Keir Starmer Takes Helm as UK's 58th Prime Minister, Succeeding Rishi Sunak

Tags: International News

Keir Starmer of the Labour Party became the 58th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on July 5, 2024, succeeding Rishi Sunak.

An Overview of the News

• Labour secured 412 seats, an increase of 211, while the Conservative Party received 121 seats, a decrease of 250, in the 650-seat House of Commons.

• Labour garnered 35% of the votes, compared to the Conservative Party's 24%.

Historical Significance:

• Keir Starmer's election marks the return of the Labour Party to power after 14 years, since Gordon Brown's tenure from 2007 to 2010.

• He is the first Labour Party leader to win a general election since Tony Blair's leadership from 1997 to 2007.

Career Background:

• Prior to becoming Prime Minister, Keir Starmer served as Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union from 2016 to 2020 and as Shadow Immigration Minister from 2015 to 2016.

• He was knighted as Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2014 New Year Honours for his contributions to law and criminal justice.

• Historical Note: Keir Starmer is the first Knight of the realm to become Prime Minister since Sir Alec Douglas-Home in 1963.

NOTE - Rishi Sunak makes history as the first British Asian and Hindu as Prime Minister of the UK, holding the post from October 2022 to July 5, 2024.

About UK

• The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, often referred to as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is situated in Northwestern Europe.

• It includes four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

• Geographically, it is located off the coast of the continental mainland of Europe.

• Capital - London

• Prime Minister - Keir Starmer