Keir Starmer has become the United Kingdom’s new prime minister after his centre-left opposition Labour Party swept to a landslide victory, ending 14 years of Conservative rule.
“The work for change begins immediately,” Starmer said in a speech outside 10 Downing Street, the prime minister’s official residence. “We will rebuild Britain. …. Brick by brick, we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity.”
Here are reactions to his historic win from around the world:
French President Emmanuel Macron
“Pleased with our first discussion. We will continue the work begun with the UK for our bilateral cooperation, for peace and security in Europe, for the climate and for AI,” Macron posted on X.
Congratulations Sir @Keir_Starmer on your victory. Pleased with our first discussion.
We will continue the work begun with the UK for our bilateral cooperation, for peace and security in Europe, for the climate and for AI.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 5, 2024
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
“I’d like to salute Keir Starmer, the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for the Labour Party. I wish you a great term. Count on Brazil to strengthen the diplomatic ties between our countries, sustainable development and democracy” Lula posted on X.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris
“Keir Starmer has brought the Labour Party a comprehensive victory. … The relationship between Ireland and the UK is deeply consequential for all people across these islands,” Harris said in a statement. “I look forward to early engagement with the incoming Prime Minister.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
“Ukraine and the United Kingdom have been and will continue to be reliable allies through thick and thin. We will continue to defend and advance our common values of life, freedom, and a rules-based international order. I wish the incoming government every success both in domestic affairs and in solidifying the UK’s leadership on the world stage. I look forward to working closely together on strengthening the Ukraine-UK partnership and restoring international peace and security,” Zelenskyy posted on X.
He also thanked outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his government’s “steadfast support”.
Congratulations to @Keir_Starmer and @UKLabour on their convincing election victory.
Ukraine and the United Kingdom have been and will continue to be reliable allies through thick and thin. We will continue to defend and advance our common values of life, freedom, and a…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 5, 2024
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg
“He’s a strong supporter of NATO, of the transatlantic alliance,” Stoltenberg said, congratulating Starmer.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
“I look forward to working with you in a constructive partnership to address common challenges and strengthen European security,” von der Leyen posted on X.
European Council President Charles Michel
“The European Union and the UK are crucial partners, cooperating in all areas of mutual interest for our citizens. I look forward to working with you and your government in this new cycle for the UK,” Michel said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
“We have a strong relationship between our two countries, but in Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner and so many others who I am very familiar with in the British Labour Party, I look forward very much to working with them,” Albanese told reporters.
“They have very similar views to us on a range of issues. I’m sure we’ll work closely on AUKUS, where we worked very closely as well with the former government,” he said, referring to Australia’s security alliance with the UK and the United States.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
El-Sisi congratulated Starmer in a statement issued by his presidential office. He said he looked to continue cooperation between the UK and Egypt “to achieve development and stability at the international and regional levels.”
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
In a post on X, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) president said he looks forward to working with Starmer “to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between our countries”.
I extend my congratulations to @Keir_Starmer on becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and I look forward to working together to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between our countries.
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) July 5, 2024
US President Joe Biden
“Congratulations to Prime Minister Keir Starmer on becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom” Joe Biden wrote in a post on X.
“I look forward to our shared work in support of freedom and democracy around the world, and to further strengthening the special relationship between our two countries”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
“Lots of work ahead to build a more progressive, fair future for people on both sides of the Atlantic. Let’s get to it, my friend,” Trudeau posted on X.
Congratulations, @Keir_Starmer, on a historic U.K. election victory.
Lots of work ahead to build a more progressive, fair future for people on both sides of the Atlantic. Let’s get to it, my friend. pic.twitter.com/QWlNF9NYcJ
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 5, 2024
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon
“New Zealand and the UK are great friends and can do so much more together. I look forward to working on every opportunity together as prime ministers. Thank you @RishiSunak for your service to your nation and friendship to New Zealand,” he posted on X.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
“Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to @Keir_Starmer on the remarkable victory,” Modi wrote on X. “I look forward to our positive and constructive collaboration … fostering mutual growth and prosperity.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog
“I look forward to working together with him [Starmer] and his new government to bring our hostages home, to build a better future for the region, and to deepen the close friendship between Israel and the United Kingdom,” Herzog said on X.
Herzog also expressed “deepest “appreciation and gratitude” to Sunak “for standing with the Israeli people especially during this most difficult period”.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store
“Voters have given the British Labour Party a historically strong mandate to change its course, give people in Great Britain more money in their pockets and strengthen state schools and the National Health Service. I wish Starmer the very best and good luck with a very important job,” he told the NTB news agency.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo
“The UK is amongst Finland’s most important security and economic partners. I look forward to continuing our close cooperation and deepening the excellent relations between our countries,” Orpo posted on X.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson
“As close friends and Allies, I am looking forward to working with you to enhance our common security and prosperity,” Kristersson posted on X.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
“I am delighted about the election victory of the leader of our sister party in the UK”, Scholz said in a statement.
He added that he knows Starmer personally and believes he “will be a very good, very successful prime minister… I also have the impression that we won’t have much trouble developing relations between Europe and the UK and between Germany and the UK”.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
In a post on X, Meloni congratulated Starmer on “his election success”, adding that “relations between Italy and the United Kingdom are excellent and I’m sure we’ll continue to cultivate a relationship of strong and reliable cooperation between our great nations”.
She also thanked her “friend Rishi Sunak for these years of intense cooperation and sincere friendship…”.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez
In a post on X, Sanchez congratulated both Starmer and the Labour Party on their win in the general elections.
“Spain and the United Kingdom are friendly, partner and allied countries. We will continue to work together to address global challenges based on the values we share,” he said.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas
In a post on X, Kallas congratulated Starmer, adding, “Estonia and the UK are the strongest of allies and the closest of friends. The UK’s commitment to our common security is valued by every Estonian. I’m sure our excellent cooperation will only continue to thrive”.
