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Starmer begins his tour of the UK in Edinburgh, while further ministers are announced following the new cabinet formation – live

Starmer begins his tour of the UK in Edinburgh, while further ministers are announced following the new cabinet formation – live

Keir Starmer delivers his first speech as Prime Minister after the Labour Party’s landslide victory

Sir Keir Starmer will begin his tour of the UK in Edinburgh on Sunday, appointing further ministers for his cabinet.

On his third day as Prime Minister, Sir Keir has made it his top priority to seek an “immediate reset” of relations between Westminster and the devolved nations.

His first visit will be to Scotland, where he will meet First Minister John Swinney to try to turn “differences of opinion into cooperation” with the SNP.

Sir Keir’s whirlwind tour of the four countries comes ahead of his jam-packed first week in office, leaving him little time to settle into 10 Downing Street as he prepares to depart for the NATO summit in Washington on Tuesday.

He began his first full day as Prime Minister by chairing the first Cabinet meeting of a Labour government in 14 years.

In addition to his host of appointments, he also gave junior ministerial posts to two former Cabinet ministers – both of whom served under Tony Blair.

Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will move to the House of Lords to become Minister for Higher Education, while Douglas Alexander, who held several cabinet posts in the last Labour government, will now be Business Secretary.

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Watch: Keir Starmer takes a call from Joe Biden after winning the general election

Watch: Keir Starmer takes a call from Joe Biden after winning the general election

Downing Street has released video footage of the moment Sir Keir Starmer speaks to US President Joe Biden following Labour’s general election victory. In the phone call, which took place on Friday (July 5), the new Prime Minister spoke to Mr Biden, who congratulated him on “a damn good win”. Mr Starmer responds: “Thank you, Mr President. It’s been a long night and a long day and I’ve been busy appointing my Cabinet.” The two leaders also spoke of their shared commitment to the “special relationship” between the UK and the US. Mr Starmer said: “This is the bedrock of our defence, our security and our prosperity.”

Salma OuaguiraJuly 7, 2024 08:21

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Mordaunt and Shapps are among 11 ministers to lose their seats as leading Tories are sacked

Athena StavrouJuly 7, 2024 08:15

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Prime Minister calls for ‘immediate rebalancing’ of relations with devolved nations on UK tour

The Prime Minister said he was seeking an “immediate reset” of relations between the Westminster government and the devolved nations as he embarks on a tour of all four corners of the UK.

Sir Keir Starmer stressed that “respect” would be key to the bond between the new British government and its Irish, Scottish and Welsh counterparts.

His first visit will be to Edinburgh on Sunday, where the Prime Minister will say he wants to “transform differences of opinion into cooperation with the SNP north of the border”.

“People across the United Kingdom are united by shared beliefs. Fundamental values ​​of respect, service and community define us as a great nation,” Sir Keir said.

“That starts today with an immediate reset of my Government’s approach in working with the First Minister and his deputies, because meaningful, respectful cooperation will be key to delivering change across our whole United Kingdom.

“Together, we can begin to rebuild our country with a renewed determination to serve working people.”

Athena StavrouJuly 7, 2024 08:00

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Tony Blair continues to text Starmer with advice

Jane DaltonJuly 7, 2024 07:45

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Farage is just 364,474 votes away from becoming opposition leader, analysis shows

Salma OuaguiraJuly 7, 2024 07:30

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Michael Heseltine: In addition to credibility in opposition, the Tories must do three things to survive

After the historic defeat to Labour, former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine explains what the Conservative Party must do to make a comeback.

Salma OuaguiraJuly 7, 2024 07:00

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This is what Labour should do in the first 100 days

“It all starts here,” Keir Starmer told voters – but which of the country’s many crises will he tackle first? Sean O’Grady takes a look at what to expect from the new Labour government.

This is what Labour should do in the first 100 days

Keir Starmer told voters: ‘It all starts here’ – but which of the country’s many crises will he tackle first? Sean O’Grady takes a look at what to expect from the new Labour government

Salma OuaguiraJuly 7, 2024 06:30

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Meet the oldest and youngest MPs currently sitting in the House of Commons

Salma OuaguiraJuly 7, 2024 06:00

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Full list of previous cabinet appointments

Newly appointed ministers discuss the government’s next steps with Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street. This is what the entire cabinet team looks like:

  • Angela Rayner – Levelling Up, Minister for Housing and Communities and Deputy Prime Minister
  • Rachel Reeves – Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Lisa Nandy – Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
  • Lisa Kendall – Minister for Work and Pensions
  • Louise Haigh – Minister for Transport
  • Steve Reed – Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
  • Wes Streeting – Minister for Health and Social Affairs
  • Bridget Phillipson – Secretary of State for Education
  • Ed Miliband – Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero
  • Shabana Mahmood – Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
  • John Healey – Minister of Defence
  • Yvette Cooper – Minister of the Interior
  • David Lammy – Minister for Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth Affairs and Development
  • Pat McFadden – Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
  • Jonathan Reynolds – Minister of Economy and Trade and President of the Board of Trade
  • Sir Patrick Vallance – Minister of State for Science and Peer
  • James Timpson, British citizen – Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Parole and Peer
  • Lucy Powell – Lord President of the Council and Speaker of the House of Commons
  • Baroness Angela Smith of Basildon – Lord Privy Seal and Chairman of the House of Lords
  • Jo Stevens – Secretary of State for Wales
  • Hilary Benn – Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
  • Ian Murray – Secretary of State for Scotland

Salma OuaguiraJuly 7, 2024 05:30

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Voters reflect on symbolic victories and defeats in parliamentary elections

Voters have shared their thoughts on some legendary victories and defeats in parliamentary elections with The Independent, reports Canqi Li.

Several voters expressed their dislike of Nigel Farage. Jamie Park, 44, said: “I am saddened but not surprised that Farage won in his constituency.”

Linda McCutcheon, 42, from Glasgow, also noted: “Some of the things he says and spreads are dangerous.”

As for Liz Truss’s remarkable defeat in her constituency, Sam Pinder, 54, from West Yorkshire, said he reacted with a “huge smile”.

“History will not judge her well,” he added. Like Mr Pinder, Garry Hamilton, 47, from Glasgow, said he was “very happy” that Ms Truss was no longer an MP.

In addition, Leslie Harrison, 66, from East Yorkshire, said The Independent: “Truss’ defeat was one of the highlights of this election for me.”

Sam Pinder shares his thoughts on the election with The Independent
Sam Pinder shares his thoughts on the election with The Independent (source)

Salma OuaguiraJuly 7, 2024 05:00