UK election results: New UK PM Sir Keir Starmer on collision course with Donald Trump
New British PM Sir Keir Starmer could have set himself on a collision course with Donald Trump, if he wins the US presidency again, in just his first day in office.
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The new British PM Sir Keith Starmer has moved quickly to name his ‘no surprises’ Cabinet with few changes made to his top team, as his shadow ministers were slotted into the government posts they have been preparing for.
However former comments from the new Foreign Secretary David Lammy could send cross-Atlantic relations into a tailspin if Donald Trump returns to The White House in January.
Deputy leader Angela Rayner has been appointed as Deputy PM by Starmer, the first appointment of Starmer’s top team of ministers.
Rachel Reeves takes charge of the Treasury, while Pat McFadden, an ex aide to Tony Blair, has been named Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster as a government fixer role.
Together those four will form the decision-making heart of the administration.
Yvette Cooper has been appointed Home Secretary, with David Lammy tapped as the new Foreign Secretary.
Lammy’s post could cause problems with the US if Donald Trump ascends to the Presidency for a second time next year. Lammy has formerly described the 45th President as ‘a neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath’.
That possible impasse in UK-US relations could mirror the situation Australia might find itself in, after former PM Kevin Rudd, now Australia’s ambassador to the US, described Trump as ‘destructive’ and a ‘traitor’ to the west’.
Trump responded earlier this year by saying Rudd was ‘nasty’ and ‘not the brightest bulb’ and that he ‘won’t be there long’ if the Republican returns to The White House.
‘NOT JUST CHANGE BUT HOPE’
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who was the last Labour leader of the UK before the Tories took power in 2010, has congratulated Sir Keir Starmer on his resounding victory.
Mr Brown, 73, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to voice his jubilation.
“Keir Starmer has summed it up ‘today we enter the sunlight of hope’,” Mr Brown said.
“Congratulations to Keir and all (UK Labour) for a resounding election victory.
“My best wishes to all the new Labour MPs and, above all, I congratulate the British people who have chosen not just change, but hope.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was also among those to wish Sir Keir well.
“Congratulations to my friend and new UK Prime Minister (Sir Keir) on his resounding election victory – I look forward to working constructively with the new incoming (Labour) Government,” Mr Albanese posted to X.
Mr Albanese expanded on the sentiments telling reporters he looked forward to working with Sir Keir on AUKUS – the security partnership between Australia, UK and US which will see Australia receive nuclear-powered submarines.
Congratulations to my friend and new UK Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer on his resounding election victory - I look forward to working constructively with the incoming @UKLabour Government
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 5, 2024
“We have a strong relationship between our two countries, but in Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner and so many others who I am very familiar with in the British Labour Party, I look forward very much to working with them,” Mr Albanese said.
“They have very similar views to us on a range of issues. I’m sure we’ll work closely on AUKUS, where we worked very closely as well with the former government.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon also posted a heartfelt message on X.
“Congratulations (Sir Keir) on your election victory. New Zealand and the UK are great friends and can do so much more together,” Mr Luxon said.
“I look forward to working on every opportunity together as prime ministers. Thank you @RishiSunak for your service to your nation and friendship to New Zealand.”
Congratulations @Keir_Starmer on your election victory. New Zealand and the UK are great friends and can do so much more together. I look forward to working on every opportunity together as prime ministers.
— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) July 5, 2024
Thank you @RishiSunak for your service to your nation and friendship to…
Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau was also quick to send a congratulatory message.
“Congratulations, (Sir Keir) on a historic UK election victory,” Mr Trudeau said.
“Lots of work ahead to build a more progressive, fair future for people on both sides of the Atlantic. Let’s get to it, my friend.”
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky not only offered his best wishes to Sir Keir but also his thanks to outgoing UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
“Congratulations to (Sir Keir) and (UK Labour) on their convincing election victory,” Mr Zelenskyy said.
“Ukraine and the United Kingdom have been and will continue to be reliable allies through thick and thin. We will continue to defend and advance our common values of life, freedom, and a rules-based international order …
“I am grateful to my good friend (Rishi Sunak) for the UK government’s steadfast support under his leadership.
“Challenger tanks, Storm Shadow missiles, F-16 training for our pilots, and the first bilateral security co-operation agreement are just a few of our shared achievements that Ukraine will never forget.”
Embattled French president Emmanuel Macron revealed on X that he had already spoken personally to Sir Keir after his victory.
“Congratulations (Sir Keir) on your victory,” Mr Macron said.
“Pleased with our first discussion. We will continue the work begun with the UK for our bilateral co-operation, for peace and security in Europe, for the climate and for AI.”
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‘BRICK-BY-BRICK WE WILL REBUILD’
Sir Keir Starmer stood outside his new home at Number 10 Downing Street to make his first pitch to the people as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Speaking about three hours after Mr Sunak and after his visit with King Charles for a mandate to lead the government, he said the nation had voted “for change and national renewal” and “we need to move forward together” and “heal the “wound of trust”.
“And brick-by-brick we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity,” Sir Keir said.
The country needed a reset and Labour would deliver it for all regardless of how people voted, he added.
“We can make a start today with the simple acknowledgment that public service is a privilege and that your Government should treat every person in this country with respect. If you voted Labour yesterday, we will carry the responsibility of your trust as we rebuild our country. But whether you voted Labour or not, in fact, especially if you did not, I say to you directly: My government will serve you.”
He concluded: “Our work is urgent and we begin it today” to rousing cheers and applause.
The new UK Prime Minister, with his wife Victoria, were seen embracing with and receiving congratulations from supporters gathered on Downing Street.
The crowd were cheering and waving mini Union Jack flags in his honour.
Sir Keir was the second prime minister King Charles has welcomed, after he met with Rishi Sunak in the first weeks of his reign in 2022.
‘I’M SORRY’: RISHI SUNAK TO STEP DOWN
Rishi Sunak has formerly tended his resignation as the Prime Minister of the UK, which King Charles III has accepted, following Labour’s landslide victory.
It comes after he addressed the nation outside No 10 Downing Street, where he apologised to the nation and announced his plans to step down as the leader of the Conservative Party.
“I have given this job my all,” Mr Sunak said.
“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’ve heard your anger, I take responsibility for this loss.”
He apologised to his fellow Conservative Party candidates an campaigners.
“I’m sorry that we could not deliver what your efforts deserved,” Mr Sunak said.
“Following this result, I will step down as party leaders, not immediately, but one the formal arrangement for selecting my successor are in place.
“It is important that after 14 years in government the Conservative Party rebuilds but also that it takes up it’s crucial role in opposition professional and effectively.”
Mr Sunak said despite disagreements Sir Keir was a “decent public-spirited man who I respect” and he wished him well.
LABOUR’S LANDSLIDE VICTORY
Labour has won a landslide victory in the UK General Election with a dozen high profile Conservative MPs losing their seats and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK entering parliament.
Exit polls had suggested Labour led by Sir Keir Starmer would pick up 411 seats in the House of Commons and after ten hours of counting, it had reached that number – just slightly short of the record 418 seats the party won in the Tony Blair landslide of 1997.
The Conservatives claimed 120 seats – 12 less than predicted by the exit polls – while the Liberal Democrats won 71, and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK was victorious in four constituencies.
For Mr Farage, winning his own seat was particularly gratifying after eight attempts.
Labour sailed past the 326 seat majority they needed to form government with Sir Keir telling supporters in London “a weight has been lifted, a burden finally removed from the shoulders of this great nation”.
“We did it,” he said triumphantly to rousing applause.
“The fight for trust is the battle for our age. A mandate like this comes with great responsibility.”
HIGH PROFILE TORIES LOSE TO LABOUR
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk were early Conservative casualties, both losing to the Liberal Democrats, while former Prime minister Liz Truss, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and other high-profile Tories Penny Mordaunt and Jacob Rees-Mogg lost to Labour.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman and immigration minister Robert Jenrick survived close contests.
SUNAK CONCEDES DEFEAT
Shortly before 5am local time (2pm AEST), outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealed he had congratulated Sir Keir on the Labour victory.
Acknowledging his return as the MP for North Yorkshire, Mr Sunak said it was a “difficult night” and the British people “had “delivered a sobering verdict”.
He confirmed he would stay on as an MP, and said he had “given my all” to the job of prime minister.
LABOUR LANDSLIDE AFTER 14 YEARS OF CONSERVATIVE RULE
The Labour landslide had been long predicted, with the party leading opinion polls for two years, and Sir Keir’s pitch of “safe change” embraced by a majority of voters after 14 years of Conservative rule, including a revolving door of five prime ministers and frequent party infighting.
Mr Shapps slammed the Tory government “soap opera” in his concession speech, while others questioned the wisdom of Mr Sunak’s decision to go to the polls early amid a spiralling cost of living crisis.
Conservatives bemoaned a disastrous campaign that began with Mr Sunak’s rain-soaked election announcement, followed by his poor decision to leave D-Day commemorations early, and an insider betting scandal that plagued the party over the past few weeks.
FARAGE NETS ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ SUPPORT
Many disaffected Conservative supporters gave their vote to Reform UK, with party leader Nigel Farage boasting of “unprecedented” levels of support that topped 30 per cent in some areas.
“The revolt against the establishment is underway,” he posted on social media.
While the party’s hope of grabbing 13 seats ebbed away as counting continued through the night, Mr Farage was able to claim victory in Clacton-on-Sea, finally winning a House of Commons seat on his eight attempt.
‘I WILL HAVE YOUR BACK’: SIR KEIR VOWS
Claiming victory in his London seat of Holborn and St Pancras, despite a strong personal swing against him, Sir Keir promised to “serve every person in this constituency”.
“The mothers I sat with who have lost children to knife crime; the pensioners who can’t get the doctor’s appointments they desperately need; the local businesses who have struggled so hard to keep their head above water. I will speak out for you, have your back, fight your corner every single day,” he said.
Sir Keir was lauded for bringing Labour back into contention after its vote collapsed at the 2019 election when left wing firebrand Jeremy Corbyn was leader.
Mr Corbyn won his seat of Islington North as an independent after he was barred from standing as a Labour candidate last year, in a move initiated by Sir Keir.
2024 ELECTION TURNOUT DOWN
While many constituencies swung from the Tories to Labour, the party was also on track to snatch seats from the Scottish National Party, with polls predicting it would lose more than half of its MPs.
Turnout at the 2024 election was down, with some political commentators suggesting a new requirement for voters to show photo identification at polling stations could be partly responsible.
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Originally published as UK election results: New UK PM Sir Keir Starmer on collision course with Donald Trump
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