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Keir Starmer vows to serve all of Scotland — as it happened
2024-07
Listen to live updates through the day on Times Radio
On his second full day as prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer embarked on a tour of the four nations of the UK.
He started in Edinburgh before he is set to travel to Northern Ireland and Wales as he pursues an “immediate reset” of the relationship between Westminster and the devolved nations.
The PM also spoke with the Palestinian and Israeli leaders on Sunday
The Labour leader said that work has already begun to build closer ties with the European Union following his party’s landslide election win.
The prime minister said he wanted better trading and security relationships with Brussels as he vowed to rip up the “botched” deal struck by Boris Johnson.
David Lammy, the foreign secretary, has already travelled to Europe for talks with key players, with a promise that the UK would be a “good neighbour” after the years of Brexit acrimony.
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‘Country first, party second’
Sir Keir Starmer said he would use his talks with John Swinney, the first minister, to “set the framework within which we can work, I think, better for Scotland, more respectfully for Scotland”.
With Labour set to take on the SNP again in 2026 in the Scottish elections, Starmer insisted he would follow his “country first, party second” mantra in talks with Swinney.
The prime minister said: “I am going to see the first minister and I intend to reset the relationship between the Westminster government and the Scottish government.”
Healey visits Ukraine
John Healey met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, in Odesa IGOR TKACHENKO/EPA
John Healey, the new defence secretary, has visited the Ukrainian port city of Odesa.
President Zelensky posted a photo showing Healey taking part in a remembrance service in the southern city.
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The Ukrainian president wrote on social media site Twitter/X: “Ukrainian Navy Day. Odesa. We honour the memory of our warriors who gave their lives for Ukraine.”
Can the SNP recover from Labour landslide?
The flags sent a message. As Sir Keir Starmer, accompanied by his wife Victoria, made his way to Downing Street on Friday morning the new prime minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was saluted by saltires as well as Union Jacks.
The blue and white cross, appropriated by the SNP for many years as though it were the nationalists’ own banner, was waved to greet a Labour prime minister. The Labour Party is now Britain’s national party, they said.
Labour won a landslide victory in Scotland with 37 seats — a gain of 36 — while the SNP lost half a million votes and secured only nine seats compared with the 48 they won in 2019. The Scottish Conservative vote share was almost halved but returned five MPs — one less than the last general election — and the Scottish Lib Dems secured six seats.
Read the full story here: Can the SNP recover from Labour landslide?
Jam-packed first week
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The PM’s whistlestop tour of the UK comes ahead of a packed first full week in office, with little time to settle in at No 10.
Following the trip to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Sir Keir Starmer will prepare to head to the Nato summit in Washington on Tuesday.
Starmer: Thank you to every single person
Sir Keir Starmer added: “We govern humbly, saying thank you to every single person in Scotland who put their trust and faith in the Labour Party to bring about the change that they need.
“To those people who didn’t vote Labour, I want to directly address you too because we will serve the entirety of Scotland, we’ll serve every single person in Scotland because that change matters to everyone and that is how we go forward.”
Reset on how we work with first ministers, Starmer says
Sir Keir Starmer during an event in Edinburgh to welcome new Labour MPs in Scotland ANDREW MILLIGAN/PA
The prime minister said he wants to “turn disagreement into co-operation” with the SNP north of the border.
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“People across the United Kingdom are bound by shared beliefs. Fundamental values of respect, service and community which define us as a great nation,” Sir Keir Starmer said.
“That begins today with an immediate reset of my government’s approach to working with the First and deputy first ministers, because meaningful co-operation centred on respect will be key to delivering change across our United Kingdom.
“Together we can begin the work to rebuild our country with a resolute focus on serving working people once again.”
‘We will serve the entirety of Scotland’
Sir Keir Starmer has made a speech after meeting with the Scottish Labour leader in Edinburgh.
He told the crowd: “I’m really pleased to be here”, after being introduced by Anas Sarwar.
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Starmer pledged: “We will serve the entirety of Scotland, we will serve every single person in Scotland because that change matters to everyone.”
He spoke of his campaign promise to Scots to enact change. He said he wanted to visit the country quickly after the election “to make good on that promise, to make good on that commitment at the first opportunity”, adding: “I’m here starting that work delivering for Scotland.”
The PM has embarked on his first UK tour after being elected. After visiting Scotland he will travel to Wales and Northern Ireland.
Jenrick: We lost because we got Brexit done but nothing else
We have suffered a crushing defeat. This was the Conservative Party’s worst result for centuries. Not only did we lose almost all of the “red” and “blue” walls, but vast swathes of our inner heartlands too (Robert Jenrick writes).
Among the casualties were countless hard-working colleagues, deeply motivated by public service, who fought to make their constituency — and our country — a better place. Their personal records were strong, but they were sunk by the Conservative Party brand.
What’s more, it could have been worse. We narrowly avoided being wiped out altogether. It seems we were granted a stay of execution by millions of conservatives deciding to hold their nose and vote Conservative in the final few days of the campaign.
Real the full story here: Jenrick: We lost because we got Brexit done but nothing else
‘There need be no more strikes’
The junior doctors’ strike could be resolved within a week if ministers “move quickly”, the BMA UK chairman has suggested.
Medics in training across the NHS walked out for five full days last month, leading to 61,989 appointments, procedures and operations being postponed.
Speaking to Kate McCann and Adam Boulton on Times Radio, Philip Banfield that said negotiations with Wes Streeting are set to begin next week.
He added: “The issue for the Conservative government is it insisted on stating junior doctors would not come to a deal. Clearly, that is false. This Labour government is straight away taking everyone at their word. And if they negotiate in good faith, there need be no more strikes.”
Starmer sets off
Sir Keir Starmer is embarking on his first tour of the UK as prime minister, starting with a visit to Edinburgh.
Sir Keir Starmer leaves Downing Street for his trip to Scotland JAMES MANNING/PA WIRE
He has appointed Ian Murray, a fan of Hearts FC, as Scotland secretary; Jo Stevens, the Welsh secretary, enjoys darts. Hilary Benn, a fourth-generation MP, is Northern Ireland secretary.
Read our full guide to the cabinet here: All the things you didn’t know about ‘Team Starmer’
Labour seeks ‘reset’ with EU
The foreign secretary has told his Polish counterpart that he wants to “reset” Britain’s relationship with the EU.
David Lammy with the Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski EPA
David Lammy said both nations shared “the same strategic vision” but added that he wanted “to go further”.
He told Radoslaw Sikorski: “Working together with you, I want to reset both our bilateral relationship and our relationship with the European Union. In particular, we want to double down on our commitment to Ukraine and, of course, European security, including … a new EU-UK security pact.”
Won’t somebody think of the satirists?
Sir Keir Starmer has promised that his government would “tread lightly on people’s lives” — but some will miss the oversized shoes of the Tory clown show.
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Barmy Brunch of the Monster Raving Loony Party were both beaten in North East Somerset & Hanham FINNBARR WEBSTER/GETTY IMAGES
Edward Tew, a writer on the Radio 4 comedy programme Dead Ringers, was sorry to see Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg lose his seat as the curtain fell on the Conservatives’ comedy revue.
Read the full story here: Farewell to the Tory clown show, a true satirist’s dream
Lammy warns China
The foreign secretary has told China to be “very careful” about deepening its involvement in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking during an official visit to Poland, David Lammy said: “I am concerned when I see Iranian drones turning up in Ukraine. I am concerned when I see shells from North Korea being used here on European soil. And of course, I’m concerned with the partnership that I see Russia brokering across those authoritarian states.
“I think that China should be very careful about deepening those partnerships over the coming weeks and months.”
The Labour lobby
Almost all of Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet is state-educated — but an analysis of the party’s entire Westminster cohort has thrown up some more interesting statistics.
Former consultants and those with backgrounds in business, finance and investment outweigh MPs whose previous jobs were as teachers, doctors and local government staff — professions traditionally associated with Labour — while new MPs who have held roles in lobbying or strategic communications doubled those from a trade union background.
Read the full story here: Out with union reps, in with lobbyists — the changing face of Labour
South Africa pledge on planet (and profits)
Continuing his calls with foreign leaders, Sir Keir Starmer has also pledged to work with President Ramaphosa of South Africa on climate change and economic growth.
Downing Street said the leaders had “reflected on the significance of South Africa’s state visit in 2022, noting that it was the first official state visit of His Majesty King Charles III’s reign”.
President Ramaphosa listens to the King during a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in November 2022 AARON CHOWN-POOL/GETTY IMAGES
Starmer talks to Middle East leaders
The recognition of a Palestinian state is the “undeniable right of Palestinians”, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
Speaking to the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, the prime minister said his immediate priorities included securing a ceasefire, the return of Hamas’s hostages and an increase in humanitarian aid.
In a separate call with Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, Starmer also set out “the clear and urgent need for a ceasefire, the return of hostages and an immediate increase in the volume of humanitarian aid reaching civilians”, Downing Street said.
How Rishi Sunak got stumped: the inside story of a disastrous campaign
In the minutes after England’s last-gasp win over Slovakia in Euro 2024 the Conservative campaign posted a picture on social media of Rishi Sunak celebrating with the words “It’s not over until it’s over.” Asked whether he saw himself as a Jude Bellingham figure, Sunak made clear his game is cricket not football. He was more likely to play a “flashy cover drive” than attempt a bicycle kick.
The truth is there was little flashy about Sunak’s political game. His cricketing heroes include Mike Atherton, a captain whose game was cautious occupation of the crease and a slow accumulation of runs. It was this he tried to emulate as prime minister.
For many Tory MPs, however, his performance too often resembled a club cricketer struggling to hit the ball off the square. His decision to swing for the boundary and call the election was the final fling of the bat by a man who had not put enough runs on the board in the early overs — with the inevitable cartwheeling of cricket stumps and Tory hopes.
Read the full story here: How Rishi Sunak got stumped: the inside story of a disastrous campaign
Exit music
A piano and a sofa were among items being loaded into removal lorries at Downing Street this morning.
An upright piano is loaded into a lorry, ready to leave Downing Street JAMES MANNING/PA
Sir Keir Starmer told reporters yesterday: “We’re not unpacked quite yet … we’ll be moving in soon but there’s a bit of work to do before then.”
Staff were seen stowing a mattress, red sofa and upright piano. Rachel Reeves, a former chess champion, will have enjoyed the name of the removals firm: Bishop’s Move.
The red benches will be full in the Commons — but this one has been removed JAMES MANNING/PA
Lady Starmer ‘dreading Downing Street’
Victoria Starmer (or Vic, as she is usually known) is described as the prime minister’s “rock” by a friend.
The couple, who have a close-knit community in Kentish Town, know living above the shop and under the spotlight in No 10 will be a challenge for them — and their children, a 16-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter.
The Starmers shared a rare public kiss on Friday after Labour’s election victory JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
• Read more about the NHS worker who could be the PM’s biggest asset.
Blair’s call for ID cards rejected
A cabinet minister has ruled out the introduction of digital ID cards after Sir Tony Blair argued the technology would help control immigration.
Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary, told Times Radio that the digital documents were not part of the government’s plans.
Sources close to Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, also indicated that ID cards were not Labour policy.
Writing in The Sunday Times, Blair said he believed the best solution to control immigration was “a system of identity so that we know precisely who has a right to be here”. Reynolds said this morning: “I can rule out ID cards.”
Davey vows to be voice of carers
Sir Ed Davey has said the Liberal Democrats would offer “constructive opposition” to the government.
Davey said his party would push ministers to go further on healthcare, pointing out that Labour’s manifesto did not mention either unpaid or family carers.
“I’ve made very clear that the Liberal Democrats will be the voice of carers,” the party’s leader said. “We will challenge the government to make sure they deliver for the millions of people looking after their loved ones.”
Who will stand to replace Sunak?
Victoria Atkins and Robert Jenrick have dodged the question this morning, but both former ministers are expected to be among the contenders for the Tory throne.
Penny Mordaunt and Grant Shapps are out of the running, having lost their seats last week, with Kemi Badenoch the firm favourite.
Read our rundown of the likely leadership candidates.
Conservative Party ‘needs rebranding’
A former Conservative minister has said the party should be “put out of its misery”.
Marcus Fysh claimed the remaining Tory MPs want to be on the centre-left of politics rather than the centre-right. He told Times Radio: “I honestly don’t think [the party is] viable, I don’t think it works any more … I would actually dissolve the corporate entity of the party and I would start again with a new brand, a new leader and everything.”
Fysh, who lost his seat in Yeovil, Somerset, to the Liberal Democrats as they overturned a 16,000 majority, served as the minister for exports under Liz Truss.
Jenrick: Tories must change
The Conservative Party needs to take a “fundamentally different approach” if it is to win back the trust of the voters, the former immigration minister Robert Jenrick has said.
Jenrick, who is likely to stand to replace Rishi Sunak, said the Tories lost the election because they failed to deliver on key promises such as immigration, the NHS and growth.
Jenrick is expected to challenge for the Tory leadership JEFF OVERS/BBC/PA WIRE
“We will only begin the long road of winning back voters if we are honest,” he told the BBC. “We said we would do whatever it takes [to bring down immigration]. We did not do whatever it takes.”
Jenrick refused to say whether he would stand for the leadership, but said he would support a long campaign.
Britain ‘still conservative’
Britons are still “instinctively conservative” despite the Tory party’s election defeat, Victoria Atkins has said.
Labour’s support was “spread very thinly, a little bit like margarine”, the shadow health secretary claimed.
The Conservatives can “rebuild” after having been reduced to 121 MPs, Atkins said. “We will get there.” She told the BBC: “In terms of their values, their instincts, [Britons] are, I believe, still instinctively conservative.”
Too soon for Tory leadership talk?
Atkins refused three times to rule out running to be the next Conservative leader.
The former health secretary did say, however, that it would be wrong for any Tory MP to be “talking about their own ambitions” so soon after the election.
Victoria Atkins has been described as the future of the Tory party by Theresa May ALAMY
She suggested that her remaining colleagues should wait to regroup in parliament next week before deciding what to do next — and must demonstrate they had heard the “very loud messages” sent by voters on Thursday.
Chancellor urged to borrow more
Rachel Reeves must borrow more money to invest in public services, the leader of one of Labour’s biggest union backers has said.
Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, said the chancellor would need to alter her fiscal rules to promote faster economic growth. “Public services need new money,” Graham said. “We are going to have to borrow to invest.”
Boost for unions
Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary, has said Labour will quickly push ahead with plans to scrap Conservative anti-union legislation.
Jonathan Reynolds on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. He said he could “rule out” ID cards BBC
Reynolds told the BBC that Labour would publish its plans for workers’ rights shortly, describing them as an “important part” of the government’s economic programme.
He said the plans would be subject to consultation, but hinted that Labour would move faster to scrap legislation on minimum service levels during strikes in the public sector.
Lammy’s European charm offensive
David Lammy, the foreign secretary, said Britain should move on from Brexit and “start reconnecting with the world”.
In an interview with The Guardian before his first official visit to Germany, Lammy ruled out a return to the European single market and customs union but said: “Let us put the Brexit years behind us … I want to be absolutely clear, European nations are our friends.”
Lammy is due to meet officials in Poland and Sweden today.
Starmer heads to Scotland
Starmer vowed to put Scotland “at the beating heart of everything we do” before talks with John Swinney, the first minister.
In a press conference on Saturday, Sir Keir Starmer confirmed he would visit Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the coming days CLAUDIA GRECO-WPA POOL/GETTY IMAGES
The prime minister is due to meet the SNP leader in Edinburgh today as he tours the UK before leaving for the US on Tuesday for a Nato summit in Washington.
Starmer said he was offering the Scottish government “meaningful co-operation and a genuine seat at the table”. He added: “To the people of Scotland, my message is simple and clear: You are at the heart of how we unleash prosperity across the country. We will rebuild a strong Scotland at the forefront of our decade of national renewal.”
[END]
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