King Charles appoints Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister after Labour's landslide victory
King Charles has appointed Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace.
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King Charles has appointed Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace.
The monarch has asked the Labour Party leader to form an administration after his party secured 412 seats in the general election.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “The King received in Audience The Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer MP today and requested him to form a new Administration.
"Sir Keir accepted His Majesty’s offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury."
King Charles has appointed Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister at Buckingham Palace.
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The monarch has asked the Labour Party leader to form an administration after his party secured 412 seats in the general election.
PA
The Labour leader was accompanied by his wife Victoria at Buckingham Palace.
The couple were greeted at the King’s door by Sir Clive Alderton, principal private secretary to the King and Queen, and the King’s equerry Commander William Thornton, Royal Navy.
Sir Keir was driven to Downing Street following his meeting with the King and gave his first public statement as Prime Minister.
He said during his speech outside Downing Street: "Our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and a return of politics to public service.
Sir Keir will be driven to Downing Street following his meeting with the King to give his first public statement as Prime Minister.
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The Labour leader was accompanied by his wife Victoria at Buckingham Palace.
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"When the gap between the sacrifices made by people and the service they receive from politicians grows this big, it leads to a weariness in the heart of a nation, a draining away of the hope, the spirit, the belief in a better future.
"But we need to move forward together. Now this wound, this lack of trust can only be healed by actions not words, I know that.
"But we can make a start today with the simple acknowledgement that public service is a privilege and that your government should treat every single person in this country with respect."
Forming a Government and opening a new session of Parliament will not happen immediately with the King’s Speech set for July 17.
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Many in the crowd looked to be in a celebratory mood and could be seen holding umbrellas decorated with the Union flag on top.
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A large group gathered to the right-hand side of 10 Downing Street ahead of the Labour leader's arrival.
Many in the crowd looked to be in a celebratory mood and could be seen holding umbrellas decorated with the Union flag on top.
The King met with Rishi Sunak earlier today to accept his resignation.
A statement from Buckingham Palace confirming Sunak's resignation said: "The Right Honourable Rishi Sunak MP had an Audience of The King this morning and tendered his resignation as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, which His Majesty was graciously pleased to accept."