, who they keep out of the public eye.
Keir Starmer wades into Tennent and Badenoch row
Keir Starmer has called for “respect” following David Tennent’s comments about Kemi Badenoch.
The Doctor Who actor said Badenoch should “shut up” due to her stance on Trans rights.
Speaking at a campaign event in Coalville, Leicestershire, he said: “I think it’s right that we should conduct all debate respectfully and I think that’s very important in politics.
“It’s particularly important when we’re in the heat of a general election campaign. People are trying to make their minds up on what to do a week on Thursday.
“It’s important that we do have these robust discussions but it’s got to be done respectfully.”
Downing Street hopefuls clash on Liz Truss
Last night’s debate saw Sir Keir Starmer take aim at Liz Truss – jibing that Rishi told the Tory party to rally around her after he lost.
Rishi retorted: “I warned repeatedly about Liz Truss and what her economic policies would do to our country even if it wasn’t what people wanted to hear at the time.
“I was right then. That’s why you can trust me now.”
But Keir clapped back: “He’s now openly admitting the damage that the Tories have done to the economy.
“And saying, please vote for him. A Tory Prime Minister did huge economic damage. Please vote Tory.”
Laughing, Sir Keir added: “You’re going to have to decide if that’s a vote winner.”
Labour could slap VAT on school fees
In his election manifesto, Sir Keir Starmer said he was committed to removing the tax exemptions on private schools.
Fears are growing that it could lead to a bulge in class sizes in the state sector.
Asked on The Sun’s Never Mind The Ballots if the change could come into force in just a few months, the shadow cabinet member refused to rule it out.
She said: “Look, I'm not going to prejudge Rachel Reeves’ first budget if she is the Chancellor and we haven’t won the election year.
“But what I would say is that this has been our policy for a very long time now, since it was first announced in 2021.
“So private schools have had ample notice as to the change that a Labour government would bring."
Latest from last night's debate
- Rishi blasts ‘what will you do with them’ as Keir stumbles over migrant plan
- PM and Keir clash over women's rights
- Keir and Rishi in furious clash over election betting scandal
- Rishi slams Labour's tax plan - saying Keir's not being straight with you
Conservatives step up anti-Starmer message
Rishi punched Keir Starmer's bruise today with a brutal attack ad that risks sparking a major row.
The new poster campaign, launched just hours after the PM repeatedly reeled off his new line in last night’s BBC debate, tells voters: “Don’t surrender your family’s future to Labour”.
Rishi Sunak told the 2.7million viewers watching the final head-to-head clash to not “surrender” to Sir Keir more than a dozen times in the spiky 75-minute contest.
The poster, featuring a pensioner, a mother and a young child holding their hands up, is the Conservatives’ most direct attack on Labour so far in the election campaign.
Ed Davey not thinking about leading the opposition
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey is not thinking about becoming the leader of the opposition come next week’s General Election.
The Lib Dems are yet to surpass the Conservatives in the polls, but a further Tory collapse could place the party in an unexpected position.
Asked by LBC if becoming opposition enters his mind, Davey said: “It genuinely doesn’t, for this reason.
“When I became leader of the Liberal Democrats, we were not in a good place, I had to tell the party we’ve got to wake up and smell the coffee. And I set a target for ourselves of beating lots of Conservative MPs to remove this government – which I regard as the worst government probably in democratic history, it’s so bad.
“My job is to make sure we win those and I’m not going to think about what happens after the election.”
Starmer’s rare praise of Boris Johnson
In unlikely scenes, Sir Keir Starmer offered words of praise for Boris Johnson when speaking to Sun readers last night.
The Labour leader hailed Johnson’s handling of Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.
He said: “Let me do something I don’t do very often, and praise Boris Johnson.”
He went on: “I was leader of the opposition, and I said, we will support the government. And so there’s been unity in parliament from the outbreak of that conflict and Russia aggression there.
“And I thought that was important, Boris Johnson thought it was important, because I think we both took the view that the only winner, if there was a split in our politics here in the UK, would be Putin. He wanted to see division in other countries, and we didn’t allow him.”
'You’re not being straight with people'
Rishi Sunak claimed last night that he has a "track record of doing deals with the EU" as he questioned Keir's ability.
Rishi said: “I’ve negotiated with the EU for the Windsor framework, restored the government in Northern Ireland and made sure that we are part of the horizon scheme on positive terms to be welcomed by the entire research community.
“I’ve got a track record of doing those deals with the EU. You just say you’ll get a deal.
“What will it cost? You’re not being straight with people. I know what it will cost is more migration, he’s not being straight with you.
“You don’t you just magic some good thing for us and they won’t want something in return, right? It’s just taking people for fools.
“They’ve been crystal clear the price of any of those things is greater migration. As the prime minister, you would have to give something in return for those kind of deals.”
GMB Ofcom complaints over Nigel Farage clash
Reform UK leader Nigel, 60, butted heads with hosts Susanna Reid, 53, and Ed Balls, 57, when he appeared on the ITV breakfast show live from the campaign trail.
Speaking via video link, the politican was grilled by the anchors over his party’s manifesto and candidates’ social media activity.
But 471 viewers were left outraged by the way he was treated in the interview and filed complaints with the broadcasting regulator.
Things began to get heated when Susanna asked: “How can you defend 41 candidates for your party found to be social media friends with a fascist leader?”
Mr Farage replied: “Most of our candidates are not political sophisticates. Having said that, like the Green Party and, like other parties, we’ve had one or two slip through the net that shouldn’t have done.
“There will be a story coming out at lunchtime today, where you will hear that we paid a very large sum of money to a reputable vetting company who didn’t do the work.
“So yes, we’ve got one or two problems but people like each other on Facebook and I’m sorry, I just don’t take that seriously.”
Keir and Rishi lock horns
Rishi Sunak skewered Sir Keir Starmer on immigration, taxes and women's rights in an explosive final TV debate of the election campaign.
Sparks flew as the pair locked horns in Nottingham, with the PM begging the audience not to "surrender" the economy and Britain's borders to Labour.
Amid screeching from Palestine protesters outside, Mr Sunak hit out at Sir Keir for planning to make Britain the "soft touch of Europe" on migration.
He battered the Labour chief over his pledge to ditch the Rwanda deportation scheme in place of "smashing the gangs".
Referencing cult classic Jaws, Mr Sunak said: "If Labour win, the people smugglers are going to need a bigger boat.
"Don't surrender our borders to the Labour Party."
On taxes, the PM warned that Sir Keir will force people to personally pay more to fill treasury coffers.
And he blasted the Labour boss for not agreeing to change the Equality Act to protect spaces for biological women.
Starmer 'didn't mean to cause offence' with comments about Bangladeshi community
Calling for more Bangladeshi people to be deported wasn't meant to "cause concern or offence", Sir Keir Starmer claimed today.
At a campaign stop in Staffordshire he said: "I’ve got many Bangladeshi constituents in my own constituency I've been working with for many years.
“And I want to build on that in government and to recognise the success that is already there.
“The reference in the debate the other day, was an example of a country that is considered safe as far as asylum concerns and one of the countries that actually has a returns agreement with us.
“That is actually a good thing that we and Bangladesh should be proud of that we have this returns agreement.
“I certainly wasn’t intending to cause any concern or offence to any Bangladeshi community here."
Keir Starmer 'very pleased' with last night's debate
Keir Starmer told reporters that he was "very pleased" with last night's live clash with Rishi Sunak.
Speaking in Staffordshire, the Labour leader said: “I don’t think it was just last night I got criticism. I’ve been getting criticism every single day I’ve been leader of the Labour Party. It is part and parcel of the job that we do.
“There will always be criticism, there will always be challenge, there’ll be alternative views. And that is a good thing, because whether it was the debate last night or politics in general, it ought to be a sort of melting pot of challenge and ideas.”
Credit: PA Wire Tory donor and former Newcastle United owner declares for Reform
Former Newcastle United owner and Tory donor Sir John Hall has backed Reform UK.
Sir John is at Nigel Farage's rally in Wearside this afternoon.
Taking to X, Farage said: "It says a lot when a man like Sir John Hall, after decades of public support for the Conservative Party, is now supporting Reform UK.
"We are delighted to have him."