In a historic turn of events, the British general election yielded a remarkable outcome as the opposition Labour Party secured a resounding victory by clinching over 400 seats, far surpassing the necessary 326 seats for a majority.
This marked a significant shift in power, ending the 14-year rule of the Conservative Party. Notably, Rishi Sunak, an individual of Indian origin who not only led the Conservative Party but also served as the Prime Minister, suffered a defeat in the election.
Expressing accountability for the loss, Sunak apologised to party supporters and the public before departing.
In accordance with the British political system, the triumphant Labour Party’s leader, 61-year-old Sir Keir Starmer, ascended to the position of Britain’s Prime Minister.
Starmer easily became the prime minister
On the afternoon of last Friday, the newly appointed Prime Minister, Starmer, accompanied by his wife Victoria, delivered a national address from 10 Downing Street.
This significant occasion was marked by the presence of numerous supporters of the Labour Party, who extended a warm welcome to the new Prime Minister.
During his address, Starmer emphasised his commitment to prioritising the country over party politics and pledged to lead Britain in a new direction while focusing on rebuilding the nation.
In accordance with tradition, Starmer proceeded to Buckingham Palace to meet with King Charles III, where he informed the monarch of his ability to form a government and sought the King’s consent.
Following this customary procedure, Starmer made his way to No. 10 Downing Street as the newly appointed Prime Minister.
He is a Londoner
Keir Starmer, the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, was born on September 2, 1962, in London, Surrey.
His mother, Josephine, worked as a nurse, and his father, Rodney, was a toolmaker and then a taxi driver.
Starmer attended the Reigate Grammar School, a selective co-educational independent school, for his primary education. He then pursued a degree in law at the University of Leeds.
Before diving into the realm of politics, Starmer had a successful career as a human rights lawyer. He specialised in tackling social injustices and fighting for human rights.
It was in 1987 that he commenced his practice as a barrister. Notably, Starmer was part of the legal team that sought to halt Prime Minister Tony Blair’s support of the US invasion of Iraq on the grounds of its legality.
Starmer met Victoria in 1998
In 2007, after their marriage, the couple, who have two children, has been known to be a supportive unit.
Victoria, a nurse, is described as a humble and quiet individual who has always stood by her husband, providing steadfast support during his political endeavours.
Following his appointment as the Director of Public Prosecutions in Great Britain in 2008, Starmer successfully managed and supervised various high-profile trials.
As a testament to his contributions, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2014 for his outstanding service.
he will make permanent changes in British politics
In 2015, Sir Keir Starmer embarked on his political journey by representing the constituency of Holborn and St Pancras as a Member of Parliament.
Over the years, he has assumed various influential roles within the Labour Party, ultimately ascending to the leadership position following the departure of Jeremy Corbyn.
Despite his reservations about Britain’s exit from the European Union, Starmer has been unequivocal in his stance that the UK will not seek to rejoin the EU.
Moreover, he has consistently articulated his vision of instigating substantial and enduring transformations within the landscape of British politics should he assume the role of Prime Minister.
Starmer’s Foreign Policy
Many people are interested in the foreign policies of Starmer and his Labour government, as he has been named the new Prime Minister of Britain.
The new Prime Minister is preparing to meet the American President Joe Biden and the leaders of neighbouring European countries.
The 75th session of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is scheduled to take place in Washington, USA, and Starmer will be attending as the new Prime Minister of Britain.
This will be Starmer’s first overseas tour. Prime Minister Starmer, American President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and other heads of state of NATO member countries will be at the NATO summit in Washington.
Foreign media have reported that they are planning to meet. ‘NATO’ is the military alliance formed by America, Canada, and other European countries to counter threats from Russia.
At the NATO summit, Starmer will need to address the Russian-Ukraine crisis. Starmer has also pledged to support Ukraine in the crisis, condemning Russia’s actions as ‘brutal’.
The pledge was made when US President Joe Biden called to congratulate him. Starmer plans to visit Ukraine soon and meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
EU meeting with starmer
On July 18, a significant meeting of EU political groups is set to take place at the historic Blenheim Palace in Oxford, central England.
The gathering will feature Prime Minister Starmer, who is expected to engage in discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Notably, the Labour Party took charge of the British government after 2010, and Prime Minister Starmer has underlined the priority of implementing clear and robust foreign policies.
Additionally, he is anticipated to address the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, advocating for the establishment of a separate state for Palestine.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Starmer has expressed his administration’s commitment to fostering amicable relations with China.
A degraded country under Sunak’s rule
Keir Starmer has stepped into the role of Prime Minister during a challenging period for the country. The cost of living has surged dramatically, making it difficult for people to afford essentials, gas, and electricity.
Home ownership has become a distant aspiration for many, while soaring rental prices have placed a heavy burden on tenants.
These unprecedented challenges have created widespread hardship. Moreover, decisions made during Rishi Sunak’s tenure have disrupted the equilibrium of people’s lives, culminating in a national crisis due to the immigration laws enacted under critical circumstances.
The problem of foreign care workers
Numerous individuals entered the country on care worker visas, however, Sunak’s inability to effectively manage their presence led to exploitation by middlemen who capitalised on the situation for sizeable profits.
They levied exorbitant fees from the workers, resulting in an unjust circumstance. This situation is a direct result of Sunak’s poor governance – his failure to comprehend essential infrastructure led to escalated house prices, soaring rent, and a shortage of housing.
Moreover, the leniency of immigration laws resulted in a considerable influx of foreign students, some of whom exploited the system with false educational pretences.
Sunak’s realisation of these circumstances came belatedly, prompting the enforcement of tightened immigration laws. However, it remains evident that his poor governance contributed significantly to the predicament.
The new Prime Minister, Starmer, is faced with the urgent task of addressing and rectifying these pressing issues.
Care workers who have been wronged
The plight of the care workers who migrated to the UK demands urgent attention and fair resolution. It is incumbent upon Starmer to ensure stability and security for these workers’ future in the country.
Even though the United Kingdom officially departed from the European Union in December 2020, the promised benefits for the people are yet to materialise.
During the Brexit referendum, one of the pivotal pledges was to bolster the National Health Service (NHS) with the funds saved from exiting the EU. Despite this, the NHS is now in a precarious state, making it increasingly difficult for people to access vital healthcare services.
Therefore, it is imperative for Starmer to swiftly implement necessary measures to alleviate this pressing issue.
It appears that Starmer has chosen to prioritise addressing the challenges faced by foreigners, particularly displaying a keen interest in providing military support to Ukraine.
While the country’s security certainly demands serious consideration, it remains critical for Starmer to prioritise resolving domestic issues as a primary responsibility.
