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 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...
In pictures: The new Cabinet
Labour's new Cabinet gathered today.
Here's some snaps from this morning.
Sir Keir shares snap of new Cabinet
Sir Keir Starmer's new Cabinet has today met for the first time, after their landslide win against the Tories.
He proudly posted a photo to X.
'Time was up for them'
Education spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, Munira Wilson, acknowledged the party benefited from voters wanting to turf out a Conservative government.
The Twickenham MP told Sky News: "We were very clear that after the previous Conservative government, which was frankly full of chaos and incompetence and had broken the trust of the British people and broken our economy, time was up for them and in many of those seats where we won we made it very clear to voters that if they wanted to turf out the Tories they had to vote Liberal Democrat and they did.
"So obviously in every election it’s a combination of the two, but I am also confident that our messages around cost-of-living, sewage, health and care did really resonate with voters."
Busy weekend for new PM
Sir Keir Starmer has a packed schedule for his first days in power
The new Cabinet, which was appointed on Friday, will meet for the first time this morning.
Appointments of junior ministers are likely to continue, as will calls from world leaders and first ministers of the devolved nations.
Legislative priorities and the timing of any major policy announcements will also need to be worked out.
And decisions such as allocating office space in No 10 – ill-suited to be a modern workplace with its maze-like layout –have got to be decided on the first weekend.
Keir putting in the calls
The Prime Minister has already spoken to US President Joe Biden and discussed their commitment to the special relationship between the UK and US, protecting the gains of the Good Friday Agreement and support for Ukraine.
Sir Keir also spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and reassured him of the “unwavering commitment” and said the UK would continue supplying defensive support.
He had calls with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
He also talked to Irish premier Simon Harris, who accepted an invitation to visit Downing Street on July 17 and Scottish First Minister John Swinney.
Moving day
A removal van was this morning spotted outside No 10.
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak yesterday bid farewell to the nation - dubbing the UK the "best country in the world".
And now a yellow removal ban that reads 'Bishop's Move' has been seen parked outside No 10.
Flat boxes could be seen in the back of the empty van, while men could be seen carrying furniture and getting to work.
Starmer to hold first Cabinet meeting
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is to hold the first meeting of his new Cabinet as he looks to start working on Labour’s manifesto pledges and preparing for a Nato summit next week.
Sir Keir made a raft of appointments on his first day at Number 10 and spoke with international leaders, including US President Joe Biden.
The Prime Minister confirmed Rachel Reeves as Britain’s first woman chancellor, Yvette Cooper as Home Secretary and David Lammy as Foreign Secretary.
Angela Rayner officially became his Deputy Prime Minister and retained the levelling up, housing and communities brief.
Final seat set for further recount
A recount in the last remaining undeclared seat in the 2024 General Election will begin at 10.30 this morning, amid reports the SNP candidate has already conceded defeat.
Despite an initial count on Thursday night and a recount on Friday, the result of the contest in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire remains undecided.
A further recount is due to commence at 10.30am, with the SNP’s Drew Hendry locked in a close battle with Liberal Democrat candidate Angus MacDonald.
The BBC reported on Friday evening that Mr Hendry had conceded defeat ahead of the count, and that the seat is expected to become the Liberal Democrats’ sixth in Scotland.
The new prime minister and his wife have children
The couple have two children together: a son named Toby and a daughter whose name has not been publicly disclosed.
They are reportedly raising their children in their mother's Jewish faith.
They live together in Camden, within Sir Keir's constituency of Holborn and St Pancras.
Meet Sir Keir's wife Victoria
Victoria Starmer, also known as Lady Victoria Starmer, transitioned from a solicitor to working in NHS occupational health.
She is married to British politician Sir Keir Starmer.
Despite her husband's high-profile political career, she intends to maintain her role within the NHS, a commitment Sir Keir has affirmed, saying, "She wants to and she loves it."
The couple reportedly met in the early 2000s and married in 2007. Victoria made her first public appearance as the wife of the then-new Labour leader when they were filmed clapping for the NHS in 2020 outside their home in Camden, North London.
A look at Sir Keir's political views
Here's a breakdown of some of Sir Keir's political views:
- Staunchly pro-remain, and has previously said he would welcome a second Brexit referendum
- Strongly criticised anti-Semitism in the Labour party
- Expressed that he is a socialist
- Consistently voted for gay rights, including same sex marriage
- Expressed unwavering support for laws to promote human rights and equality
About Sir Keir Starmer
Keir Starmer is a barrister and politician from London. Before entering politics, he practised as a human rights lawyer and co-founded Doughty Street Chambers in 1990.
The barrister has been involved in efforts to abolish the death penalty in the Caribbean, Africa, and most recently in Taiwan.
He also served as a human rights adviser to the Policing Board in Northern Ireland, overseeing the Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) compliance with the Human Rights Act.
In 2008, he was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service for England and Wales.
In 2014, he received a knighthood for his "services to law and criminal justice," although he prefers not to be addressed as "sir."
He has now been elected as Prime Minister.
New prime minister speaks out
Sir Keir Starmer was announced as Britain's next Prime Minister on Friday.
In a jubilant speech that drew rapturous applause from supporters, Sir Keir proclaimed that the UK was waking up to "the sunlight of hope."
The buoyant Labour leader declared "We did it" and passionately urged, "change begins now," delivering his victory speech in London.
Sunak admits defeat after 'sobering verdict'
Despite holding onto his seat, Sunak acknowledged the electorate's "sobering verdict" and conceded defeat to Labour, pledging a smooth transition of power.
He said: “The Labour Party has won this General Election. And I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.
"Today power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner with goodwill on all sides.
"That is something that should give us all confidence in our country’s stability, and future."
Look back at previous elections
Last elections: How the Tories gained power
By Jack Elsom, Chief Political Correspondent
2019 - The Brexit election
Boris Johnson called the 2019 general election to break the Commons deadlock over Brexit.
A coalition of Opposition parties and Tory Remainers were blocking his deal from passing and had effectively put the country in limbo.
After purging the Conservatives rebels - and battling Jeremy Corbyn to actually let him trigger the election - the date was set for December 12.
The winter campaign saw Johnson adopt an effective Get Brexit Done slogan while Labour struggled to explain its policy of holding a second referendum.
The result saw the collapse of Labour’s Red Wall fortress of northern seats who switched to back the Tories and helped them win an 80-seat landslide majority.
CON: 365/43.6% LAB: 202/32.1%
2017 - May fluffs it
Theresa May was riding high in the polls in the spring of 2017 when she decided on a walking weekend in Wales to call a snap election.
While commanding a slim majority, she wanted her mandate having inherited No10 from David Cameron after a Tory coronation contest.
But the wheels quickly fell off her presidential-style campaign, resulting in a disastrous press conference where she infamously insisted “nothing has changed!” as her social care policy was ripped to shreds.
It cost her the Tory majority as Jeremy Corbyn performed better than expected, and May was forced to do a confidence and supply deal with the DUP.
CON: 317/42.3% LAB: 262/40%
2015 - Cameron wins majority
David Cameron let his Tory-Lib Dem coalition reach its full five years, resulting in a long 2015 campaign.
He successfully turned on his deputy PM Nick Clegg - blaming them for all the faults of their government and asking voters to help him cut them loose.
It was an effective strategy that saw him clinch a small Tory majority, the first since 1992.
CON: 330/36.1% LAB: 258/29%
2010 - Cameron falls short
After 13 years of New Labour, Gordon Brown was ousted as Prime Minister - but the Tories fell short of an outright majority.
Brown had bottled calling an election in 2007 upon succeeding Blair after letting speculation run and run.
After five days of coalition talks, Cameron forged a deal with Nick Clegg's Lib Dems.
CON: 306/36.1% LAB: 258/29%
Cleverly retains his seat
Home Secretary James Cleverley successfully retained his seat in Braintree, securing 35.5 percent of the vote share.
He expressed gratitude on X this morning, stating: "Huge thank you to the people of the Braintree constituency for returning me as your Member of Parliament."
";It is a privilege to serve," he continued.
Losses to Labour
Labour secured another victory as Minister of State for Veterans' Affairs Johnny Mercer lost to them in Plymouth Moor View.
UK Minister of State for Northern Ireland Steve Baker also faced defeat, losing his Wycombe seat to Labour's Emma Reynolds.
On a different note, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt narrowly retained his seat in South West Surrey, while former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak successfully defended Richmond and Northallerton.
Four officials lose their seats
In rapid succession just before 4am, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, Tory Deputy Chairman Jonathan Gullis and Chief Whip Simon Hart were all defeated in their constituencies.
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk and Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer also faced electoral defeat.
Additionally, Treasury Minister Bim Afolami lost his seat in Hitchin to Labour.
326 seats secured in election
Labour swept into Downing Street after securing the necessary 326 seats, while the Conservatives faced widespread losses across the UK.
The evening saw the first upset with Shapps losing to Labour in Welwyn Hatfield.
Mordaunt appeared visibly disappointed as she conceded Portsmouth North to Labour’s Amanda Martin by a narrow margin of 780 votes.
Meanwhile, Conservative stalwart Rees-Mogg was left reeling by a surprising defeat in Bath earlier in the morning.
Truss loses seat
In a surprising turn of events, Liz Truss lost her seat in Norfolk South West, traditionally a safe Conservative stronghold.
Labour's Terry Jeremy clinched victory with 11,847 votes, narrowly defeating the former Prime Minister, who garnered 11,217 votes.
Among the casualties were Defence Secretary Shapps and Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt, both expected contenders for the leadership, alongside nine other Cabinet ministers who also lost their seats in the election.
How did your area vote?
The electoral map changed massively last night, as Labour stormed into power with a massive majority.
If you wanted to know how your area voted in this generation-defining general election, it couldn't be easier.
Simply head to our story below to check out our interactive map...
Which Tory big beasts have been ousted?
The Tories lost a dozen big beasts in the crushing election defeat.
Jacob Rees-Mogg was ousted by Labour in North Somerset.
Other senior casualties include Mark Harper, Grant Shapps, Penny Mordaunt and Lucy Frazer.
Sir Robert Buckland, Alex Chalk and Gillian Keegan are also gone.
Credit: Getty World leaders congratulate Starmer on landside victory
World leaders have shared their congratulations with Sir Keir Starmer after he was named the UK's new PM.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: "I am delighted about the election victory of the leader of our sister party in the UK.
"I know Keir Starmer personally, we have often met and talked. He will be a very good, very successful prime minister... I also have the impression that we won't have much trouble developing relations between Europe and the UK and between Germany and the UK."
While Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg told press: "I will congratulate Keir Starmer on his election. I look forward to welcoming him and meeting him at the NATO summit in Washington next week.
"I have met Keir Starmer here at the NATO headquarters and I know that he is a strong supporter of NATO, of the transatlantic alliance and also committed to ensuring that United Kingdom continues to be a strong and very committed NATO ally."
Prime minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas shared a message highlighting "common security" goals.
He said: "Congratulations on your historic election victory, (Sir Keir).
"Estonia and the UK are the strongest of allies and the closest of friends. The UK's commitment to our common security is valued by every Estonian.
"I'm sure our excellent cooperation will only continue to thrive."
Pictured: Starmer's first day as PM
Credit: REUTERS 
Credit: PA Wire 
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Credit: Guy Bell/Alamy Live News 
Credit: Getty Images 
Credit: Guy Bell/Alamy Live News Five pro-Palestine MPs shock Labour
Five MPs who put Gaza at the heart of their campaigns have shocked Labour to cause huge upsets.
Among them was the unexpected loss of the Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth in Leicester East, while ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn held on to Islington North.
- Here they are…
- Shockat Adam (Leicester South)
- Ayoub Khan (Birmingham Perry Barr)
- Adnan Hussain (Blackburn)
- Iqbal Mohamed (Dewsbury and Batley)
- Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North)
