KEIRS TO No10
Britain is open for business, Sir Keir Starmer will declare as he launches policies in boost for the economy
Sir Keir and Lady Starmer were greeted by delighted supporters as they walked into Downing Street
JUBILANT Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria walked into their new home at No 10 for the first time yesterday — after promising to tear up planning regulations and rebuild Britain.
The triumphant Labour leader entered Downing Street after making a seven-minute address to the nation.
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He will declare Britain open for business with a bonfire of planning regulations and a global investment drive to rebuild the nation.
And he will launch his premiership with an international diplomacy push next week and a plea to business to back UK Plc.
It will come ahead a series of policies in Labour’s first King’s Speech on July 17 — all aimed at kick-starting growth, in a bid to avoid painful spending cuts.
But Sir Keir will first hit the world stage at Nato next Tuesday before hosting all European leaders in Britain for a major summit the following week.
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Labour’s plan to “hit the ground running” will be heavily focused on the planning system, which is seen as being vital to building more homes.
Sir Keir and Lady Starmer were greeted by delighted supporters as they walked into Downing Street following Labour’s landslide victory at the polls.
The couple were both seen embracing Victoria’s dad Bernard Alexander as they entered their new home.
Sir Keir used his speech in Downing Street yesterday to vow to get Brits on to the housing ladder for a better start in life. He promised that the infrastructure of the country will be built “brick by brick” as young people look for homes they can afford.
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Outlining his vision, he said getting on the property ladder is part of the “ingredients for hope” of working people like himself.
The proposals were backed up by his new Chancellor Rachel Reeves — the first female to hold the position — in the early hours of yesterday.
Starmer’s wife Lady Victoria went from asking ‘who the f*** does he think he is’ to incoming PM’s right-hand woman
She said: “We sought a mandate at this election to grow the economy, and that is what we’re going to get started on doing.
“Reform of our planning system is clearly essential to build the housing we need, the transport infrastructure, the energy infrastructure.”
Ms Reeves set herself a high bar for office, telling officials: “I will judge my time in office a success if I know that, at the end of it, there are working-class kids from ordinary backgrounds living richer lives, their horizons expanded, and their potential realised.”
The new PM will also use his role to strengthen the Union as he embarks on a visit to the four home nations in the coming days.
This is set to include a trip to Scotland to outline his domestic policy priorities.
The timing of the election result will play into Sir Keir’s hands as he is thrust onto the world stage within days — heading to the Nato summit in Washington DC.
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It will be the first chance to formally unveil the new PM and meet leaders such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the event.
The meeting should also allow him to hold talks with US President Joe Biden and the trip would provide an opportunity to visit the White House.
After his return to Britain later this week, attention will turn to the King’s Speech on July 17, which will feature the Government’s legislative programme.
Measures included will be to bolster house-building, workers’ rights, legislation to nationalise the railways and establish the state-owned GB Energy in a push for more home-grown clean power, including off-shore wind.
Then, the following day, he will host the European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace, in Oxfordshire.
Fifty leaders from across the continent will come together to try to deal with the challenge of the Ukraine war and illegal migration routes.
We sought a mandate at this election to grow the economy and that is what we’re going to do
New Chancellor Rachel Reeves
Sir Keir will hold his first Cabinet meeting today, where he will outline his vision about his mission for national renewal.
The Labour leader formally knew he was going to be the next PM when Rishi Sunak made a telephone call to concede defeat.
It is understood they had a short and respectful conversation as Sir Keir sat in the back of his chauffeur-driven Range Rover.
He was then ushered into the Tate Modern on the south bank of the River Thames before heading to Downing Street.
Yesterday, the new PM made Partygate inquisitor Sue Gray his Chief of Staff and election chief Morgan McSweeney his Director of Strategy.
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He took congratulatory phone calls from world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, who said: “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.”
Ukraine’s Mr Zelensky described the UK as “reliable allies through thick and thin” wishing the incoming government “every success”.
PM's top priorities
By Jack Elsom
SIR Keir Starmer will have to hit the ground running because he will inherit an in-tray from hell.
Here are some of the immediate challenges the new PM will face.
NHS STRIKES: Junior doctors are still in dispute with the Government and have threatened to keep striking;
GLOBAL CONFLICT: The twin crises of Ukraine and the Middle East demand robust Western responses;
SLUGGISH GROWTH: Labour has pinned many of its plans on growth, which has been slow in recent years;
SMALL BOATS: Summer will see more Channel migrants who are currently crossing at a record rate;
LEGAL MIGRATION: Net migration has been running at massive levels for years, heaping strain on public services;
HIGH ENERGY BILLS: These are still clobbering many families, who Sir Keir has vowed to help;
CRIME EPIDEMIC: Shoplifting is now rife, while knife crime on our streets is out of control;
SWAMPED PRISONS: The country’s jails are so packed that they are close to breaking point;
DENTIST DESERTS: Dental services are so stretched many places are not accepting new NHS patients;
HOUSING CRISIS: A lack of homes means getting on the property ladder is a pipe dream for many.