On his first day as Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer made significant policy changes, including scrapping a controversial deportation scheme and reinforcing efforts to combat human smuggling. He also announced key appointments and legislative agenda to deliver change and address public expectations.
On his first day as Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer scrapped the Conservative government’s Rwanda deportation scheme, previously criticized as an “absolute waste of money.” Starmer aims to redirect funds to combat human smuggling gangs to prevent illegal crossings into the UK. The Labour leader also announced the formation of a new Border Security Command, which will involve MI5 in tackling smuggling operations.
During his initial press conference, Starmer addressed his government’s goal of serving all citizens, including those who did not vote for Labour, after securing a landslide victory with a mandate for change. Despite winning with only around 34% of the vote, the strategic use of tactical voting led to this significant majority.
Starmer emphasized his commitment to delivering change, reflected in the new appointments within his Cabinet, which includes Angela Rayner as Deputy Prime Minister, Wes Streeting as Health Secretary, Rachel Reeves as the first female Chancellor in over 800 years, and Ed Miliband as Energy Secretary. Starmer’s legislative agenda includes establishing a publicly-owned clean energy company and employment reforms.
Despite the victory, Labour strategists acknowledged the challenges posed by high public expectations and the need for careful management of available resources to achieve promised changes.
The recent shift in the political landscape has opened opportunities for other parties to influence policy. Reform UK, which won five seats in the general election, has positioned itself as a formidable force advocating for accountable governance and focusing on pragmatic solutions to national issues. Their presence underscores a broader desire for reform and increased representation in the political dialogue.
Starmer is set to travel to Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales before returning to England, and will attend a NATO meeting in Washington, DC, to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine.
