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As Sir Keir Starmer begins to appoint his new cabinet, Nigel Farage’s celebratory press conference was interrupted by hecklers.
Deputy leader Angela Rayner, Rachel Reeves and Wes Streeting were among the senior Labour Party members seen arriving at Downing Street after Labour secured a historic election landslide.
Elsewhere, Nigel Farage was booed and heckled by a string of audience members at his press conference in London after his party won four seats.
The Reform UK leader mocked the hecklers: “He’s absolutely steaming isn’t he? That’s alright there’s still plenty of beer left in the pub mate.”
Labour has emerged from the general election with one of the biggest parliamentary majorities in history, having won 412 seats. That is a majority of 176, with results from the last two seats still to come.
Earlier, Rishi Sunak apologised to the country as he left Downing Street and resigned as both prime minister and party leader this morning.
The Conservatives have won just 121 seats. Liz Truss, Penny Mordaunt and Jacob Rees-Mogg are among a host of senior Tories to have lost.
The Liberal Democrats have won 71 seats and the Green Party has also picked up four seats, the SNP nine and Plaid Cymru four.
Key Points
- Angela Rayner arrived at No 10 as Starmer appoints cabinet
- Protesters marched out of Farage speech
- PM vows to ‘rebuild the country’ in speech
- Sunak steps down as party leader in final speech
- Truss, Mordaunt, Rees-Mogg and Shapps among senior Tories to lose seats
Angela Rayner arrives at No 10
Angela Rayner has arrived at Downing Street as new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer begins to appoint his Cabinet.
She could be announced as the PM’s deputy shortly.
Pinned: As the sun shone, a new PM outside 10 Downing Street
Sir Keir Starmer has adressed the nation as prime minister after Labour won a parliamentary majority of at least 176 in a landslide election win.
Speaking from outside Number 10 before a cheering crowd, he:
- Opened by paying tribute to Rishi Sunak as the first British Asian PM and thanked him for his “dedication and hard work”.
- Promised his new government “will serve” the country and deliver the change needed to rebuild trust in UK politics. “This wound, this lack of trust can only be healed by actions, not words,” the Labour leader said.
- Vowed to “fight every day” until people start believing in thr power of politics again. He told the nation he is committed to rule by “country first, party second”.
- Reminded people that he now has a clear mandate and will use it to “deliver change”. Thanking the audience, he said: “Our work is urgent and we begin it today.”
Jonathan Reynolds arrives at No 10
The shadow business secertary has arrived at Downing Street.
Angela Rayner appointed as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Angela Rayner has been appointed as both Deputy prime minister and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Athena Stavrou5 July 2024 15:19 1720189078Yvette Cooper arrives at Downing Street
The shadow home secretary has arrived at Downing Street as the prime minister annnounces the new Labour cabinet.
Asked by reporters if she was looking forward to a Labour government, Yvette Cooper replied: “Good afternoon.”
Watch: Nigel Farage heckled by several protesters during first speech as MP
David Cameron has thanked Rishi Sunak for his leadership as the Conservative Party suffered brutal losses in yesterday’s general election.
Lord Cameron, who served as Foreign Secretary in Sunak’s cabinet, wrote on X: “The change of Prime Minister and government is always a hugely significant moment for our country.
“I pay tribute to @RishiSunak for his leadership, decency and the grace in which he left office today. I wish him and his family well. My thoughts are also with our new Prime Minister, @Keir_Starmer.
“His success will be our success, so as he starts his work and solemn duties in No10, I send him my very best wishes.
His comment comes as his former seat of Witney was gained by Labour.
Athena Stavrou5 July 2024 15:16 1720188902Farage ‘launching criminal legal action’ against Vetting.Com
Nigel Farage has said he is “launching criminal legal action” against Colin Bloom of Vetting.Com as he vowed to “professionalise” Reform UK.
Facing a question about the racism row engulfing the party, its leader again blamed the firm it contracted to vet candidates.
He also said: “I made it clear that Ukip would be a non-racist, non-sectarian party, and in the end it was.
“I will jolly well make sure, starting today, that we do not want people with desperately unpleasant views. We will not tolerate people with these views. They will be gone.
“And we’ll have the funding after this, we’ll have the support coming in to be able to absolutely professionalise the party. This will never happen again.”
It comes as the vetting company hired by Reform UK was accused by the leader of failing to run background checks on its candidates in time for the general election.
Salma Ouaguira5 July 2024 15:15 1720188797Channel 4 journalist booed during Reform event
Nigel Farage took a question from a Channel 4 journalist and said “this should be good” before she was given a microphone which was met with cheers from the audience.
Before she asked the question he said “stitch-up merchants, go on”.
It comes as the Reform leader blasted the broadcaster over the investigation into party campaigners who were caught using offensive language including a racist slur against Rishi Sunak.
Salma Ouaguira5 July 2024 15:13 1720188614Bridget Phillipson ninth Labour arrival at No10
Wearing a lavender-coloured dress, Bridget Phillipson entered No 10 shortly after 3pm.
Ms Phillipson did not give any comment to reporters as she approached No 10, but smiled as she walked towards the building.
She was followed by Yvette Cooper – one of the few people set to be appointed to Sir Keir’s Cabinet who has previously served in a ministerial position, having been Work and Pensions Secretary under Gordon Brown.
Salma Ouaguira5 July 2024 15:10 Newer1 / 8OlderDisclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
