LONDON (AP) — Britain's new prime minister, Keir Starmer, vowed Friday to reverse the hopelessness that grew over 14 years of Conservative rule and said he would lead an urgent mission of national renewal after his Labour Party’s landslide victory.
It will be a tall order.
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LONDON (AP) — Britain's new prime minister, Keir Starmer, vowed Friday to reverse the hopelessness that grew over 14 years of Conservative rule and said he would lead an urgent mission of national renewal after his Labour Party’s landslide victory.
Britain's outgoing Conservative Party Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and his wife Akshata Murty leave after Sunak made a short speech outside 10 Downing Street before going to see King Charles III to tender his resignation in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Sunak and his Conservative Party lost the general election held July 4, to the Labour Party, whose leader Keir Starmer is set become Prime Minister later Friday. (Lucy North/PA via AP)
Britain's outgoing Conservative Party Prime Minister Rishi Sunak makes a speech in front of the massed banks of media outside of 10 Downing Street before going to see King Charles III to tender his resignation in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Sunak and his Conservative Party lost the general election held July 4, to the Labour Party, whose leader Keir Starmer is set become Prime Minister later Friday. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Britain's outgoing Conservative Party Prime Minister Rishi Sunak looks down as he makes a short speech outside 10 Downing Street before going to see King Charles III to tender his resignation in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Sunak and his Conservative Party lost the general election held July 4, to the Labour Party, whose leader Keir Starmer is set become Prime Minister later Friday. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's outgoing Conservative Party Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty walk from 10 Downing Street to a waiting car before going to see King Charles III to tender his resignation in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Sunak and his Conservative Party lost the general election held July 4, to the Labour Party, whose leader Keir Starmer is set become Prime Minister later Friday. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP)
Britain's Labour Party Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria walk towards supporters outside 10 Downing Street in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour leader Starmer won the general election on July 4, and was appointed Prime Minster by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, after the party won a landslide victory. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's Labour Party Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria wave to the crowds of supporters and media from the doorstep of 10 Downing Street in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour leader Starmer won the general election on July 4, and was appointed Prime Minster by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, after the party won a landslide victory. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's Labour Party Prime Minister Kier Starmer and his wife Victoria arrive in Downing Street and greet supporters in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour leader Stammer won the general election on July 4, and was appointed Prime Minster by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, after the party won a landslide victory. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's Labour Party Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria walk past supporters towards 10 Downing Street in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour leader Starmer won the general election on July 4, and was appointed Prime Minster by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, after the party won a landslide victory. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks in front of 10 Downing Street in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory, but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. (AP Photo/David Cliff)
Britain's newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria enter his official London residence at No 10 Downing Street for the first time after the Labour Party won a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, in London, Friday July 5, 2024. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's King Charles III, right, speaks with Keir Starmer where he invited the Labour Party leader to become prime minister and to form a new government, following the landslide general election victory for the Labour Party, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. (Yui Mok, Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's King Charles III, right, shakes hands with Keir Starmer where he invited the Labour Party leader to become prime minister and to form a new government, following the landslide general election victory for the Labour Party, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. (Yui Mok, Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's King Charles III, right, shakes hands with Keir Starmer where he invited the Labour Party leader to become prime minister and to form a new government, following the landslide general election victory for the Labour Party, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. (Yui Mok, Pool Photo via AP)
Outgoing Conservative chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt, with his wife Lucia Hunt and their children Jack, Anna and Eleanor leave 11 Downing Street after the Labour party won a landslide victory in the general election, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory — but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Outgoing British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaves the Conservative Campaign Headquarters in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory, but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer shakes hands with his supporters at the Tate Modern in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour Party Starmer says voters "have spoken and they are ready for change" as an exit poll points to landslide win, and is expected to be the next British Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
A policeman stands guard outside 10 Downing Street as rain falls in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. No10 is official home of the British Prime Minister, and after winning the 2024 general election Labour Party leader Keir Starmer is expected to become the next Prime Minister. Starmer said voters "have spoken and they are ready for change"; the Labour Party has defeated the Conservative government led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the election held on July 4. (AP Photo/David Cliff)
The statues of former British Prime Minister's David Lloyd George, left, and Winston Churchill stand in Parliament Square in Westminster across from the Houses of Parliament in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory — but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Former prime minister Liz Truss looks on as she loses her Norfolk South West seat to Labour at Alive Lynnsport in King's Lynn, Norfolk, during the count in the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory — but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. (Jacob King/PA via AP)
Bill Blockhead, left, an independent candidate, views results on a phone at the Sports Training Village, University of Bath, in Somerset, during the count for the North East Somerset and Hanham constituency in the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. (Jonathan BradyPA via AP)
Scottish First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney looks down at his phone at Ice Hall in the Dewars Centre, Perth, during the count in the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer speaks on stage after he was elected for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party appears to be headed for a huge majority in the 2024 UK election, an exit poll suggested. The poll released moments after voting closed indicated that Labour leader Keir Starmer will be the country's next prime minister.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Independent candidate Count Binface speaks to a journalist as he arrives for the vote count in Britain's general election at the Richmond and Northallerton count center in Northallerton, England, Friday July 5, 2024. (Temilade Adelaja, Pool via AP)
Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty leave a polling station after voting near Richmond, North Yorkshire, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell )
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg looks at his phone at the Sports Training Village, University of Bath, in Somerset, during the count for the North East Somerset and Hanham constituency in the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll and partial returns indicated, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP)
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer with his wife Victoria make their way through supporters as they arrive at the count for the Holborn and St Pancras Parliamentary constituency where the Starmer is standing for election, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party appears to be headed for a huge majority in the 2024 UK election, an exit poll suggested. The poll released moments after voting closed indicated that Labour leader Keir Starmer will be the country's next prime minister. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, second right, arrives at Clacton Leisure Centre in Clacton, England, during the count for the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll suggested, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval. (Joe Giddens/PA Wire/PA via AP)
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage gives a victory speech after winning his seat at Clacton Leisure Centre in Clacton, England, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll suggested, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval. (Joe Giddens/PA Wire/PA via AP)
Liberal Democrat Ed Davey celebrates at a general election results watch party at the London Art Bar, central London, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll and partial returns indicated, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval. (James Manning/PA via AP)
Independent candidate Niko Omilana holds an "L" behind Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who speaks after winning his seat in the general election at the Richmond and Northallerton count center in Northallerton, England, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll and partial returns indicated, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval. (Temilade Adelaja, Pool via AP)
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer smiles as he speaks to his supporters at the Tate Modern in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour Party Starmer says voters "have spoken and they are ready for change" as an exit poll points to landslide win, and is expected to be the next British Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Ballot boxes are emptied at Ice Hall in the Dewars Centre, Perth, Scotland, during the count for the Perth and North Perthshire constituency in the 2024 General Election, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party was headed for a huge majority in Britain’s election on Thursday, an exit poll suggested. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt, Northern Ireland, during the count for the 2024 General Election, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party was headed for a huge majority in Britain’s election on Thursday, an exit poll suggested. (Niall Carson/PA via AP)
Ballot boxes are emptied at Silkworth Community Pool Tennis & Wellness Centre in Sunderland, England, during the count for the 2024 General Election, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party was headed for a huge majority in Britain’s election on Thursday, an exit poll suggested. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
A man leaves a temporary polling station at Wimbledon Village, London, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Voters in the U.K. are casting their ballots in a national election to choose the 650 lawmakers who will sit in Parliament for the next five years. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Britain's LibDem party leader Ed Davey and his wife Emily Daveypose for the media after they cast their vote at polling station in Kingston, London, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
A woman holds a tray after offering hot drinks to members of the media waiting for Labour Party leader Keir Starmer to vote outside a polling station in London, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Voters in the U.K. are casting their ballots in a national election to choose the 650 lawmakers who will sit in Parliament for the next five years. Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprised his own party on May 22 when he called the election. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
People walk from Falwell windmill and mill which is a temporary polling station, after casting their vote in Sunderland, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024.Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer walks out of a polling booth after casting her vote in the 2024 General Election at Redland Park United Reformed Church in Bristol, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP)
A woman displays a Reform UK Party badge on her hat in Clacton On Sea, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Voters in the U.K. are casting their ballots in a national election to choose the 650 lawmakers who will sit in Parliament for the next five years. Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprised his own party on May 22 when he called the election. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer shakes hands with other candidates after he was elected for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party appears to be headed for a huge majority in the 2024 UK election, an exit poll suggested. The poll released moments after voting closed indicated that Labour leader Keir Starmer will be the country's next prime minister. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party speaks from inside a jeep during an electoral rally at Clacton Pier in Clacton-on-Sea, England, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. United Kingdom voters will cast ballots in a national election Thursday, passing judgment on Sunak's 20 months in office, and on the four Conservative prime ministers before him. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
People react to Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, speaking during an electoral rally at Clacton Pier in Clacton-on-Sea, England, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. United Kingdom voters will cast ballots in a national election Thursday, passing judgment on Sunak's 20 months in office, and on the four Conservative prime ministers before him. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A man cycles with his daughter after casting his vote at Whitley Bay cemetery where there is polling station inside, in Whitley Bay, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
A woman leaves after casting her vote at a polling station in London, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Voters in the U.K. are casting their ballots in a national election to choose the 650 lawmakers who will sit in Parliament for the next five years. Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprised his own party on May 22 when he called the election. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A man and his dog walk towards Falwell windmill and mill which is a temporary polling station in Sunderland, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024.Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrives at Northallerton Leisure Centre in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, for the count for the Richmond and Northallerton constituency in the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty walk from a polling station after voting near Richmond, North Yorkshire, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell )
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer kisses his wife Victoria after he spoke to his supporters at the Tate Modern in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour Party Starmer says voters "have spoken and they are ready for change" as an exit poll points to landslide win, and is expected to be the next British Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer gives a thumbs up to his supporters after he was elected for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party appears to be headed for a huge majority in the 2024 UK election, an exit poll suggested. The poll released moments after voting closed indicated that Labour leader Keir Starmer will be the country's next prime minister.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Rising poverty, crumbling infrastructure, a lagging economy and an overstretched National Health Service contributed to widespread dissatisfaction and gripes about “broken Britain.” The resulting defeat was the worst ever for Conservatives.
“Have no doubt that we will rebuild Britain,” Starmer said in his first official remarks as supporters cheered and waved union jack flags outside 10 Downing St. “Brick by brick we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity.”
Starmer said it would take time, but his government would get the NHS “back on its feet,” secure the borders, improve public safety and cut electric bills — while relying on homegrown clean energy.
Among the crowd of people who gathered to watch the changing of government was David McKeever, who said Starmer needed to quickly provide the details of his plans that were often lacking during the campaign.
“From today onwards, Keir Starmer is going to have to come up with some actual policies and implement them,’’ McKeever said. “We’ll know in time what we’re dealing with. But yeah, clearly the Tories had set such a monumentally low bar, you could have fallen over it.”
Before Starmer arrived at No. 10, his predecessor, Rishi Sunak, bid farewell in a reflective speech from the same spot where he called for the snap election that led to his ouster.
“I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss,” Sunak said. “To all the Conservative candidates and campaigners who worked tirelessly but without success, I’m sorry that we could not deliver what your efforts deserved.”
Sunak’s party, which has been wracked by scandals, turbulent leadership changes and global problems out of its control, suffered its biggest defeat in its two-century history.
With results tallied for all but one constituency, Labour had won 412 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons. The Conservatives had only 121 — down from 365 seats in 2019. The drubbing surpassed even the 1906 election in which they won just 156 seats.
The Tory reign was marked by Britain's messy divorce from the European Union, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, all of which battered the economy.
When Sunak took over in October 2022, he was the third prime minister in less than two months and set out to bring stability to a party in crisis.
Widespread anger over parties thrown by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s staff in violation of his own lockdown rules led to his departure. His successor, Liz Truss, was out of office in a record 49 days after shaking the economy with a package of drastic tax cuts.
Truss, who lost her seat to Labour, was one of a slew of senior Tories kicked out in a stark electoral reckoning.
Starmer began appointing the government ministers who will be responsible for helping to turn those problems around. He announced that Rachel Reeves, a former Bank of England economist, will be Treasury chief, the first woman to hold the job.
The massive victory will bring big challenges for Starmer. He acknowledged as much in referring to the “gap between the sacrifices made by people and the service they receive from politicians," which he said led to “weariness in the heart of a nation, a draining away of the hope, the spirit, the belief in a better future.”
Tim Bale, a politics professor at Queen Mary University of London, said it’s a question of whether Starmer can fix public services fast enough to satisfy expectations.
“The National Health Service is in crisis,” Bale said. “It’s going to take quite a lot of money in order to restore its fortunes. The question is where Labour is going to get that money from and how quickly it can manage to do it.”
In a sign of the volatile public mood and anger at the system, the incoming Parliament will be more fractured and ideologically diverse than any in years.
Smaller parties picked up millions of votes, including the centrist Liberal Democrats, who captured 71 seats — up by 60 from the last election. The Green Party won four seats, up from just one before the election. One of the biggest losers was the Scottish National Party, which held most of Scotland’s 57 seats before the election but looked set to lose all but handful, mostly to Labour.
While the overall result appeared to buck recent rightward electoral shifts in Europe, including in France and Italy, many of those same populist undercurrents also flow in Britain.
Reform UK, the party of Nigel Farage, who roiled the race with his party’s anti-immigrant “take our country back” sentiment, won five seats, including one for Farage in the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea, securing a place in Parliament on his eighth attempt.
Reform, however, actually had a larger share of the vote than the Liberal Democrats and undercut support for the Conservatives and even grabbed some voters from Labour.
It failed to gain as many seats, however, because its votes were not as efficiently distributed as the centrist Liberal Democrats. In Britain’s electoral system, the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins.
Labour’s path to victory was largely a result of a cautious, safety-first campaign without making mistakes.
Starmer may have lacked charisma, but his pledges to improve the economy, invest in infrastructure and fix broken social services resonated. The party also won business backing, including endorsements from traditionally conservative newspapers such Rupert Murdoch’s The Sun tabloid, which praised Starmer for “dragging his party back to the center ground of British politics.”
The Conservatives in comparison were plagued with missteps, including Sunak’s decision to bail out early on commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion in France.
The campaign got off to an inauspicious start when Sunak stood under a downpour outside 10 Downing St in May to set the election date.
Six weeks later, on a day marked by occasional rain reminiscent of his election announcement, Sunak stood there to bid adieu and offered his best wishes to his “decent, public spirited” successor despite their disagreements in the campaign. He said he would step down from his leadership role.
Two hours later, Starmer stood in the same spot. He thanked Sunak for his dedication and noted he was the first British prime minister of Asian descent.
He then asked those who supported him and those who didn’t to join him in the mission of national renewal.
“Our work is urgent,” he said. “And we begin it today.”
Associated Press journalists Kwiyeon Ha, Danica Kirka and Pan Pylas contributed to this report.
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Britain's outgoing Conservative Party Prime Minister Rishi Sunak turns away after speaking outside 10 Downing Street before going to see King Charles III to tender his resignation in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Sunak and his Conservative Party lost the general election held July 4, to the Labour Party, whose leader Keir Starmer is set become Prime Minister later Friday. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's outgoing Conservative Party Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and his wife Akshata Murty leave after Sunak made a short speech outside 10 Downing Street before going to see King Charles III to tender his resignation in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Sunak and his Conservative Party lost the general election held July 4, to the Labour Party, whose leader Keir Starmer is set become Prime Minister later Friday. (Lucy North/PA via AP)
Britain's outgoing Conservative Party Prime Minister Rishi Sunak makes a speech in front of the massed banks of media outside of 10 Downing Street before going to see King Charles III to tender his resignation in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Sunak and his Conservative Party lost the general election held July 4, to the Labour Party, whose leader Keir Starmer is set become Prime Minister later Friday. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Britain's outgoing Conservative Party Prime Minister Rishi Sunak looks down as he makes a short speech outside 10 Downing Street before going to see King Charles III to tender his resignation in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Sunak and his Conservative Party lost the general election held July 4, to the Labour Party, whose leader Keir Starmer is set become Prime Minister later Friday. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's outgoing Conservative Party Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty walk from 10 Downing Street to a waiting car before going to see King Charles III to tender his resignation in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Sunak and his Conservative Party lost the general election held July 4, to the Labour Party, whose leader Keir Starmer is set become Prime Minister later Friday. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP)
Britain's Labour Party Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria walk towards supporters outside 10 Downing Street in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour leader Starmer won the general election on July 4, and was appointed Prime Minster by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, after the party won a landslide victory. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's Labour Party Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria wave to the crowds of supporters and media from the doorstep of 10 Downing Street in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour leader Starmer won the general election on July 4, and was appointed Prime Minster by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, after the party won a landslide victory. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's Labour Party Prime Minister Kier Starmer and his wife Victoria arrive in Downing Street and greet supporters in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour leader Stammer won the general election on July 4, and was appointed Prime Minster by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, after the party won a landslide victory. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's Labour Party Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria walk past supporters towards 10 Downing Street in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour leader Starmer won the general election on July 4, and was appointed Prime Minster by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, after the party won a landslide victory. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks in front of 10 Downing Street in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory, but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. (AP Photo/David Cliff)
Britain's newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria enter his official London residence at No 10 Downing Street for the first time after the Labour Party won a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, in London, Friday July 5, 2024. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's King Charles III, right, speaks with Keir Starmer where he invited the Labour Party leader to become prime minister and to form a new government, following the landslide general election victory for the Labour Party, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. (Yui Mok, Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's King Charles III, right, shakes hands with Keir Starmer where he invited the Labour Party leader to become prime minister and to form a new government, following the landslide general election victory for the Labour Party, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. (Yui Mok, Pool Photo via AP)
Britain's King Charles III, right, shakes hands with Keir Starmer where he invited the Labour Party leader to become prime minister and to form a new government, following the landslide general election victory for the Labour Party, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. (Yui Mok, Pool Photo via AP)
Outgoing Conservative chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt, with his wife Lucia Hunt and their children Jack, Anna and Eleanor leave 11 Downing Street after the Labour party won a landslide victory in the general election, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory — but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Outgoing British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaves the Conservative Campaign Headquarters in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory, but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer shakes hands with his supporters at the Tate Modern in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour Party Starmer says voters "have spoken and they are ready for change" as an exit poll points to landslide win, and is expected to be the next British Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
A policeman stands guard outside 10 Downing Street as rain falls in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. No10 is official home of the British Prime Minister, and after winning the 2024 general election Labour Party leader Keir Starmer is expected to become the next Prime Minister. Starmer said voters "have spoken and they are ready for change"; the Labour Party has defeated the Conservative government led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the election held on July 4. (AP Photo/David Cliff)
The statues of former British Prime Minister's David Lloyd George, left, and Winston Churchill stand in Parliament Square in Westminster across from the Houses of Parliament in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory — but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Former prime minister Liz Truss looks on as she loses her Norfolk South West seat to Labour at Alive Lynnsport in King's Lynn, Norfolk, during the count in the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party swept to power Friday after more than a decade in opposition, as a jaded electorate handed the party a landslide victory — but also a mammoth task of reinvigorating a stagnant economy and dispirited nation. (Jacob King/PA via AP)
Bill Blockhead, left, an independent candidate, views results on a phone at the Sports Training Village, University of Bath, in Somerset, during the count for the North East Somerset and Hanham constituency in the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. (Jonathan BradyPA via AP)
Scottish First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney looks down at his phone at Ice Hall in the Dewars Centre, Perth, during the count in the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer speaks on stage after he was elected for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party appears to be headed for a huge majority in the 2024 UK election, an exit poll suggested. The poll released moments after voting closed indicated that Labour leader Keir Starmer will be the country's next prime minister.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Independent candidate Count Binface speaks to a journalist as he arrives for the vote count in Britain's general election at the Richmond and Northallerton count center in Northallerton, England, Friday July 5, 2024. (Temilade Adelaja, Pool via AP)
Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty leave a polling station after voting near Richmond, North Yorkshire, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell )
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg looks at his phone at the Sports Training Village, University of Bath, in Somerset, during the count for the North East Somerset and Hanham constituency in the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll and partial returns indicated, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP)
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer with his wife Victoria make their way through supporters as they arrive at the count for the Holborn and St Pancras Parliamentary constituency where the Starmer is standing for election, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party appears to be headed for a huge majority in the 2024 UK election, an exit poll suggested. The poll released moments after voting closed indicated that Labour leader Keir Starmer will be the country's next prime minister. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, second right, arrives at Clacton Leisure Centre in Clacton, England, during the count for the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll suggested, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval. (Joe Giddens/PA Wire/PA via AP)
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage gives a victory speech after winning his seat at Clacton Leisure Centre in Clacton, England, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll suggested, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval. (Joe Giddens/PA Wire/PA via AP)
Liberal Democrat Ed Davey celebrates at a general election results watch party at the London Art Bar, central London, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll and partial returns indicated, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval. (James Manning/PA via AP)
Independent candidate Niko Omilana holds an "L" behind Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who speaks after winning his seat in the general election at the Richmond and Northallerton count center in Northallerton, England, Friday July 5, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party headed for a landslide victory Friday in a parliamentary election, an exit poll and partial returns indicated, as voters punished the governing Conservatives after 14 years of economic and political upheaval. (Temilade Adelaja, Pool via AP)
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer smiles as he speaks to his supporters at the Tate Modern in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour Party Starmer says voters "have spoken and they are ready for change" as an exit poll points to landslide win, and is expected to be the next British Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Ballot boxes are emptied at Ice Hall in the Dewars Centre, Perth, Scotland, during the count for the Perth and North Perthshire constituency in the 2024 General Election, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party was headed for a huge majority in Britain’s election on Thursday, an exit poll suggested. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt, Northern Ireland, during the count for the 2024 General Election, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party was headed for a huge majority in Britain’s election on Thursday, an exit poll suggested. (Niall Carson/PA via AP)
Ballot boxes are emptied at Silkworth Community Pool Tennis & Wellness Centre in Sunderland, England, during the count for the 2024 General Election, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain’s Labour Party was headed for a huge majority in Britain’s election on Thursday, an exit poll suggested. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
A man leaves a temporary polling station at Wimbledon Village, London, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Voters in the U.K. are casting their ballots in a national election to choose the 650 lawmakers who will sit in Parliament for the next five years. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Britain's LibDem party leader Ed Davey and his wife Emily Daveypose for the media after they cast their vote at polling station in Kingston, London, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
A woman holds a tray after offering hot drinks to members of the media waiting for Labour Party leader Keir Starmer to vote outside a polling station in London, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Voters in the U.K. are casting their ballots in a national election to choose the 650 lawmakers who will sit in Parliament for the next five years. Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprised his own party on May 22 when he called the election. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
People walk from Falwell windmill and mill which is a temporary polling station, after casting their vote in Sunderland, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024.Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer walks out of a polling booth after casting her vote in the 2024 General Election at Redland Park United Reformed Church in Bristol, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jonathan Brady/PA via AP)
A woman displays a Reform UK Party badge on her hat in Clacton On Sea, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Voters in the U.K. are casting their ballots in a national election to choose the 650 lawmakers who will sit in Parliament for the next five years. Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprised his own party on May 22 when he called the election. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)
Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer shakes hands with other candidates after he was elected for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party appears to be headed for a huge majority in the 2024 UK election, an exit poll suggested. The poll released moments after voting closed indicated that Labour leader Keir Starmer will be the country's next prime minister. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party speaks from inside a jeep during an electoral rally at Clacton Pier in Clacton-on-Sea, England, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. United Kingdom voters will cast ballots in a national election Thursday, passing judgment on Sunak's 20 months in office, and on the four Conservative prime ministers before him. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
People react to Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, speaking during an electoral rally at Clacton Pier in Clacton-on-Sea, England, Wednesday, July 3, 2024. United Kingdom voters will cast ballots in a national election Thursday, passing judgment on Sunak's 20 months in office, and on the four Conservative prime ministers before him. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A man cycles with his daughter after casting his vote at Whitley Bay cemetery where there is polling station inside, in Whitley Bay, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
A woman leaves after casting her vote at a polling station in London, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Voters in the U.K. are casting their ballots in a national election to choose the 650 lawmakers who will sit in Parliament for the next five years. Outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprised his own party on May 22 when he called the election. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A man and his dog walk towards Falwell windmill and mill which is a temporary polling station in Sunderland, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024.Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrives at Northallerton Leisure Centre in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, for the count for the Richmond and Northallerton constituency in the 2024 General Election, Friday July 5, 2024. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty walk from a polling station after voting near Richmond, North Yorkshire, England, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Britain goes to the polls Thursday after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a general election. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell )
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer kisses his wife Victoria after he spoke to his supporters at the Tate Modern in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Labour Party Starmer says voters "have spoken and they are ready for change" as an exit poll points to landslide win, and is expected to be the next British Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer gives a thumbs up to his supporters after he was elected for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. Britain's Labour Party appears to be headed for a huge majority in the 2024 UK election, an exit poll suggested. The poll released moments after voting closed indicated that Labour leader Keir Starmer will be the country's next prime minister.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
