- Biden, Tinubu, World Leaders Congratulate Him
Newly elected Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer will hold a first meeting of his new cabinet later this morning, Saturday, July 6, 2024 after vowing to start work “immediately”
Sir Starmer took the keys to 10 Downing Street on Friday after voters handed Labour a landslide victory in the General Election.
He took over from Rishi Sunak, who vacated No 10 after the Conservatives suffered a crushing defeat after 14 years in power.
The new Cabinet, which was appointed on Friday, will meet for the first time on Saturday morning.
His new cabinet includes Rachel Reeves as chancellor, Angela Rayner as Deputy Leader and Yvette Cooper as Home Secretary.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Congratulates UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, Labour Party Over Election Victory
Appointments of junior ministers are also set to continue.
Sir Keir has indicated that at least three housing announcements could be made in the first two weeks of a Labour Government.
He will also be in Washington DC next week for NATO’s 75th anniversary summit, which starts on Tuesday.
It will be first foreign trip as prime minister and a key moment to further strengthen ties between Westminster and DC.
Meanwhile, the Labour party’s thumping general election victory, which ended 14 years of Conservative party rule in the UK, drew congratulations from leaders around the world – and reminded Keir Starmer of the complex global challenges he will have to navigate as prime minister.
US President, Joe Biden, his Nigerian counterpart, Bola Ahmed Tinubu joined a host of other world leaders to congratulate Sir Starmer on the resounding victory.
President Biden expressed his readiness to work with the new Prime Minister, Starmer, while vowing to strengthen the relationship between the US and UK under Starmer’s tenure.
READ ALSO: Peter Obi Seeks UK’s Help To Deepen Nigeria’s Democracy
In a post on his X page, the US president congratulated Starmer on his emergence as PM.
According to Biden: “Congratulations to Prime Minister Keir Starmer on becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
“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.”
On his part, President Tinubu in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, on Friday in Abuja, noted the determination and courage the incoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom demonstrated throughout his years in the opposition, and as the leader of the Labour Party.
The president stated that the party’s ability to reform, mobilise, and position itself for victory after 14 years, affirmed the leadership qualities of Starmer.
President Tinubu also congratulated the citizens and the government of the United Kingdom, describing the kingdom as an abiding model of democracy and Nigeria’s long-standing partner.
The president added that he looked forward to deepening relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom in mutual areas of interest, and in strengthening democratic institutions, as well as in building a safer and more prosperous future for the people of both countries.
Congratulatory messages have also poured in from Australian Prime Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy; The European Council president, Charles Michel amongst others.
