In the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer's new Labor government takes power

The Labor Party takes power in the United Kingdom on Saturday, after its victory in Thursday's legislative elections and the appointment of the government of new Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

On Friday, this 61-year-old former lawyer, specializing in the defense of human rights, was officially charged by King Charles III with forming a new government, ratifying the political turning point that occurred after voters ousted the conservatives who had remained in power for 14 years. head of the country.

Labor won 412 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons (one result is still missing), a score close to that of Tony Blair in 1997. , and now has a very large majority to govern and “restore” and “unify” the United Kingdom, as Keir Starmer promised when entering 10 Downing Street.

During the campaign, the now Prime Minister, who entered politics only nine years ago, promised the return of “stability” and “seriousness”, with very rigorous management of public expenditure.

And show its priorities: restart growth, repair public services, reduce immigration and bring the United Kingdom closer to the European Union – without returning to Brexit.

The work to be carried out is “urgent”, assured Keir Starmer, auguring rapid announcements of first measures, particularly in terms of housing.

A cabinet meeting , which brings together the main ministers, could take place as early as this Saturday.

On Friday, Keir Starmer began to appoint the members of his government in the image of the change that he insisted on wanting for his country, insisting on the return of a sense of “service” after the scandals that marred the last conservative governments.

Deputy Prime Minister for Housing Angela Rayner leaves 10 Downing Street, July 5, 2024 © AFP – Paul ELLIS

Keir Starmer chose as Deputy Prime Minister for Housing Angela Rayner, whose atypical personality – she comes from a very disadvantaged background and did not study – embodies the wing left of a Labor party largely refocused on economic matters since he took charge in 2020.

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In the very prestigious post of Minister of Finance, former Bank of England economist Rachel Reeves is very popular in business circles. She becomes the first woman to hold this post in the United Kingdom.

David Lammy, from an immigrant family from Guyana, becomes the head of British diplomacy. In his first speech on Friday, he reiterated London's support for the establishment of an “immediate ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip.

This weekend, Keir Starmer still has to finish putting together his government, traditionally made up of a plethora of state secretaries.

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He is also expected to hold talks with other foreign heads of state and government, following an exchange on Friday with French President Emmanuel Macron.

His victory was widely welcomed in Europe and beyond: German Chancellor Olaf Sholz said he would make “a very good Prime Minister” and Joe Biden was delighted to work on “strengthening the special relationship” between the United States and the United Kingdom.

In the first telephone exchange he had with the American president, Keir Starmer assured him of British support ” unshakable” to Ukraine.

Starting next week, he will take his first steps on the international scene with the summit marking NATO's 75th anniversary in Washington.

Right, Finance Minister and former Bank of England economist Rachel Reeves in Stevenage, north London, May 28, 2024 © AFP – JUSTIN TALLIS

But Labour's triumph is not without its rough edges. His supermajority was obtained by gathering fewer votes than at the time of his defeat in 2019 and, in a split ballot, only one in three voters chose him.

Parliament appears completely reshuffled.

Severely beaten, the conservatives lost 251 seats, retaining only 121 MPs, and a new delicate phase begins for them.

The now ex-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that he would soon resign from his post as leader of the Conservative Party, while the succession process is organized.

The Liberal Democrats (centrists) once again become the third force, with 71 seats, a record, and the Scottish separatists from SNP fell 48 to nine.

A real political shock, the surge of the anti-immigration and anti-system Reform UK party, led by hard-right figure Nigel Farage. Although it only enters Parliament with five deputies, this party has attracted more than 14% of voters.

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