Replay: Starmer vows to 'rebuild Britain' in his first speech as UK PM
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00:00Thank you. Good afternoon. I have just returned from Buckingham Palace where I accepted an
00:11invitation from His Majesty the King to form the next government of this great nation.
00:25I want to thank the outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. His achievement as the first
00:32British Asian Prime Minister of our country. The extra effort that that will have required
00:40should not be underestimated by anyone. We pay tribute to that today. And we also recognise
00:50the dedication and hard work he brought to his leadership. But now our country has voted
00:59decisively for change, for national renewal and a return of politics to public service.
01:11When the gap between the sacrifices made by people and the service they receive from politicians
01:18grows this big, it leads to a weariness in the heart of a nation. A draining away of
01:27the hope, the spirit, the belief in a better future. That we need to move forward together.
01:39Now this wound, this lack of trust can only be healed by actions, not words. I know that.
01:52But we can make a start today with the simple acknowledgement that public service is a privilege
02:01and that your government should treat every single person in this country with respect.
02:11If you voted Labour yesterday, we will carry the responsibility of your trust as we rebuild
02:17our country. But whether you voted Labour or not, in fact, especially if you did not,
02:27I say to you directly, my government will serve you. Politics can be a force for good.
02:38We will show that. We've changed the Labour Party, returned it to service and that is
02:45how we will govern. Country first, party second. Yet if I'm honest, service is merely a precondition
02:55of hope and it is surely clear to everyone that our country needs a bigger reset, a rediscovery
03:05of who we are. Because no matter how fierce the storms of history, one of the great strengths
03:12of this nation has always been our ability to navigate a way to calmer waters. And yet
03:21this depends upon politicians, particularly those who stand for stability and moderation,
03:29as I do. Recognising when we must change course. For too long now, we've turned a blind eye
03:37as millions slid into greater insecurity. Nurses, builders, drivers, carers, people doing
03:45the right thing, working harder every day. Recognised at moments like this before, yet
03:54as soon as the cameras stop rolling, their lives are ignored. I want to say very clearly
04:03to those people, not this time. Changing a country is not like flicking a switch. The
04:11world is now a more volatile place. This will take a while. But have no doubt that the work
04:19of change begins immediately. Have no doubt that we will rebuild Britain with wealth created
04:28in every community. Our NHS back on its feet facing the future. Secure borders, safer streets,
04:36untreated, with dignity and respect at work. The opportunity of clean British power cutting
04:44your energy bills for good. And brick by brick, we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity.
04:54The world class schools and colleges, the affordable homes that I know are the ingredients
05:00of hope for working people. The security that working class families like mine can
05:07build their lives around. Because if I asked you now whether you believe that Britain will
05:18be better for your children, I know too many of you would say no. And so my government
05:28will fight every day until you believe again. From now on, you have a government unburdened
05:36by doctrine, guided only by the determination to serve your interest, to defy quietly those
05:45who have written our country off. You have given us a clear mandate and we will use it
05:52to deliver change, to restore service and respect to politics, end the era of noisy
05:59performance, tread more lightly on your lives and unite our country. Four nations standing
06:09together again, facing down, as we have so often in our past, the challenges of an insecure
06:17world committed to a calm and patient rebuilding. So with respect and humility, I invite you
06:30all to join this government of service in the mission of national renewal. Our work
06:39is urgent and we begin it today. Thank you very much.