Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference after his first Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street. Alamy Stock Photo

Keir Starmer to visit Northern Ireland as he holds first cabinet meeting as UK prime minister

Labour won a landslide victory in the UK general election, with the Tories suffering their worst defeat in history.

NEWLY-ELECTED BRITISH Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK’s Rwanda Bill is “dead and buried” and confirmed he will visit Northern Ireland as part of a whistle-stop tour from tomorrow.

Starmer took questions from journalists in Number 10 on his first full day in Downing Street, after chairing his first cabinet meeting this morning. 

Speaking during the press conference, he said that work on the change promised after the election “has already begun”.

“This will be a government that governs for everybody, whether they voted for us or not. The politics of self-interest has come to an end,” he said.

Starmer recommitted to campaign promises including the provision of an extra 40,000 NHS appointments per week, campaigns to fights recidivism – reoffending by people released from prison – and commitment to Ukraine.

He also confirmed that his government would be scrapping the previous government’s controversial Rwanda scheme, calling it a “gimmick” which was “dead and buried before it started”.

“It has never acted as a deterrent… It’s had the complete opposite effect and I’m not prepared to continue with gimmicks that don’t act as a deterrent.”

prime-minister-sir-keir-starmer-speaks-during-a-press-conference-after-his-first-cabinet-meeting-at-10-downing-street-london-following-the-landslide-general-election-victory-for-the-labour-party-pi UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference after his first Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

However, he did not make any comment on whether he would be following through on his party’s commitment to repeal the controversial Northern Ireland Legacy Act, which a High Court ruling in Befast argued would exacerbate rather than facilitate reconciliation in the region.

He set out plans to travel on Sunday to Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, before returning to England, during which time he would meet First Ministers and “establish a way of working across the United Kingdom that will be different and better to the way of working that we’ve had in recent years and to recognise the contributions of all four nations”.

Starmer told his top team at cabinet that it had been “the honour and the privilege of my life” to be invited by Britain’s King Charles to form a government after Labour swept to an historic victory at the polls.

In brief remarks at the top of the meeting, he told ministers: “We have a huge amount of work to do, so now we get on with our work.”

Starmer appointed his cabinet on Friday and spoke with international leaders, including Taoiseach Simon Harris and US President Joe Biden. 

Shortly after arriving in Number 10, the new Prime Minister began appointing his Cabinet. He confirmed Rachel Reeves as Britain’s first woman chancellor, Yvette Cooper as Home Secretary and David Lammy as Foreign Secretary.

Angela Rayner officially became his Deputy Prime Minister and retained the levelling up, housing and communities brief.

Hilary Benn, who served as Shadow minister for Labour since last September, was appointed as the Northern Ireland Secretary.

britains-prime-minister-keir-starmer-center-with-deputy-prime-minister-angela-rayner-center-right-hosts-his-first-cabinet-meeting-at-10-downing-street-london-saturday-july-6-2024-following-th Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts his first Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street following the General Election victory. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

After 649 of the 650 Commons seats had been declared, Labour had a majority of 176.

Labour had 412 seats and the Tories 121, the worst result in the Conservative Party’s history.

The Liberal Democrats won 71 seats, while Reform netted five.

A recount in the last seat left to declare: Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire; will not start until 10.30am this morning, delaying the final result of the general election.

In his first speech on Downing Street yesterday, Starmer said the British people had voted “decisively for change”.

He said the country could “move forward together” as Labour took office following 14 years of Conservative rule.

Pat McFadden, who played a central role in shaping Labour’s election campaign, confirmed on BBC Radio 4 that the new Cabinet would meet today.

He said high on Starmer’s agenda will be the six first steps Labour has set out: delivering economic stability, cutting NHS waiting times, launching a new border security command, setting up Great British Energy, cracking down on anti-social behaviour, and recruiting 6,500 new teachers.

Just days after his appointment, Starmer will be propelled onto the international stage, jetting to Washington DC for the Nato leaders’ summit, where discussions will include support for Ukraine.

He is also due to host the European Political Community summit in the UK on 18 July.

Taoiseach to visit No 10

Starmer held his first phone call with Taoiseach Simon Harris yesterday, with the two leaders agreeing that a closer relationship is “needed” between Dublin and London.

On Northern Ireland, the pair welcomed the restoration of Stormont and power-sharing, as well as legacy issues, and Harris welcomed the appointment of Hilary Benn as Northern Ireland Secretary.

Starmer also invited Harris to meet him in 10 Downing Street on 17 July, which the Taoiseach accepted.

The Prime Minister spoke to US President Joe Biden and discussed their commitment to the special relationship between the UK and US, protecting the gains of the Good Friday Agreement and support for Ukraine.

Starmer also spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and reassured him of the “unwavering commitment” and said the UK would continue supplying defensive support.

He had calls with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Scottish First Minister John Swinney.

Tory leadership

Meanwhile, Suella Braverman has said she had “no announcements” about the race to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader after the crushing election defeat to Labour.

Braverman is expected to throw her hat into the ring in what could be an acrimonious contest which could shape the party for years to come as right-wingers and more centrist Tories battle it out.

Asked whether she would be the next party leader, Braverman told broadcasters outside her home this morning: “No announcements. We’ve just got to take our time, we’ve got to figure out what the situation is.”

The former home secretary continued: “It’s been a really bad result. There’s no two ways about it. Hundreds of excellent Tory MPs have been kicked out of office.”

Braverman was elected as MP in the redrawn constituency of Fareham and Waterlooville with a 6,000 majority.

The former cabinet minister is seen as a strong contender in the leadership contest after many potential rivals lost their seats in the Tory bloodbath.

It has been reported by some UK media this morning that former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has ruled himself out of the leadership race.

Contains reporting from Press Association

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
34 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dan Danny
    Favourite Dan Danny
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 7:18 AM

    Ya dress up your pet with the cute outfit from Amazon or alibaba and get loads of likes on insta…”Soooooo cute xxx” don’t forgot Xmas outfit too

    88
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Margaret Ryan
    Favourite Margaret Ryan
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 11:25 AM

    @Dan Danny: hah

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy Short
    Favourite Paddy Short
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 12:30 PM

    Between what they already know about you via the wealth of information that your “smartphone” provides, your internet history, your credit/debit card spending habits, your Tesco Clubcard, the final nail in the coffin will be the European Digital Currency. With that they will know exactly what makes individuals and communities tick and how to best manipulate them. Gone will be the concept of the individual, everything will be reduced to the data. I for one will never spend a single cent of European Digital Currency on principle but it will be up to the younger generation coming through on whether they are happy to be “barcoded” and reduced down to a mere set of digits instead of a human being. Be warned, if you have fears of this system, once implemented, there will be no going back.

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DJ Bermo
    Favourite DJ Bermo
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 3:25 PM

    @Paddy Short: Oh, ffs, stick to the topic, and if you’re lucky enough to own a dog, get some fresh air by taking it for a walk.

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute
    Favourite
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 11:53 AM

    How about you don’t let off fireworks for two weeks before and two weeks after Halloween, like a scuzzy bucket

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marie B
    Favourite Marie B
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 8:52 AM

    Lol. Look at the image for the daily pole article.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marie B
    Favourite Marie B
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 12:01 PM

    @Marie B: btw gone now. it was a dog with a white ghost costume over its head

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JoeJoe Kilbride
    Favourite JoeJoe Kilbride
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 12:27 PM

    @Marie B: what’s a daily pole?

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pato
    Favourite Pato
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 7:27 AM

    Why is there so much rubbish about dogs and don’t get me started on cats!

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Finch
    Favourite Chris Finch
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 7:55 AM

    @Pato: Ah go on, tell us a small bit about your contempt for cats on this Bank Holiday Monday morning.

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Clare Power
    Favourite Clare Power
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 10:16 AM

    @Pato: judging by previous comments yr a women hater, now yr telling us u don’t like animals…wot a bad seed you are!

    31
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute
    Favourite
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 11:53 AM

    @Pato: where did the furries hurt you?

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute J M
    Favourite J M
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 1:03 PM

    To much molly coddling, not saying they don’t get a bit worked up. But not as much as the owners do and certain groups. No different than thunder and lightning.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute
    Favourite
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 7:33 AM

    .

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Athena
    Favourite Athena
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 6:39 PM

    What about stop mammy-ing and baby-ing your dogs and expose them to noise and unusual sounds throughout the year?
    I have yet to see a gun dog panicking over fireworks.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Mongan
    Favourite Martin Mongan
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 11:25 PM

    @Athena: wait are you saying that a dog breed specifically for hunting and being around gun shots isn’t put off by loud noises?!? Well colour me shocked

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ham Hat
    Favourite Ham Hat
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 8:49 AM

    Let Aleeexpress make some money, Yank dude

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Moloney
    Favourite Paul Moloney
    Report
    Oct 30th 2023, 11:06 AM

    If that’s what you are in to do enjoy your self if you’re a bit of a dressing up to

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jon Jon
    Favourite Jon Jon
    Report
    Oct 31st 2023, 11:48 AM

    My dog loves dressing up as Kiss from sting , he’s not a good boy

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds