UK Names New Prime Minister
King Charles III of Britain formally named Labour leader Keir Starmer as prime minister on Friday during a meeting at Buckingham Palace. The queen and Starmer, whose party achieved a huge election victory, were seen shaking hands in a photo made public by the palace.
The king earlier accepted the resignation of Conservative leader Rishi Sunak.
“The King received in audience The Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer MP today and requested him to form a new Administration,” a palace statement read.
“Sir Keir accepted His Majesty’s offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.”
Following his center-left opposition Labour party’s resounding victory in the general election, Keir Starmer was sworn in as the new prime minister of Britain. It puts an end to the right-wing Conservatives’ 14-year rule.
In a related development, following his Conservatives’ crushing defeat by Labour in the UK general election, Rishi Sunak expressed regret to the people on Friday and announced his resignation as party leader.
The 44-year-old former financier took a risk by travelling to the nation six months ahead of schedule in the hopes that improved economic statistics would turn the tide of public opinion in favour of the Conservatives.
However, Thursday’s result suggested that, following 14 years of economic misery, turmoil around Brexit, and internal Tory division, Britons wished to make a strong statement to the party by ousting them from office.
“To the country, I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry,” he said outside the Prime Minister’s residence at Downing Street, before heading to Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation as prime minister to King Charles III.