On 4 January 2020, Keir Starmer announced his candidacy for the Labour Party leadership election.[1] By 8 January, it was reported that he had gained enough nominations from Labour MPs and MEPs to get onto the ballot paper, and that the trade union Unison was backing him. Unison, with 1.3 million members, said Starmer was the best placed candidate to unite the party and regain public trust.[2] He also gained support from former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Mayor of LondonSadiq Khan.[3]
During the leadership election, Starmer ran a left-wing platform. He positioned himself in opposition to austerity, stating that the outgoing leader Jeremy Corbyn was "right" to position Labour as the "party of anti-austerity".[4][5] He indicated he would continue with the Labour policy of scrapping tuition fees as well as pledging "common ownership" of rail, mail, energy and water companies and called for ending outsourcing in the NHS, local governments and the justice system.[6] Starmer was announced as the winner of the leadership contest on 4 April 2020, defeating rivals Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy, with 56.2% of the vote in the first round.[7] As Leader of the Opposition, contrary to his leadership campaign, he moved the party toward the political centre, and also emphasised the project of eliminating antisemitism within the party. In 2023, Starmer set out five missions for his government, targeting issues such as economic growth, health, clean energy, crime and education.
On 22 May 2024, Rishi Sunak unexpectedly announced that a general election would be held on 4 July 2024. Labour entered the general election with a large lead over the Conservative Party in opinion polls, and the potential scale of the party's victory was a topic of discussion during the campaign period.[8][9] In June 2024, Starmer released the Labour Party manifesto Change, which focuses on economic growth, planning system reforms, infrastructure, what Starmer describes as "clean energy", healthcare, education, childcare, and strengthening workers' rights.[10][11] It pledges a new publicly owned energy company (Great British Energy), a "Green Prosperity Plan", reducing patient waiting times in the NHS, and renationalisation of the railway network (Great British Railways).[12] It includes wealth creation and "pro-business and pro-worker" policies.[13] The manifesto also pledged to give votes to 16 year olds, reform the House of Lords, and to tax private schools, with money generated going into improving state education.[14][15]
In July 2024, Starmer led Labour to a landslide victory in the general election, ending fourteen years of Conservative government with Labour becoming the largest party in the House of Commons.[16] Labour achieved a 174-seat simple majority and a total of 411 seats,[a] the party's third-best result in terms of seat share following the 1997 and 2001 general elections. The party became the largest in England for the first time since 2005, in Scotland for the first time since 2010, and retained its status as the largest party in Wales.[17]
In his victory speech, Starmer thanked party workers for their hard work – including nearly five years of revamping and rebranding Labour in the face of Conservative dominance – and urged them to savour the moment, but warned them of challenges ahead and pledged his government would work for "national renewal":[18][19]
We did it! You campaigned for it, you fought for it, you voted for it and now it has arrived. Change begins now. And it feels good, I have to be honest. Four-and-a-half years of work changing the party. This is what it is for – a changed Labour Party ready to serve our country, ready to restore Britain to the service of working people. And across our country people will be waking up to the news, relieved that a weight has been lifted, a burden finally removed from the shoulders of this great nation. And now we can look forward. Walk into the morning, the sunlight of hope, pale at first but getting stronger through the day, shining once again, on a country with the opportunity after 14 years to get its future back. We said we would end the chaos and we will. We said we would turn the page and we have. Today we start the next chapter, begin the work of change, the mission of national renewal and start to rebuild our country.
Premiership
Appointment as Prime Minister
As the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons, Starmer was appointed as prime minister by King Charles III on 5 July 2024, becoming the first Labour prime minister since Gordon Brown, the first one to win a general election since Tony Blair, and the first Labour government formed during the reign of Charles III.[20] He and his wife Victoria Starmer were driven from Buckingham Palace to Downing Street. Starmer stopped the car on the way back from the palace and went on a walkabout outside Downing Street to meet cheering crowds. In his first speech as prime minister, Starmer paid tribute to the previous prime minister Rishi Sunak, saying "His achievement as the first British Asian Prime Minister of our country should not be underestimated by anyone," and also recognised "the dedication and hard work he brought to his leadership" but said that the people of Britain had voted for change:[21][19]
You have given us a clear mandate, and we will use it to deliver change. To restore service and respect to politics, end the era of noisy performance, tread more lightly on your lives, and unite our country. Four nations, standing together again, facing down, as we have so often in our past, the challenges of an insecure world. Committed to a calm and patient rebuilding. So with respect and humility, I invite you all to join this government of service in the mission of national renewal. Our work is urgent and we begin it today.
The new office of Border Security Commander was also established, whose remit would be to lead the new command and its members, with the government expecting the appointment of the first officeholder to be made in the coming weeks.[29][30] A team in the Home Office was tasked with setting out the remit of the command, as well as its governance structure and its strategic direction.[29][31]
Starmer strongly favours green policies to tackle climate change and decarbonise the British economy. He has committed to eliminate fossil fuels from the UK electricity grid by 2030.[32] In 2021, Starmer and Rachel Reeves pledged that a Labour government would invest an extra £28 billion a year in green industries; in June 2023 this was changed to £28 billion per year by the middle of their first term of government.[33]
Since 2022, Reeves has adhered to "modern supply-side economics", an economic policy which focuses on infrastructure, education and labour supply by rejecting tax cuts and deregulation.[34][35] In May 2023, Reeves coined the term "securonomics" to refer to her version of this economic policy, originally in a public address at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.[36][37] It is heavily inspired by US president Joe Biden's economic policy, particularly his Inflation Reduction Act.[38][39]
Securonomics is based on the belief that globalisation has failed to achieve its stated aims and that economies in the Western world must adapt in response.[40] It would involve a productivist "active state"[37] taking a more active role in managing the free-market economy, boosting production and drawing up industrial policy, stronger supply chains, and more economic cooperation with international allies with similar economic goals.[36][38] Reeves believes that the active state is part of an "emerging global consensus" led by Biden's administration which will replace the neoliberal economic consensus, and that economic policy must be driven by the need for security.[36][41]
On taking office as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Reeves stated that since there is "not a huge amount of money" her focus will be on "unlocking" private-sector investment, as she believes "private-sector investment is the lifeblood of a successful economy."[42][43][44] She made her first statement as Chancellor two days later, announcing measures to grow the economy. On 29 July 2024, Reeves conducted a spending review, arguing there was a need to make "necessary and urgent decisions" because of an "unfunded" and "undisclosed" overspending of £21.9bn by the previous Conservative government. Among the decisions she made were to axe winter fuel payments for pensioners not receiving pension credit (roughly around 10 million people), announcing the cancellation of several infrastructure projects, and selling surplus public sector buildings and land.[45] Reeves also announced her first budget would be released on 30 October 2024.[46]
Early release of prisoners
Shortly after taking office, Starmer said that there were "too many prisoners",[47] and described the previous government as having acted with "almost beyond recklessness".[48] In order to manage the prison overcrowding, his Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, announced the implementation of an early release scheme which allowed for prisoners in England and Wales to be released after serving 40% of their sentences rather than the 50% previously introduced under the last government.[49] Over 1,700 prisoners were released in September, with further releases expected in the following year.[50] One prisoner released early under the scheme was charged with sexual assault relating to an alleged offence against a woman on the same day he was freed.[51] Starmer has defended the releasing of prisoners, and accused the previous government of having "broke the prison system."[52]
State Opening of Parliament
The 2024 State Opening of Parliament outlined 39 pieces of legislation that Labour proposed to introduced in the months ahead, including bills to renationalise the railways, to strengthen the rights of workers, tackle illegal immigration, reform the House of Lords, and undertake a programme to speed up the delivery of "high quality infrastructure" and housing. In addition, a number of bills proposed by Sunak's Conservative administration were also included, notably the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which had appeared in the 2023 King's Speech, but had been abandoned after the election was called.[53][54]
The National Wealth Fund Bill establishing a £7.3bn fund to be invested over five years in infrastructure and green industry.[54]
The Water (Special Measures) Bill giving the water regulator Ofwat greater powers to prevent water company bosses from receiving bonuses, and to make water company bosses liable for any illegal activity.[54]
The Crime and Policing Bill to give police greater powers to deal with antisocial behaviour. The bill will also make assaulting retail workers a specific offence.[54]
The Children's Wellbeing Bill requiring local authorities to keep a register of children not in full time education at school, and establish breakfast clubs for all primary schools in England.[54]
The Skills England Bill to establish a public body to improve and devolve skills training.[54]
The Conversion Practices Bill restricting "abusive" practices designed to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.[54]
A bill to establish an Armed Forces Commissioner with powers to inspect faulty kit and equipment.[54]
Skills England is a new government agency that will be created by the Skills England Bill. The agency will increase flexibility within the skills training area, to properly cater for skills shortages within regional economies, and to ensure the UK trains its own workforce.[59] Starmer launched a Child Poverty Taskforce, in which expert officials from across government would work together on how best to support more than four-million children living in poverty.[60]
Suspension of rebel Labour MPs
Starmer and Reeves have refused to scrap the benefit cap introduced by the Cameron–Clegg coalition, citing financial reasons.[61][62][63] The cap was introduced in 2013 as part of the coalition government's wide-reaching welfare reform agenda which included the introduction of Universal Credit and reforms of housing benefit and disability benefits.[64] The government cited wide public support for the measure, despite it being highly controversial.[65] The benefit cap primarily affects families with children, high rents, or both.[66] By 2024, the year Starmer and Reeves entered government, two-thirds of the families affected by the cap were single-parent families, half of which had a child under five.[67]
Reeves said that she would not make an "unfunded" pledge, and cited Labour's proposals for the creation of more nurseries and free breakfast clubs at all primary schools as evidence of Labour's commitment to tackling the issue; stating that they would have a "material impact" on child poverty.[68][69] On 23 July 2024, Labour withdrew the whip from 7 of its MPs who had supported an amendment tabled by the Scottish National Party (SNP)'s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn to scrap it, with Flynn claiming that scrapping the cap would immediately raise 300,000 children out of poverty.. MPs rejected the SNP amendment by 363 votes to 103.[70] The seven Labour MPs suspended for six months were John McDonnell, Richard Burgon, Ian Byrne, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Imran Hussain, Apsana Begum and Zarah Sultana, all of whom now sit as independents. Starmer launched a Child Poverty Taskforce, in which expert officials from across government would work together on how best to support more than four-million children living in poverty.[71]
On 29 July 2024, a mass stabbing occurred at a dance studio in Southport. Three children were killed, and ten other people – eight of whom were children – were injured. Axel Rudakubana, a 17-year-old male, was arrested at the scene, and has been charged with three counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. The attack took place at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop. Since late July, protesters including those on the far-right have rioted in various parts of the country in response to the stabbings.
Starmer described the stabbing as horrendous and shocking and thanked emergency services for their swift response.[72] He visited Southport and laid flowers at the scene, where he was heckled by some members of the public.[73] Starmer later wrote amid the riots that those who had "hijacked the vigil for the victims" had "insulted the community as it grieves" and that rioters would feel the full force of the law.[74] On 1 August, and following a meeting with senior police officers, Starmer announced the establishment of a national violent disorder programme to facilitate greater cooperation between police forces when dealing with violent disorder.[75] On 4 August, Starmer said that rioters "will feel the full force of the law" and told them "You will regret taking part in this, whether directly or those whipping up this action online and then running away themselves". He added "I won't shy away from calling it what it is – far-right thuggery".[76][77] Starmer later called an emergency response meeting of Cobra.[78] After the COBRA meeting he announced the establishment of a "standing army" of specialist police officers to address the ongoing violence, and help bring it to an end.[79]
Starmer has faced criticism for his response to the riots, including by Twitter owner Elon Musk, for not condemning all sides and only focusing on the far-right.[80] Musk had tweeted that "Civil war is inevitable", his comments were condemned by Starmer's official spokesman.[81][82] Musk went on to refer to the Prime Minister as "two-tier Keir" and ask, "Why aren't all communities protected in Britain?", and called government "wokestasi".[83][84][85]. Starmer has rejected calls from some politicians, including Nigel Farage and Priti Patel, to recall the Westminster parliament.[86] Farage condemned the violence, stating: "The levels of intimidation and threat to life have no place in a functioning democracy". He called for Parliament to be recalled over the riots and suggested there was a widespread impression of "two-tier policing" as a result of "soft policing" during Black Lives Matter protests, which he said contributed to a "sense of injustice".[87] Patel called Farage's comments deeply misleading and "simply not relevant right now". She told Times Radio: "There's a clear difference between effectively blocking streets or roads being closed to burning down libraries, hotels, food banks and attacking places of worship. What we have seen is thuggery, violence, racism." Patel also wrote to the Prime Minister and Home Secretary, asking them to recall parliament.[88]
In September 2024, Starmer faced accusations of breaking parliamentary rules by not declaring clothes bought for his wife by Labour donor Lord Alli.[89] The donations were said to have occurred both before and after the general election. Starmer later approached parliamentary authorities to make a late declaration following updated advice on what needed to be disclosed. Although Starmer initially believed he had complied with the rules, he subsequently registered more items. The Conservative Party called for a full investigation.[90] The same month, Sky News reported that Starmer had received £107,145 in gifts, benefits, and hospitality since December 2019.[91] Starmer admitted to accepting a £20,437 donation from Lord Alli between May and July 2024, confirming that the sum was for somewhere his son could study peacefully for his GCSEs.[92]
Parliamentary business
Following the general election, chairs and member of select committees are yet to be appointed.[93] The House of Commons allocated which parties would hold each Chair in advance of the summer recess on 30 July 2024.[94] Nominations for Chairs and memberships will run until 9 September, with ballots taking place on 11 September.[95]
The first foreign meeting that Starmer attended as prime minister was the 2024 NATO summit.[96][97] On the flight to the summit, he laid out a "cast iron" commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, following a "root and branch" review of the UK's defences.[98][99] In July 2024, Starmer and US President Joe Biden discussed their shared commitment to the Special Relationship and mutual support of Ukraine. Biden also congratulated Starmer on "a hell of a victory".[100] Following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, Starmer tweeted "Political violence in any form has no place in our societies" and offered Donald Trump and his family his best wishes.[101]
At the 2024 NATO summit, Starmer signaled that Ukraine could use Britain's Storm Shadow missile donations to strike military targets inside Russia.[102] In a meeting with Zelensky, Starmer called for an "irreversible" membership strategy for Ukraine to joinNATO.[103]
In July 2024, Starmer told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the UK would continue its "vital cooperation to deter malign threats" with Israel.[104]
Ellie Reeves (Deputy National Campaign Coordinator) was a member of Shadow Cabinet in her previous role that has no government counterpart, and was appointed to succeed Dodds' role as party chair and Minister without Portfolio outside Cabinet.
Starmer has made five international trips to three countries during his premiership. As of the 6th of September 2024, the number of visits per country where Starmer travelled are:
^Kennedy, Steven; Wilson, Wendy; Apostolova, Vyara; Keen, Richard (21 November 2016). The Benefit Cap (Report). House of Commons Library. pp. 3, 8–9, 14. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
^The figure does not include Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of the House of Commons, who was included in the Labour seat total by some media outlets. By longstanding convention, the speaker severs all ties to their affiliated party upon being elected speaker.