Starmer delivers first speech as PM, vows to rebuild UK's infrastructure 'brick by brick'

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Starmer giving his first speech at Downing Street. Photo: Reuters

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

New UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer delivered his first speech at 10 Downing Street on Friday, vowing to rebuild the country’s infrastructure brick by brick.

According to the BBC, citing the need for schools and affordable homes, Starmer vowed to “rebuild” the country’s “infrastructure of opportunity”, doing so “brick by brick”

Starmer said “changing a country is not like flicking a switch” as he acknowledged the world “is more volatile”.

“It will take a while,” he added, but said work to change the country would begin immediately.

He then talked about wealth creation, getting the NHS back on its feet “facing the future” and securing the UK borders.

The new PM also talked about the need to reset the country, saying one of the strengths of the nation had been its ability to navigate to “calmer water” – but said this depended on politicians.

Starmer added that his government would serve everybody irrespective of how they voted.

“Whether you voted Labour or not – in fact especially if you did not – I say to you directly, my government will serve you. Politics can be a force for good. We will show that.

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“We have changed the Labour Party, returned it to service – that is how we will govern. Country first, party second,” he stated.

Starmer stated that the lack of trust could only be healed by actions and not words, saying “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 a simple acknowledgement that public service is a privilege and your government should treat every single person in the country with respect.”

Starmer delivers first speech as PM, vows to rebuild UK's infrastructure 'brick by brick'
UK PM, Keir Starmer. Photo: POOL

He admitted that there is weariness in the nation,

Starmer continues by signalling a new era, stressing that “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.”

He said the country had voted decisively for change and a return of politics to public service but he acknowledged the achievement of former PM Rishi Sunak.

Starmer completed his speech by saying that the four nations of the UK were standing together again facing down as “we have in the past the challenges of an insecure world.”

He said his his government was committed to a “calm and patient rebuilding.”

“With respect and humility, I invite you all to join this govt of service in the mission of national renewal. Our work is urgent and we begin it today.”

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